By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

QUINTER -- The vibrant life in Quinter's downtown belies census estimates that the community is losing a huge chunk of its population.

Quinter is among a not-so-elite group of northwest Kansas communities that are losing big portions of their population, not just since the 2000 census was taken but on an annual basis as well.

To be sure, the latest numbers are just estimates, but they mean real money because they are the basis for federal and state grants.

There are 88 incorporated cities in northwest Kansas, and nearly all of them have gotten smaller, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Only three -- Hays, Ellis and Bazine -- have gotten bigger since 2000, when the last full-blown census was taken.

In a surprising move, 15 communities showed increases between July 1, 2007, and 2008. The Census Bureau released the 2008 numbers just last week.

Why some communities increased and others decreased is uncertain, but population numbers for northwest Kansas have historically been declining. Hays has been the notable exception, but its increases have been slight.

On July 1, 2008, Hays was estimated to have 20,386 residents -- an increase of 292, but that only represents a 1.45 percent jump. Hays has only increased 1.77 percent since 2000.

Quinter is among the communities hardest hit by population declines. In 2008, it had only 782 residents, down 25 from a year earlier. In 2000, 961 people called Quinter home.

Carolyn Tuttle, Quinter's Chamber of Commerce secretary, isn't sure why, although she recognizes that the community has an aging population, and as a result a number of funerals not likely being offset by births.

"We still have one of the best Main Streets in the area," Tuttle proudly pointed out.

It is vibrant, with new construction under way across from City Hall.

Sharon Springs is another community hit hard.

It now has 657 residents, according to the latest estimates, down more than 21 percent from 2000. That represents the biggest decline of any northwest Kansas community.

There, John Foster, director of the Wallace County Economic Development Alliance, was a bit surprised.

"Actually, we've had some people relocating here," he said when told of the declining numbers.

That's not to say he's not aware of the long-term decline.

"I do think we're fighting that battle," he said. "I think we're fighting that day in and day out."

But lately, he said "a fair number" of people have been moving into the community over the last six to eight months.

Some of those people, he said, are coming from larger communities, such as Denver, most likely because of a sour economy.

"They decided to come here where obviously it's cheaper to live," Foster said. "Finding a job is obviously more difficult to find here as well."

There have been isolated instances of people simply moving to Sharon Springs or Wallace County because they either grew up here or are able to work via the Internet.

Foster is especially aware of people coming home.

That's because he's one, or more accurately, his wife is, hailing from Weskan originally.

He is from New York City, having moved to Wallace County two years ago. He now lives in what had been known as the Sharon Springs Mennonite Church, located southwest of the community.

"It's a very, very nice place to live," he said of Wallace County.

With the addition of a Morton building to serve as a garage outside the former church, Foster said he has more than 8,700 square feet of living space at his disposal.

"We've got a family room as big as many people's homes," he said. "We're sure comfortable there and not thinking or interesting in selling it."