The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-12-22
ASTOUNDING FIGURES.
rhe Growth OF t,e Population In TIL
Unlied Statos.

Proprutc Time TO consider the growth
of the United States in population dur.
ing the past century.
In 1870 the first national census was
taken. In 1890, one hundred wears
later, the last national census was
taken. These censuscs are taken every
ten years, and from their examination
an adequate idea of the growth of the
country may be obtained.
Statistics are usually considered very
irksome reading, but the census Stats.
ties OF the United States, recording rs
they do the most marvellous national
growth i'll all history. are of great inter
est to all who are impressed by on,
country's development.
In the census of 1890 the present
states of Alabama. Arkansas, Cali.
fornia, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, In
aiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michi.
gan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Nebraska, Nevada. Ohio, Oregon, Texas.
West Virginia, Wisconsin, North and
South Dakota, Montana and Washing
ton were not represented, for the sim.
pie reason that they had not vet come
into existence Indeed the territory OF
most of them had not been explored. II
was solitude roamed by savages and
wild beasts
The population of Massachusetts in
1870 was 31S, ISL or about 100, 900 less
than the population of the single city
OF Boston to-day.
The population of the state of New
York in 1790 was $40, 126. There are
seven cities in the United States to-day
New York, Chicago, Philadelphia.
Brooklyn, st. Louis, Boston and Balti.
more, that contain Il larger population
than did the entire state of New York
in 1890
The population of the entire country
in 100 was 3,929,2l4. The whole coun.
try, then, one hundred years ago, con.
tanned about as many people as is con.
tanned in the three cities of New York.
Chicago and Philadelphia. The state
of New York us we'll as the state OF
Pennsylvania has far larger popula
ton to-day than did the entire United
States in 1890. If New York City should
annex Brooklyn and the other contigu
Gus cities, the mayor of the new consol
'd%tcj city would govern II population
almost u large as that governed by
President Washington.
in the census OF 1909 Mississippi, In.
diana. Ohio and the District of Column.
bin were included. which were not in.
clu;;cd in the census of 1890. The popu.
lation increased about IL million and 4
half i'll ten years, and ut the opening OF
the century our popula ton was 5,96S,,
lS3, or several hundred thousand less
'han the present populat ion of the state
If New York. There was not single
state that had population as large ~
the present population of either of the
cities OF New York. Chicago, Philadcl.
phin or Brooklyn.
In the census of 1910 were included
Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan and Mis-.
souri,, not included in previous censuses
The population increased almost two
millions i'll ten years, and was Z, 230, SSl
Virginia had the largest population
and contained 97I.6O people.
So there was not Il single state in the
Union, even then, with as large popu
lation as is now possesscl by either o.
the cities of New York, Chicago Oh
Philadelphia.
In the census of 1920 Arkansas wa.
the only name represented which hat
not been represented in some previous
census. The population had increased
considerably over two millions, anC
was 0,G33, S22. New York was the largcs
state, and contained 1,372,11l popula
ton, figure considerably smaller thar
that represented by the present popu
lation of the city of New York.
Florida is the only new name repre-
scented in the census 1880. The pop,
alton had Increased over three millions
and was 1866, 02O. The largest stat,
was New York, which then contained
Il population of 1,01S,60S. This is tn,
first time in our history when oul
largcststate was larger than our presen
largest city.
In the census of 1910 Iowa and Wis
consin were the new names represented
The population had increased almos
sivc millions.
In the census of 1850 California, Min
ncsota, Oregon, Texas, New Mexico ant
Utah arc represented for the first time
The population had increased to %, 191
S76.
In 1860 Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska
Nevada, Dakota and Wyoming are rep
resented for the first ii me. The popula
ton had increased in round numbers t.
thirty-onc millions
In 1870 it had increased to thirty
eight millions.
In 1850 it had increased to fifty mil
lions.
In 1890 it had increased to sixty-twc
millions
So it will be seen that our population
has doubled since 1850, and that Benia
min Harrison rules over twice as many
people as did Abraham Lincoln.
We learn from this brief survey that
the population of tho United States
doubles at least once in thirty Years II