MINOT (AP) - The U.S. Census Bureau says this city's population is declining, but city officials don't believe it.

Figures released this week by the Census Bureau show Minot's population in July 2005 at 34,984, down 359 people or about 1 percent from the July 2004 estimate, and down 4 percent from 2000.

"Every single year since the 2000 census, they have shown decline," City Manager David Waind said. "We don't believe that that's accurate. We believe the model they use in making their calculations inherently underestimates."

Statewide, the Census Bureau said North Dakota gained population between July 2004 to July 2005, from 636,308 to 636,677.

Of North Dakota's three largest cities, only Bismarck showed growth between 2004 and 2005, according to the estimates. The city grew from 56,701 to 57,377, an increase of 1.2 percent.

Grand Forks was down 0.5 percent, from 50,081 to 49,792. Fargo was down 1.3 percent, from 91,953 to 90,672, according to the estimates.

The Census Bureau does a population count every 10 years but releases annual estimates based on births, deaths and migration patterns.

Jerry Chavez, president of the Minot Area Development Corp., said the census doesn't get the whole story.

"If you look at other factors, you could analyze that we are growing in population," he said. But the negative numbers are the only estimates out there for the group to use.

"It's unfortunate that we have to really rely on that," Chavez said.

Companies look at other factors and understand that estimates can be skewed, Chavez said. Population isn't the only consideration, either.

"It's important for them to understand whether the community is growing or not growing. But more important for them, they are looking at labor force. They are looking at costs of doing business and other aspects that score Minot very high," Chavez said.

Tom Rolfstad, Williston's economic development director, said he doesn't take the census estimates seriously.

"They tend to miss the mark," he said.

Williston's estimate of 12,193 people is up 16 people from 2004, but down 2.5 percent from 2000.

Rolfstad said high oil prices have boosted the number of jobs from 10,360 in 2000 to 11,568 in 2005. And building permits in 2005 totaled $36.4 million, compared to $10.3 million in 2000.