PSU Report: Union Co. population growth sluggish

Oregon’s flat population growth in 2009 extends to local areas of Northeast Oregon, according to the latest Portland State University estimates.

Each year at this time, PSU releases its preliminary population estimates for the state, counties and cities. The estimates are compiled in July.

This year’s estimates say that Oregon’s population growth dropped below 1 percent. The 2009 figures represent Oregon’s slowest rate of annual growth in 10 years.

PSU estimated Union County’s population at 25,470 in July of this year, a figure less than a 10th of a percentage point above 2008’s number. In July 2008, the county had 110 fewer people, 25,360.

La Grande, the Union County seat and the region’s economic hub, had 13,085 residents in July 2009. Of the other incorporated cities, North Powder had 510, Island City had 1,030, Union 1,960, Elgin 1,705, Imbler 295 and Summerville 120.

Though Union County as a whole grew at less than half the state rate, the cities of

La Grande, Island City and North Powder all grew faster. La Grande’s increase over 2008 was 1.2 percent, Island City’s 3.5 percent and North Powder’s 2 percent.

Wallowa County’s population slipped .2 percent between July 2008 and July 2009, from 7,115 to 7,100.

Enterprise remained the most populous of Wallowa County’s incorporated cities, with 1,975 residents. Joseph had 1,120, Wallowa 890 and Lostine 250.