Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-17
THE CENSUS.
The Population of the United States in
1900.


1890.
Superintendent of Census Robert p.
Porter's first report of the eleventh CEN
sus is at hand. 1t says that the work of
tabulation is being rapidly pressed for
ward, and will be practically finished by
the end of the year.
The population of the United States on
June 1, 1890, as shown by the first count
of persons and families, exclusive of
white persons in Indian territory, Indi-
ans on reservations, and Alaska was
81, ,4S0, $40. These figures may be slightly
changed by later and more exact COM
pilations, but such changes will not be
material. In 1880 the population
was so, 155, ,7S3. The absolute increase
of the population in the ten years inter-
vening was 1924, ,757, and the percent
age of increase was 24.57. In 1870 the
population was stated as 3S, ,55S, ,371. Ac-
cording to these figures the absolute in
crease in the decade between 1870 and
1880 was / ,597 Alp, and the percentage
of increase was 30.08.
Upon their face these figures show
that the population has increased be-
tween 1880 and 1890 only 727, ,345 more
than between 1870 and 1880, while the
rate of increase has apparently dimin-
ished from 30.08 to 24.57 per cent. If
these figures were derived from correct
data, they would be indeed disappoint-
ing. Such, a reduction in the
rate of increase in the face
OF the enormous immigration
during the past ten years would argue
great diminution in the fecundity of the
population or corresponding increase
in it's death rate. These figures are,
however, easily explained when the
character of the data used is understood.
1t is we'll known, the fact having been
demonstrated by extensive and thorough
investigation, that the census of 1870
was grossly deficient in the southern
states, SO much so as not only to give an
exaggerated rate Of increase of the popu-
lation between 1870 and 1880 in these
states, but to affect very materially the
rate OF increase in the country at large.
There is but little question that the
population of the United States in 1870
was at least 40,000,000 instead of 49,
558,371. as stated. If this estimate of
the extent OF the omissions in 1870 be
correct, the absolute increase between
1870 and 1880 was only about 10000, 900,
dliu UllO IdbC VI lllCICdDc w do uOb ldT lIOI1
% per cent. These figures compare
much more reasonably with similar
deductions from the population in 1880
In the principal table OF the bulletin
of which this, article is synopsis, the
states are grouped as North Atlantic,
South Atlantic, Northern Central,
Southern Central and Western. The
North Atlantic section is primarily
manufacturing section. AS necessary
result of the predominance of manufac-
turing there is great develop
ment of urban population.
Indeed, more than half OF the
inhabitants are grouped in cities. The
predominant industry of the Northern
Central states is agriculture, although
in many of these states manufactures
are now acquiring prominence. The in
dustries of the South Atlantic and
Southern Central sections are still al
most entirely agricultural, while in the
Western states and territories the lead
ing industries are agriculture, mining
and grazing.
Referring to the states on the Pacific
coast the superintendent's report SAYS
The growth of Washington has been
| phenomenal, the population in 1890
being nearly five times that of 1880. AS
is shown by the state census taken in
1885, this growth has been almost en-
tirely during the last five years of the
decade. The inducements which have
attracted settlers are in the main its
fertile soil and ample rainfall, which
enable farming to be carried on without
irrigation over almost the entire state.
The growth of Oregon, though less
rapid, has been at rate of nearly
80 per cent during the past decade. The
numerical increase has been 1877 ,722,
of which over four-ffths has been ac-
quired during the past five years. The
additions to its population are mainly in
the valleys Of the Columbia and Will
annette rivers. California, which in
creased 54 per cent during the decade
between 1870 and 1880, has maintained
during the past decade rate of increase
OF SO per cent ~ This increase, though
widespread throughout the state, has
been most marked in its great cities and
in the southern part.