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Census approaches

By Michael Butler

2020 will be the year of the census. It comes only once per decade.

Tallassee's population was 4,819 in 2010. The 2000 census showed 4,934 residents. The drop was 2.3 percent. Estimates posted in 2018 indicate another decrease of 4,581. Tallassee ranks third in population in Elmore County.

Millbrook, Elmore County's most populous city, had the largest growth rate from 2000-'10. The city's population was 14,640 - up 41 percent from 2000. Wetumpka's was second in population size at 6,528 in 2010 - up 22.6 %.

The highest popuation on record for Tallassee was 5,112 in 1990. It was in 1990 that Millbrook surpassed Tallassee and Wetumpka in population. According to census records, Tallassee was Elmore County's largest municipality from the time of its incorportation in 1908 until 1980.

In Tallapoosa County, Alexander City has been the largest city since the 1930 census when it exceeded Tallassee's numbers. Alex City's population dropped .9 percent in 2010 to 14,875. Tallassee is the second largest city in Tallapoosa County, ahead of Dadeville (3,230).

Elmore County continues to be one of Alabama's fastest growing counties. The U.S. Census Bureau and the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research released data indicating an expected population increase from 79,303 in 2010 to 88,942 in 2020.

Counties estimated to have the most rapid growth are: Baldwin (64.9%), Limestone (58.5%), Lee (50.9%), Shelby (51.2%), St. Clair (50.4%), Madison (40.6%), Autauga (39.9%) and Elmore County (32.7%).

Photo courtesy of Governor's Office

Tallassee Population By Decade

1880 1,182
1890 1,413 19.5%
1910 1,347
1920 2,034 51.0%
1930 843 −58.6%
1940 1,011 19.9%
1950 4,225 317.9%
1960 4,934 16.8%
1970 4,809 −2.5%
1980 4,763 −1.0%
1990 5,112 7.3%
2000 4,934 −3.5%
2010 4,819 −2.3%