Advertisement Holmen’s population grew from 6,200 in the 2000 census to 7,899 for the 2008 population estimate. La Crosse County’s overall population grew 5.3 percent between the 2000 census count of 107,120 and the 2008 preliminary population estimate of 112,758.
The town of Hamilton followed Holmen in growth rate, recording a 16.3 percent increase from the 2000 census of 2,103 to the 2008 estimate of 2,446. The town of Greenfield was the third growth area with an increase from the 2000 census of 1,538 to the 2008 estimate of 1,759, or a 14.4-percent increase. The city of Onalaska came in fourth with an increase of 12.3 percent, from 14,839 to 16,660.
The town of Holland came in fifth with a population increase of 12 percent, from 3,042 to 3,406.
The town of Onalaska went from 5,210 to 5,524, an increase of 6 percent. Medary grew by 7 percent, going from 1,463 to 1,565. La Crosse’s population was practically flat, gaining only 22 residents with an estimated 2008 population of 51,840.The county grew by 5.3 percent, going from 107,120 to 112,758.
Holmen
Holmen Village President John Chapman said he thinks the numbers are even higher than the estimates. He recalled the 2000 estimate was 5,224 but the actual census was 6,200. He thinks there is a similar shortage between the 2008 estimate and actual.
“It is difficult to estimate. I can’t say we’re at 9,000, but we’re greater than 8,000, closer to 8,500,” he said.
Chapman attributes the growth to numerous factors. “We’ve got a great school district,” he said. “People come here just so their kids can go to school in Holmen. We’ve got developable land, excellent transportation, a great parks and recreation program, the aquatic center. It’s a great community to live in and there are great service organizations making contributions to the community every year.”
Onalaska
In contrast to Holmen’s rapid growth, the city of Onalaska remains content with a steady lower rate. Preliminary estimates show the city’s population grew from 14,839 in 2000 to 16,660 in the 2008 preliminary estimates, a 12.3-percent increase.
Mayor Mike Giese attributes the growth to the proximity of good paying jobs, excellent schools and a well-run city planning and business development department. “We have a beautiful environment and when you put all that together, it’s just fine,” he said.
Giese hopes to continue steady growth at around 10 percent each year. “You wouldn’t want it any faster than that,” he said. “You’d be trying to replicate a city and its functions every six years. It’s best for efficient administration and service levels to not have peaks and valleys.
“It would be ill advised to get too ahead of the curve,” Giese continued. “One of the advantages to the proposed boundary agreement (with West Salem and Hamilton) would be to manage that growth and manage the infrastructure and build-out.”
With steady growth of around 10 percent a year, the city maintains the capacity for new development until 2020, Giese said. Combining that with infill and growth within the city through annexation, the city will be plenty busy.
Hamilton
Although the town lost some population due to annexations, the town of Hamilton recorded a 16.3 percent increase in its population, from 2,103 in 2000 to 2,446 in 2008.
“A lot of people are wanting to get out in the country,” said Town Chairman Dick Schomberg. “With the subdivisions and the settlements, we’ve moved in quite a few people.”
Despite the growth, Schomberg said he is seeing a decline in building permits. “We usually put up about 35 houses per year. We’re way down from the normal, somewhere around 18.”
West Salem
Village President Dennis Manthei said he believes the prospect for growth in West Salem is good.
“We’re in a case where general housing’s gone down,” he said of West Salem’s small increase in population from 4,738 to 4,852, or 2.4 percent.
He also believes the numbers are probably much higher than the estimates. The state bases estimates on vehicle registrations, among other things, and that might not give a complete picture. For example, Manthei siad, “we had 50 some older folks that sold their homes and moved into Salem Terrace. They also sold their cars and stopped filing tax returns
“When you get old you don’t have to file taxes,” he continued. “So the data shows fewer tax returns, less population. I’m not sure all that was counted. If they did this on statistical basis, they are not counting these people and won’t until 2010.”
Despite the overall slow economy, Manthei said he is feeling positive for the village overall mostly due to job growth. “We’ve got 300 additional jobs in the business park. People are coming from Winona, Sparta, Onalaska and all over. That’s the good news.”
Contact Jo Anne Killeen at joanne.killeen@lee.net or 786-6816.
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