How did Colton buck the rural decline?

The population of Colton rose by 32 people between 2000 to 2010, according to the results of the U.S. Census. Colton was only small town in Whitman County that marked a significant gain in population over the last 10 years.

Pullman marked a 5,124 person gain over the decade for 20.8 percent growth.

Colton’s increase of 32 amounted to an 8.3 percent population increase.

The only other town in the county to gain population was Oakesale at two.

How did Colton buck the trend of small town decline?

Colton Mayor Jerry Weber believes a subdivision constructed in the early 2000s has everything to do with the rise in his town’s population.

The Southview Subdivision, located on the south side of the town, has seen the construction of 16 houses since the lots were for sale in 2003. The development has 28 building sites.

“We want our town to grow. I really want some businesses to move into town to get some economic development going,” Weber said.

The population of Colton was 386 people in 2000 and increased to 418 in 2010. In contrast, Colton school enrollment was 185.3 students in 2000 and dropped to 169.16 by 2010.

Colton school superintendent Nate Smith speculated the jump in the town’s population could be attributed to more retirees moving into town.

Art Schultheis, co-owner of the subdivision with his brother, Greg, said most of the occupants of the existing 16 houses moved to Colton from out of town. He believes the families who moved into the subdivision contributed to the 32-person gain in the census.

“We would hope we are having a direct affect and we are increasing the tax base [of the town],” said Schultheis.

The Schultheis brothers, along with their five other Schultheis siblings, own the land in the subdivision.

“Our feeling is if you aren’t growing, you aren’t getting better,” Schultheis said.

The subdivision used to be farm land within the city limits of Colton. In 2000, the family looked into the possibility of developing the site. By 2003, they had formed a development company among the seven siblings and were actively hooking up water, sewer and other infrastructure.