WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s population has grown in pockets around its largest cities over the past decade, while 68 counties in rural areas lost population. According to U.S. Census data released Thursday, the biggest population gainers were Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City counties. The fastest-growing area in the state remained Dallas County west of Des Moines, which grew 50.7% to a population of 99,678 in 2020 from just over 66,000 in 2010. The data shows Johnson, Polk, Warren, and Story counties grew more than 10%, and 26 counties increased by less than 10%. The remaining 68 counties lost population.
