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According to the latest population trend numbers released by the Legislative Services Agency, the number of residents in the area hasn’t changed much in the past six years.

Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance Director Karen Eischen tells KNIA/KRLS News while it’s better to be steady than declining when it comes to population, in order for economic growth to occur, so does the number of people in the region. Eischen says affordable housing in Pella is perhaps the biggest hurdle to clear in order to get more people to live in the community.

She says organizations like the PACE Alliance aim to work with elected officials and area cities to continue to find ways to grow the local population.