By Lynda Jensen
Editor

Lester Prairie’s population is following the upward climb of population projections, despite a sluggish housing market.
From 1990 to 2000, the city added 197 people, resulting in an increase of 6.69 percent.

The state average was 12.44 percent, and the McLeod County average was 8.95 percent.

The current population is 1,702, which is in line with predictions from the US Census Bureau.

The population of Bergen Township has also increased by approximately 5 percent during the past few years.

Population growth in LP and beyond

In spite of recent growth, the number of permits for new housing units in Lester Prairie has slowed, and reached a four-year low in 2007.

The city issued permits for six new housing units in 2007, 29 new housing units in 2006, 38 in 2005, and 61 in 2004.