Government workers will soon be enumerating Nebraskans for the 1990 Census. Results will
have practical implications–including possible refiguring of Congressional districts. The
census will also provide us with fascinating information about citizens of our state and
country.
But it’s hard to imagine that any of the 1990 census figures will be greeted with the kind of
enthusiasm generated by the census of 1890. Those numbers caused the Kearney Weekly
Hub to exult:
“Hurrah for Nebraska’s northwest! The official count of the second supervisor’s census
district of Nebraska, or the third congressional district was completed on Saturday last. This
is a most interesting and instructive… report, covering as it does the newest portion of
Nebraska.
“It will be seen that in 1880 the population of this district was 128,021, and that in 1890 it is
372,173. The actual net gain in ten years is about sixty-six per cent, the population lacking
only 1,890 of being trebled in that time. There are now fifty-four counties in the district, in
1880 there were but thirty-three. Consequently twenty-one new counties have been
organized during the ten years. These twenty-one new counties, population marked “none” in
1880, show a population of 60,345 in 1890.
“This is a truly remarkable increase and a magnificent development. It comprises, too, in
large part, that portion of the state which the croakers declared fifteen years ago could never
be utilized except for great cattle ranges; but the cattle-man and the cow-boy have passed on
and the farmer has taken their places, the broad plains have been dotted with homesteads, and
agriculture has conquered the desert.
“A comparison of increase by counties shows that Buffalo has gained 14,598. Only one other
shows greater increase–Custer. Custer’s total, however, falls 482 behind Buffalo. This
leaves Buffalo the most populous county in the district, passing during this census period the
older eastern counties of Hall, Dodge, and Washington. Hurrah for old Buffalo!
“Considering the grand total, central and northwestern Nebraska have abundant reason for
self-congratulation at the great showing Uncle Sam has given us. We feel our oats!”
