 However, based on the Census in 2000 the growth of its people was proven to be temporary, as the population of Sawahlunto appeared to be declining.Based on the same Census, it was stated that the total population was 50,668 people, which translates to a decline of 8% over a span of 5 years.One of the reasons for this was that a portion of the employee housing of the Ombilin Coal Mining Unit (UPO) was shifted out of the town area of Sawahlunto.