Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-27
How Richmond Grows

y lCHMOND has ample reason FOR salts
faction over its census figures. they
are not so large as some Of it's more opti-
mistic citizens had hoped for, but neither
are they small by several thousands ms
the more conservative ones had feared they
would be, especially during the last few
weeks following intimations from Washing
ton that they would be disappointing. y
growth OF 44.039. or 34,5 per cent, in ten
years is a most crcditable showing. and il
places Richmond firmly in the ranks of the
nations progressive cities. 1t has kept pace
with other communities in it's class. whereas.
because of peculiar economic conditions,
largely an outgrowjh of the war, some
qualms had been entertained lest II drop
behind i'll the race for population honors.
Best OF all. Richmonds growth has been
steady and normal. There has been no
boom, no artificial stimulus. no large
transient population 10 swell the figures,
and it has been maintained in the face OF
various adverse influences which initiated
against il by taking thousands OF workmen
and their families, particularly among the
negroes. TO other industrial centcrs to which
they were attracted by higher wages in war
establishments than they could hope 10 Sc
cure here In 1910 Richmond numbered
l27,62S inhabitants. Since that time there
has been one annexation by which territory
u
was brought within its corporate limits. In
Greater Richmond, then. the increase has
been approximately $4,000 in the last ten
years. III that time thousands OF citizens.
by reason OF the almost universal adoption
CT The automobile as a means OF transport
tation and the easy access TO the city Of
fcred by the electric lines. have moved into
the outlying territory, so ii is a conservative
estimate that the city with its Close-in
suburbs now has population little, if any,
short of 100000.
While the present percentage Of gain has
been exceeded halfdozen times since the
establishment of the Census Bureau. Rich
mond has set a new record in actual growth,
its increase OF 44,039 since 1910 having
been approached in only one decade. that
between 1900 and 1910. when its actual
gain was 42.57S, percentage of sol.
Richmond needs no apologist The pessi-
mists have been senced, and its claims of
a substantial, healthy progress are confirmed
before the world by the cold figures OF the
Washington StatistCianS. II maintains the
prestige Of its position OF first city in Eir
ginia with lead OF $1,000. very com
Portable margin, which Norfolk. even with
the annexation OF Portsmouth - proba blity
of the future, will find it difficult to over
come And Richmond is determined that
its margin of leadership shall be increased
TO an even greater degree Of safety While
Richmond has done we'll. every reason
exists why il should do better in the ten
years TO come. II has the advantage OF
location OF transportation by water and
rail, OF climate. and OF freedom from labor
troubles, and this with ills reputation for
doing things now firmly established should
easily put ii in the 100000 class, and reach
ing out for the 100000 mark in 1890. 1t
will II its citizens assume and maintain
that aggressive cooperative spirit without
which no city ever can become really great.