The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-07-19
MAHAsKA GETS A JOLT.

census gave US 34,273, the largest
number ever credited to Mahaska
county. In 1905 the state census
raked up only 31,430 an apparent loss
of nearly 5000. The federal census of
1910 hit us another jolt, cutting down
the state census of 5 years before
nearly 1000, leaving only 29,S60. Now
comes the estimates saving off 5000
more,-leaving US nearly 5000 less
than II years ago. .al -.a. -
But the present forecast is unfair
as it is based on the registration fig
ures. Young men naturally drift to
the cities, so that the registration for
military duty is a lot heavier in the
larger centers of population than it
is in rural communities such as Ma
haska county and practically all 9TH
er counties in Iowa.
The state census of 1915 indicated
that the decrease in population in
Mahaska county,--due to the aband-
onment of mines and the moving
away of miners,-had been arrested,
and that the number OF people show
ed practically the same as in 1910, or
29,314. The 1917 estimate is there
fore misleading and evidently in err
ror.
Despite the bad showing made for
Mahaska county, it is interesting to
observe how the statisticians of the
government arrive at conclusions.
According to a revised estimate of
the census bureau the total popula-
ton of the continental United States
is 03,S49,6S4. With Alaska, Hawaii
and Porte Rico included, the total is
05,366,056. Other possessions,
among them the Philippines. were not
included in the revised estimate.
Because of the unusual changes in
population shown by the figures, the
method employed in reaching them is
described by the census bureau as
follows: ar"
The total registration, as shown by
the preliminary Geographic returns,
$685. 1882, was divided by the total
population of continental United
States, exclusive of Alaska, as hereto
fore, estimated by the census bureau,
103, 635, 300, in order to obtain the pro-
portion which the registratants repre-
scented of the total population.
THE resulting figure, 9:23 per cent
was assumed to represent the proper
ton which the registrants in each
geographical unit represented Of the
total population thereof. Since che
state totals, as shown by the correct
ed returns received by mail, varied
more or less from those given in the
Geographic returns, both
the total registration for the United
States and the total population esti-
mated herein slightly from the figures
above given.
The assumption that the proper
ton which the registrants in any
county or city represent of its total
population is the same throughout the
United States may not be true, but
the only way to ascertain the true
for each geographical unit
would be to make an actual enumera-
ton of its population, The proportion
in 1910 varied considerably in differ
ent parts of the country, being great,
er as rule in the newer than in the
older sections and greater in cities
han in rural localities. ,-- n
Because of the abnormal shiftings
Of population which have taken place
among certain parts of the country
N recent years and particularly since
he outbreak of the war, gave so great
IN impetus to the manufacture of
munitions and other commodities
needed by the belligerents, the pro-
portions which men 81 to 30 years OF
lge inclusive, represent of the total
population of many localities have
hanged greatly since 1910 For this
eason the assumption that the pro-
portions existing in 1910 still prevail
will result in very inaccurate esti-
mates for some localities.
Since therefore, il was impossible '
n any event TO estimate precisely the
population of cities, counties and
tates, on the basis Of the registration
he simplest and speediest method
hat based on the assumption that the
roportion which the registrants rep
esent of the total population is the
anne throughout the country-w
dopted.
New York City is credited in the
stimate with population of $780,
S5; New York state. 11.1S7, 7S9.
hicago gets credit for 3,639,975 and
linois 7.227,952.. Philadelphia county
nd city. is credited with 2,06O,021 and
ennsylvania s.981,082. Boston is
wen 82S,573 and Massachusetts 81
1851; Cleveland, 1,125,44e; Ohio,
074,771.
Cities in the central states are cred
ed with the following:
indianapolis. 339,7S5; Detroit, L.
'1.s43; Minneapolis. 434.453; st.
aul, 249.657; Milwaukee. 531,011 and
ss Moines, 120,Sl5. gG a