The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-21

Washington. January 18.-The direc-
tor Of the census today gave out a
statement regarding the growth OF ur-
ban population north and south. which
shows the following facts:
The large cities. taken collectively.
are growing nearly twice as fast as the
rest of the country
The per cent Of the population of
northern states living in large cities is
nearly three times as great as the cor
responding per cent in the south; the
north has rate of increase no greater
than that of the south.
The large cities of the north are grow.
ing much faster than those of the same
size in the south. but that this differ
ence is balanced bv an extremely rapid
growth of small towns and cities in the
south and especially by the high rate
of increase OF southern rural population
The statement saws these results
seem paradoxical, but are correct.
Director Meriam's statement which is
designed to explain how the deduction
that the south for the first time is now
growing as rapidly as the north, ha:
monizes with the we'll known facts that
tants living in cities increases in pcpula-
lation much more rapidly than country
districts. The statement shows that in
the north the proportion of the popula-
ton living in large cities is more than
three times as great as it is in the
south.
The population living in cities of over
$4,000 inhabitants increased Al per cent
between 1890 and 1900. partly by the
growth of the 124 cities OF that size in
1890 and partly by the addition during
the following ten years Of thirty-siN
other cities to the list. The population
Of the country outside of these cities
increased between 1890 and 1900 1919 per
cent. The 16O cities of the United States
each of which had over $4,000 inhabi-
tants in 1900. increased in population
1926 per cent between 1890 and 1900: the
rest of the United States. excluding
Alaska and the recent insular acces-
sions. increased Ill per cent.
Of the total population of rs 994.575 in
25.9 per cent live in cities of 25. 900 in
habitants or more. The proportfon~ OF
inhabitants of the three sections. the
north. the south and the west. into
which the census divides the United
States follows:
North. total population Al. .699: pop
ulation of cities of $4,000 or more 16,-
l.
$685. .527. cities of 25000 or more G4SS. .553
or 10 per cent. West. 4.O91.349: cities of
! $4,000 or more 1.O33. .179. or 25 per cent.
The Der cent of increases of popula-
ton living in places of sizes indicated
from 1890 to 1900 by sections. follows:
In the cities of $4,000 and over-north
522: south $40; west. 47.3: in United
! States AL
In cities of 5000 to 25.OOO-north. 22.7:
south. 26.9: west 17.9: in United States,
| 23.1. OF 1000 to S.OOO-north 27.6: south
| S7.3: west. 5O7: in United States. ,26
| per cent.
| Incorporated places of less than 400f
north 27.9: south 44.4; west. 46.5: in
, United States $50 Rural north. 2: south
| 17.9: west. 22.O. United States "a.
These figures show that the present
! growth of population is a resultant In
| the north of very rapid growth OF
| large cities. slower growth Of small
| cities. and very slight growth in Inc
| country: and a resultant in the south
| of a rate of growth of large cities below
the average for the country, balanced
by striking growth of small cities and
an increase of rural population twice as
fast as the average for the United
3 States.
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