By Starrla Cray
Staff Writer

DELANO, WRIGHT COUNTY, MN – Wright County is among the fastest growing counties in the state, according to data from the 2010 census.

From 2000 to 2010, Wright County had an increase of nearly 35,000 residents or 39 percent.

Local cities also grew in the past 10 years.

Montrose’s population more than doubled, from 1,143 residents to 2,847.

Delano also had substantial growth, from 3,837 to 5,464 residents.

In fact, all of the cities in the area experienced higher than average growth percentages.

Statewide, the population went up 384,433 people or 7.8 percent.

Local townships, however, did not see large increases, and some even had a decline.

Franklin Township lost 14 residents, and Woodland Township lost 55 residents.

Middleville Township had 1.3 percent gain of 12 residents.

The city of Delano plans to use the census data to see how the population has changed over time, as well as prepare for future changes, according to Delano City Administrator Phil Kern.

“It was good to see that the actual census figures and the previous estimates of population were so close,” Kern noted. “It tells us that the methods used to estimate population work well.”

The 2009 state demographer estimated Delano’s population at 5,389. The city estimated a growth of about 40 people, making the 2010 estimate about 5,429, a difference of only 36 from the actual data.

Housing changes also can help cities plan for the future.

“The housing stock in the city, compared to 2010, provides more empty-nester, senior, and affordable housing options,” Kern noted. “Therefore, we would expect those segments of the population to have grown. As the city plans for future service and infrastructure needs, the characteristics of its residents play a large role in the assumptions of those future needs.”

Delano has 2,064 housing units, 106 of which are vacant.

Out of the 1,116 housing units in Montrose, 73 of them are unoccupied, and Franklin Township’s 1,020 housing units have 46 vacancies.

In Minnesota, there are 2,347,201 housing units, 259,974 of which are vacant.

To view additional census data, go to http://factfinder2.census.gov, click on “geographies,” and type the name of the desired city, county, or township.