The population of the village of Holmen has increased 27.4 percent since 2000, leading the county in percentage increase in population, according to estimates recently released by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.

Holmen’s population grew from 6,200 in the 2000 census to 7,899 for the 2008 population estimate. La Crosse County’s overall population grew 5.3 percent between the 2000 census count of 107,120 and the 2008 preliminary population estimate of 112,758.

The town of Hamilton followed Holmen in growth rate, recording a 16.3 percent increase from the 2000 census of 2,103 to the 2008 estimate of 2,446. The town of Greenfield was the third growth area with an increase from the 2000 census of 1,538 to the 2008 estimate of 1,759, or a 14.4-percent increase. The city of Onalaska came in fourth with an increase of 12.3 percent, from 14,839 to 16,660.

Although the town lost some population due to annexations, Hamilton recorded a 16.3 percent increase in its population, from 2,103 in 2000 to 2,446 in 2008.

“A lot of people are wanting to get out in the country,” said Town Chairman Dick Schomberg. “With the subdivisions and the settlements, we’ve moved in quite a few people.”

Despite the growth, Schomberg said he is seeing a decline in building permits. “We usually put up about 35 houses per year. We’re way down from the normal, somewhere around 18.”

The villages of Bangor and West Salem had among the lowest rates of estimated population growth in the county. State estimates say West Salem grew 2.4 percent since 2000, going from 4,738 to 4,852. Meanwhile, Bangor went from 1,400 to 1,420, an increase of 1.4 percent.Village President Dennis Manthei said he believes the prospect for growth in West Salem is good.

“We’re in a case where general housing’s gone down,” he said of West Salem’s small increase in population from 4,738 to 4,852, or 2.4 percent.

He also believes the numbers are probably much higher than the estimates. The state bases estimates on vehicle registrations, among other things, and that might not give a complete picture. For example, Manthei siad, “we had 50 some older folks that sold their homes and moved into Salem Terrace. They also sold their cars and stopped filing tax returns

“When you get old you don’t have to file taxes,” he continued. “So the data shows fewer tax returns, less population. I’m not sure all that was counted. If they did this on statistical basis, they are not counting these people and won’t until 2010.”

Despite the slow economy, Manthei said he is feeling positive for the village overall mostly due to job growth. “We’ve got 300 additional jobs in the business park. People are coming from Winona, Sparta, Onalaska and all over. That’s the good news.”

Farmington had growth of 11.9 percent, going from 1,733 to 1,939. Burns grew 5 percent (979 to 1,028), Barre grew 7.4 percent (1,014 to 1,190) and the town of Bangor grew 2.1 percent (583 to 595). Rockland was up 4.2 percent, going from 625 to 651.