Iowa urban county growth outpacing national growth rates

As counties near Iowa’s urban centers grow, rural counties continue to see population declines, according to the most-recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa State Library.
But Calhoun County Economic Development Director Jill Heisterkamp looks at the data and doesn’t just see yet another report that points out how rural counties are falling behind. She said she’s been in contact with economic development officials in Dallas County, which recorded the fifth-fastest growth rate in the country, to see what is happening there that rural counties might be able to replicate.
“It’s definitely something we want to look at,” Heisterkamp said.
Read more in the April 12 edition.