Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-10
IN IOWA and ILLINOIS.
Some Remarkable Facts Are
Brought Out by the Cen
sus Bureau.
Wave OF Migration Receded From
the Rockies to the
River.
Gains Have Been Largest in the
Mississippi Valley Since
1890.

Washington, Feb. 10.-The director
of the census made the following state
ment in regard to an increase of popu-
lation of places of less than 1000 in
habitants, east and west of the Missis-
sippi river, and the counties which have
decreased in populations:
The increase of population in the
states east of the Mississippi river was
1871 between 1880 and 1890, and 1872 be-
tween 1890 and 1900. In the same area
the increase in urban population,
meaning all places of more than 1000
inhabitants, was 53.1 per cent between
1880 and 1890, and only 1872 per cent
between 1890 and 1900.
Both of these statements could not be
true unless the population of places
having less than 1000 inhabitants had
been growing more rapidly in the last
ten years than In the preceding decade.
Such is the fact. Between 1880 and
1890, the population east of the Missis-
sippi, and excluding places of more
than 400, increased 40 per cent, but be-
tween 1890 and 1900, 81 per cent.
To throw further light upon this in
creased prosperity of the small towns
during the last ten years, study has
been made by the census office Of those
counties which actually decreased in
at either decade. after max
ing allowances for changes In county
boundaries. Counties of this class are
predominantly agricultural, and usual
ly have lost. thru migration to more ia
vored localities. the natural increase
of their population by excess Of births
over deaths.
Between 1880 and 1890 the counties
east of the Mississippi. which last pop
ulation extended over an area of 451, 202
square miles. or nearly as great as
New England, New York and Pennsyl-
vania This was about one-sixth G77
per cent? of the total area east of the
Mississippi river. Between 1890 and 1900
the counties east of the Mississippi riv-
er. which lost population extended over
an area of 90,21S square miles. This Is
only about tenth (19.6 per cent? of
the total area east of the Mississippi.
The figures show that in this part of
the country an area almost equal to
that of New England lost population
between 1880 and 1890 but gained be-
tween 1890 and 1900.
West of the Mississippi the changes |
we're in the reverse direction. that is, |
he area losing population was Slightly |
arger between 1890 and 1900 than 1t |
vas between 1880 and 1890 (234,S62 |
square miles, as compared with 206,95S |
square miles). but in the country as
whole the area of counties losing pop
ilation was over 10000 square miles
ess in the last decade than it was be-
ween 1880 and 1890.
To show the influence of this change
he per cent of total area. as defined
W county lines, which shows a loss
II population, has been computed, oc-
,asional corrections being made for
he changes in county boundaries.
In the North Atlantic group the per
'ent of county area losing population
between 1880 and 1890 was 1858; be-
ween 1890 and 1900, 21.9. The cor
figures for the other groups
we're: South Atlantic, 1Ss0-90, HE
Der cent 1S90-1900, 6.3 per cent:
North Central. 1SS9-90. 21.1 per cent;
500 1900, 1911 per cent. South Cen
|
&c per cent. Western division, 1880
ent.
These figures show that in four of
he five divisions, all except the north
entral. the increase of population was
more widespread and general in the
asst decade than 1t was between 1850
nd 1900. If the north central division
'e divided into two parts at the Mis-
issippi river. the per cent of area in
he eastehn part showing loss of
population fell from 20.9 in the earlier
o 12.1 In the latter decade. On the
ontrary. in the western north cen
raj the per cent rose from 10 in the
ariler to 22.5 in the latter decade
Further analysis shows that a gain of
opulatton in the last decade was re- I
orted from every county in Minnesota
nd North Dakota and every county
ut one OF Iowa In South Dakota, Ne
raska and Kansas, on the contrary,
here were large areas mostly in the
'estern part and sparsely settled, for
'hich a decrease of population was re-
orted.
The tide of migration in 1890 had
ushed up the slopes of the great plains
lrther than conditions warranted, and {
/ the last decade the wave has been
aceding, depicting these areas and
ling up the rural counties of such
-ates as Iowa and Illinois. In Iowa the
er cent of area losing population fell Z
.om 27 between 1880 and 1890 to lie be- {
Neen 1890 and 1900. In Illinois it fell )
'om 2S.6 to 4.6 In other words, over {
bout quarter of each state the pop
lation decreased between 1880 and \
$40. only to increase in the last ten {
ears. In no other important states has !:
lere been so marked change
BEARS A CHARMED LIFE.