Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-11-01
The Center Of Population.

4 NhludDle maps illustrating the ulStrlDu.
ton, density and character of popula-
ton, Il diagram which shows how the
center of population has shifted from
decade to decade since 1890, in its
steady march westward. What sta.
tisticians understand by the term center
OF population, it may DO well to ex-
plain, is the point at which equilibrium
would be reached were the country
taken as q plain surface without weight,
but capable of sustaining weight. and
! the inhabitants distributed over il in
number and position Us they are found
at tho period under consideration, each
inhabitant being supposed to be of equal
weight, and consequently to exert
pressure OH the pivotal point in direct
/ proportion to his distance therefrom.
The first census OF the United States,
taken in 1890, showed the center of
population TO be on the eastern shore
of Maryland, about twenty-five mites
from Baltimore and near the thirty.
ninth parallel of latitude. Prom that
point it has moved westward Mt the
average rate OF about tifty-one miles in
a decade, never deviatng rs much rs
degree to the north or south of the
thirty ninth parallel. BY 1900 it had
moved forty-ono miles, and was found
at point eighteen miles west of Balti-
more. In 1910 it was near the Potomac
in Virginia, at place forty miles
northwest OF Washington, having trav-
eled thirty-six miles during the pre-
ceding decade. Its progress in the fol.
lowing ten years was fifty miles, and in
1920 it was in the Valley of Virginia,
sixteen miles north of Woodstock.
The census OF 1880 discovered that
the center of population. previously II
little north OF the thirty-ninth parallel,
had passed that line and was trllc to
the south of it, at point in the Ale
ghany Mountains nineteen miles west
Of Moorfeid, Virginia, the progress
westward since 1920 being thirty-nine
miles. This was the most decided
southwark move it has made in any
decide, and is explained by the acqui-
sition of Florida and the settlement of
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and
Arkansas. In the ensuing decade the
center recrossed the thrty-ninth par
allel, moved iifty-iive miles westward,
and was found at point sixteen miles
south of Clarksburg. Virginia. South
ern Michigan and Wisconsin and
Northern Indiana and Illinois had be
gun to fill up, and their population
turned the balance to the nOrthward
In 1880 il was still in Virginia, but close
to the Ohio River, having moved fifty
five miles and being at "a point twenty
three miles southeast of Parkersburg.
Again il was south of the thirty-ninlh
parallei, but only the distance OF about
mile, the detection being explained
by the annexation of Texas. by 1860
it had reached a point twenty miles
south of Chillicothe, Ohio, Il little north
of the thirty-ninth parallel, having
made the greatest progress ever made
in u decade, the distance from the last
point being eighty-One miles. This
remarkable movement was caused by
the settlement of the Pacific Coast
twelve persons in San Francisco, bv
reason of their distance from the piyo
tai point, counterbalancing forty per-
sons in Boston. The next step was forty
two miles westward, and about twelve
northward, which brought the center
into Highland County, Ohio, about
forty-eight miles east by north of Gin.
cinnati. 1t is believed that the appa
rent northern movement during THU
decade was caused by a defective emu
meration of the colored population of
the Southern States at the census of
1870. In 1880 the center was near the
village OF TaylorsviIle, Kentucky. about
eight miles west by south of Gin.
cinnati, the westward progress being
ffty-eight miles and the detection
TO the south about eight. The census
of 1890 will probably discover il in Jen-
nings County i'll Southeastern Indiana.
If there is no great chan 90 in the rate
of western movement of population,
the central point, still travelling. as i,
doubtless will, on line closely corrc-
spending TO the thirty-nnth parallel OF
latitude, will not cross the Mississippi
River until 1850, when it will be found
not far from the mouth of the Missouri.
1t is not improbable, however, that il
will never reach that stream, but will
remain nearly stationary somewhere in
Southern Illinois. There are large
areas of country in the Far West unit
for habitation, save where deposits OF
the precious metals arc found, and other
considerable areas where grazing, which
supports but scanty population, will
always be the chief industry The in
crease of population in the transmits
sissippi region may NOT, therefore,
much more than counterbalance the in
crease in the older settled portion OF
the country after the close of the pres
ent century. In estimating the changes
and progress of the future we must not
forget that, marvellous rs is the growth
of the New West. it is only little
more rapid than that OF the great mid
die region between the Hudson and the
Mississippi The State of New York.
it must be remembered, added 700, 200
to her population between 1870 and
1880. Pennsylvania 400, 900, and Ohio
532, 900. The increase in each of these
old States would make Western State
as populous as Nebraska.-N T. 7riJ-