The news & observer., 1902-01-19
DETAILS OF THE CENSUS
Population of the North Conges's the
Large Cities.
THEY NOW SHOW A MOST RAPID GROWTH
But This is Balanced by the Extremely High
Rate of Increase Of Southern Rural
Population. Report on Cotton
Seed Manufacture.
Seed Manufacture.
(By the Associated Press


Washington, Jan. 1S.-The Director of
the Census today gave out statement
regarding the growth of urban population
North and South, which shows the fol-
lowing 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 great
er 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 this difference is
balanced by an extremely rapid growth OF
small towns and cities in the South ana
especially by the high rate of increase
OF Southern rural population.
The statement says these results seem
paradoXical but are correct
Director Merriam's statement is de-
signed to explain how the deduction that
the South for the first time is now grow
ing as rapidly as the North harmonizes
with the well known facts that in the
North the proportion of inhabitants liv-
ing in cities is .rnrh larger than it is
in the South and that as rule cities
increase in population much more rapid
ly than country districts.
The statements shows that in the North
the proportion of the population living
in large cities is more than three times
as great as it in the South. The popu-
latioE living in cities of over % 600 in
habitants increased Il per cent between
1890 and 1900 partly by the growth of
the 126 sities of that size in 1890 and
partly by the addition during the follow
ing ten years of Sc other cities to the
list. The population of the country out
side these cities increased between 1890
and 1900 14.9 per cent The $50 cities of
the United States. each of which had
over $4,000 inhabitants in 1900 increased
nj population 92.5 per cent between 1890
and 1900. The rest of the United States
excluding Alaska and the recent insular
aecessionS increased 17.S per cent.
Of the total population of 75.994,579 in
continental United States 19,7lS,312. or
25.9 per cent live in cities of q, 900 in
habitants or more. The proportion of in
Eabitants of the three sections the
North. South and West. into which the
census divides the United States fol-
lows:
North, total population. 1879 500;
ropulation of cities of % 900 or more 16,-
1?G,5S0, or 81 per cent; South. total "a
.25, ,527; cities of 25.000 or mere PASS. .553
or 10 per cent. West 4,091 .349 cities
of $4,000 or more .033, ,179, or % per cent
The per cent OF increase of population
living in places Of sizes indicated from
1890 70 1900. by sections follows:
$4,000 and over North. 1922 South. SO;
West, 47.3; in United States, AL. 5000 to
$4,000 North. 22.9; South, 26.9: West
17.9; in United States 23.1. 1900 to s.
goo, North. 27.6; South. S7.3; West, 50.7:
lit United States, 36.7 In corporated
rlaces of less than 1000. North. 279:
South. 44,4: West. 465 in United States.
$50. Rural, North, IL; South. 49,;
West. go: in United States. "a
These figures, concludes the statement.
lation is resultant in the North Of a
very rapid growth of large cities. a
slower growth of small cities. and a
very slight growth in the country; and a
resultant in the South of q 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 as fast as the average
fer the United States.