The Center’s Three-Part Series: Stories and Interactive Features

In this series, the Center’s Lukas Keapproth and Mario Koran explore how three Wisconsin counties are coping with their population changes — and potential statewide solutions to rural population loss. From 2000 to 2010, while the state’s population grew by 6 percent, one-fourth of Wisconsin’s 72 counties lost population, with the declines concentrated in rural areas.

Part One

Would young people stay in rural area for mining jobs? In Iron County, which lost one of every seven residents from 2000 to 2010, residents say a controversial taconite mine may be the only way to reverse devastating population loss. Oct. 7, 2012.

Part Two

A young mayor strives to rebuild jobs lost in paper mills. In Wood County, where almost half of the paper industry jobs disappeared during the past decade, local leaders are using a regional approach to boost existing industries. Oct. 8, 2012.

Part Three

Hispanic immigrants help rural county stave off population dip. Dairy farmer Jeremy Meissner and farm manager Huron Mireles are part of the reason Clark County’s population is growing while nearby counties’ levels are declining. Oct. 9, 2012.

Multimedia and data

Interactive graphic

Click the map to explore which Wisconsin counties lost the most people between 2000 and 2010, and compare these shifts with changes in other states.

Maps

County-by-county comparisons of how population shifted in Wisconsin and in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010.

Audio slideshows: Why young people stay — or leave

Below, short profiles of some of the young people interviewed by the Center’s Keapproth and Koran. We recommend viewing these slideshows using the full-screen option at the lower right of each one. Click here to view the slideshows in a new page.

 

 

Related posts:

• Hispanic immigrants help rural county stave off population dip
• A young mayor strives to rebuild jobs lost in paper mills
• Would young people stay in rural area for mining jobs?
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