Sean C. Morgan
Sweet Home’s population increased to 8,235 this year according to an annual estimate by Portland State University.
As of the census in April 2000, Sweet Home’s population was 8,016. In July 2001, Sweet Home’s certified population was 8,160.
“What we do for city population estimates is collect housing information in July each year,” Dr. Qian Cai, PSU’s population estimate manager, said. The housing information, includes building permit information for single- and multi-family housing.
Preliminary numbers are provided to cities, Dr. Cai said. Cities review the estimates and have the opportunity to add information. A final estimate is certified by PSU by Dec. 15.
The population estimates are used by government agencies for revenue allocations.
“It’s difficult to check the accuracy each year,” Dr. Cai said. Typically estimates for large cities are more accurate than small cities. The only way to test the accuracy of the estimates is to compare them against the U.S. Census, which is completed once each decade.
“It shows we’re growing,” City Manager Craig Martin said. That can be seen in schools where enrollment numbers are up.
School District 55 has had declining numbers over the last five years. They increased this year. At the same time, Sweet Home’s population has continued to grow.
The 1990 Census showed an above-average senior population, Martin said. A larger number of middle-aged and senior residents may explain why the population has grown while school enrollment declined in recent years.
“I don’t know if there’s a direct correlation, but you can make some assumptions,” Martin said.