2020 Census: Douglas County Sees Gains; Superior Sees Loses

Douglas County has gained population over the last ten years - as have most communities located within the geographic area.  The City of Superior, however, lost total population numbers.

The results of the 2020 Census have been released, and overall they're kind to Douglas County.  Total population for the area is up 0.3% over the ten-year period ending with last years census; while that percentage might seem small, it represents a total net gain of 136 people.

In looking at the numbers, it appears that most of the population gains in the county were made in rural areas and small towns.  According to news sources, here are some of the largest gaining communities within Douglas County using 2020 Census data:

• Brule:  Saw an increase of 36.1%, gaining 161 people to finish at a total population of 607
• Oliver:  Saw an increase of 31.4%, gaining 101 people to finish at a total population of 423
• Oakland:  Saw an increase of 17.9%, gaining 178 people to finish at a total population of 1,170
• Dairyland:  Saw an increase of 14.7%, gaining 27 people to finish at a total population of 211 people
• Amnicon:  Saw an increase of 13.6%, gaining 147 people to finish at a total population of 147 people

Meanwhile, the largest loses were also seen in some of the more-rural areas:

• Lakeside:  Saw a decrease of 12.7%, losing 99 people to finish at a total population of 681 people
• Poplar:  Saw a decrease of 10.0%, losing 70 people to finish at a total population of 629 people
• Lake Nebagamon: Saw a decrease of 6.4%, losing 77 people to finish at a total population of 1,123 people

Again, the majority of communities in Douglas County did see increases in their total population numbers with the census.  The City of Superior, did not.

As the largest municipality located within Douglas County, the City of Superior recorded a loss of 1.8%, shedding 493 people over the ten year period, to finish at a total population of 26,751. That decrease is a continuation of total population numbers for Superior that realistically started in 1950; since the 1950 census, Superior has seen a decrease in it's population with every ten-year mark - with the lone exception of the 2000 Census, when total population gained 0.9%.