Statistics: Colfax grew 4.3 percent in 20 years

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX — The Village of Colfax has increased its population by 4.3 percent over the 20 last years.

By contrast, the Town of Elk Mound has increased its population by 132 percent over the same time period, and the Village of Elk Mound has increased by 10.2 percent.

 Patrick Beilfuss, a senior planner with Cedar Corporation who has been hired by the village to help the Colfax Plan Commission update the Smart Growth comprehensive plan, presented a variety of demographic information to the plan commission at the May 7 meeting.

Of the seven villages in Dunn County, only Downing has lost population over the last 20 years.

In 1990, Downing had a population of 269. In 2010, Downing had a population of 264, representing a 1.5 percent decrease.

Boyceville, on the other hand, has increased its population by 18.9 percent over 20 years, going from 913 in 1990, to 1,086 in 2010.

Knapp has increased its population by 10 percent, going from 421 in 1990 to 463 in 2010.

Ridgeland also has increased its population.

In 1990, Ridgeland had a population of 235, and in 2010, had a population of 273, representing a 16.2 percent increase.

The Village of Wheeler has increased its population by 6.4 percent, going from 327 in 1990 to 348 in 2010.

Towns

Of the 22 townships in Dunn County, only two have lost population over the last 20 years: Eau Galle and Sheridan.

Eau Galle went from 856 in 1990 to 757 in 2010, a loss of 11.6 percent.

Sheridan went from 484 in 1990 to 454 in 2010, a loss 6.2 percent.

Over the last 40 years, the population of Colfax has increased by 12.7 percent, going from 1,026 in 1970, to 1,149 in 1980, to 1,110 in 1990, 1,136 in 2000, and to 1,158 in 2010.

According to the statistics, over the last 20 years, Boyceville and Ridgeland have increased their populations more than Colfax has increased over 40 years.

Since 1990, Dunn County as a whole has increased its population by 22.1 percent, going from 35,909 in 1990 to 43,857 — an increase of 7,948.

Over the next 20 years, Colfax is projected to increase its population by 7.3 percent, or by 84 people.

Age range

Over the last 20 years, children in Colfax five years old or younger have increased by 41.4 percent, going from 70 in 2000 to 99 in 2010.

Children from five to nine years, however, have decreased by 30 percent, going from 80 in 2000 to 56 in 2010.

Youngsters ranging in age from ten to 14 years have remained constant over 20 years, with 78 counted in 2000 and 78 counted in 2010.

Teenagers, from 15 to 19 years old, have increased by 15.1 percent, going from 73 in 2000 to 84 in 2010.

Those ranging in age from 20 to 24 have increased by 10 percent, going from 46 to 51, while the number of people ranging in age from 25 to 29 has decreased by 18.5 percent, going from 65 to 53.

People aged 35 to 39 in Colfax have decreased by 22.2 percent, going from 90 in 1990 to 70 in 2010.

Those aged between 70 and 74 have decreased by 31.6 percent, and those aged 75 to 79 have decreased by 35.8 percent.

People aged 80 to 84 have increased by 5.8 percent, going from 52 in 2000 to 55 in 2010.

People over 85 years old have increased too, going from 51 in 2000 to 66 in 2010.

Homes

Of the 482 homes in Colfax, 11 have been built since 2009.

Two homes were built between 2000 and 2004, and 9 homes were built in 2005 or later.

A little more than half of the houses in Colfax were built before 1950.

A total of 156 houses were built in 1939 or earlier.

From 2000 to 2011, the median value of owner-occupied homes in Colfax went from $67,500  to $103,500.

In 2011, Colfax had 27 homes valued at less than $50,000, while 111 were valued between $50,000 and $99,000.

Colfax had 136 homes valued at $100,000 to $149,999 in 2011, while 15 were valued over $150,000.

Six houses were valued over $200,000, and three houses were valued at $300,000 or more.