We only lost 1,300. While population declined in many communities, diversity has not. Hispanic and Asian populations are the two fastest growing in Oneida County, census data show. The black population, although increasing in Utica and Herkimer County, decreased in Oneida County from 14,003 in 1990 to 13,521 in 2000. The census means different things to different people.
Businesses use the numbers to stock their shelves.
Social service agencies track where needy clients live. Governments translate the population shifts into new legislative district lines and use the figures to dole out aid to localities. While population dropped in most of Herkimer and Oneida counties, it climbed in some more rural towns. The town of Florence in northern Oneida County grew 27.5 percent, Steuben was up 16.5 percent and Remsen 12.6. The town of Webb in Herkimer County grew 16.8 percent, Fairfield was up 11.4 percent and Russia and Norway each enjoyed 8.4 percent growth.