Which is just yet another counter-example to MCA’s saying that we have run-away growth in Moscow.
The Palouse is growing slower than other small urban areas in Idaho and Washington.
The Moscow and Pullman "micropolitan" areas grew 0.5 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively, from mid-2006 to mid-2007, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday. Micropolitan areas are urban cores of 10,000-50,000 people and the surrounding counties.
University of Idaho economist Steve Peterson said the rates are normal for the area. Census data from 2000-2006 confirms a slow-and-steady growth rate.
In contrast, the fastest-growing micropolitan regions in Idaho include Twin Falls, with 2.4 percent growth, and the Teton County area, with 3.2 percent growth. Teton County is connected to the Jackson, Wyo., micropolitan area.
Rapidly growing micropolitan areas in Washington include Ellensburg at 15.5 percent growth, Shelton at 14.1 percent growth and Oak Harbor at 13.7 percent growth.
Peterson said the Palouse's slower rate can largely be attributed to its economy, which is based mainly on government jobs and agriculture, neither of which are rapidly growing industries.
He said more high-tech industry could lead to faster population growth in the future, but it is still a small part of the economy.
"The perception here is that the region is growing fast ... but the data has never supported that," Peterson said.
Moscow City Supervisor Gary Riedner said some of the faster-growing areas have industries that don't relate to the Palouse. For example, the Twin Falls area has a growing dairy industry.
Moscow Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darrell Keim said Moscow is more agricultural than many of the rapidly growing areas. However, the Palouse also is home to many "hidden gem" businesses that are growing steadily, such as Decagon Devices in Pullman and Northwest River Supplies in Moscow.
Peterson said dropping enrollment at the UI also plays a big role in Moscow's growth rates. He has worked on a study showing that for every student at UI, one-half to one job is created in the area.
"If you're down 1,000 students, you can figure a loss between 500 and 1,000 jobs anywhere in the region," he said.
Keim agreed that enrollment directly corresponds to growth.
"The more students you have, the more professors you have, the more background support you have, and that all has to come from somewhere," he said.
The presence of UI and Washington State University also could affect the accuracy of the census bureau's numbers for Moscow and Pullman, Idaho Department of Labor communications manager Bob Fick said. The true numbers could be slightly higher or lower.
"It's hard for the census bureau to get a real good feel about the population activity in a community where people are moving in and out in such great numbers all the time," he said.
Palouse city and business leaders say the area is doing well, despite growing slower than other regions.
Beasley Realty's Gary Schell, a Pullman Chamber of Commerce board member, said WSU and other big employers like Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories keep Pullman's growth stable, which is good.
"We're not tied into car production or some type of industry that's going up or down," he said.
Pullman City Planner Pete Dickinson said he's heard many people say they prefer a moderate growth rate.
The universities especially provide "for a stable environment, a stable economy," he said. "You don't see ... the fluctuations that you might see in other communities."
Dickinson said city growth often is cyclical.
"You'll find that different cities will grow at a slower or faster pace relative to other cities on an ongoing basis," he said.
Riedner said Moscow isn't doing anything to cause its slower growth. Unemployment is low and the housing market is strong.
However, he said city leaders must "be especially vigilant that we keep doing the right thing."
"Those right things include making and maintaining Moscow as a very desirable place to live and do business," he said. "I don't think we can afford to rest on our laurels. I think we've always got to be looking for ways to do things better."