Between 1990 and 2000, Mower County experienced an increase in its Hispanic population from 243 to 1,648, multiplying almost seven times in a decade, while the Hispanic population of the state tripled, from 53,884 in 1990 to 143,382 in 2000.

Thursday, March 29, 2001

Between 1990 and 2000, Mower County experienced an increase in its Hispanic population from 243 to 1,648, multiplying almost seven times in a decade, while the Hispanic population of the state tripled, from 53,884 in 1990 to 143,382 in 2000.

However, George Brophy of the Development Corp. of Austin believes even these numbers are indicative of a "slight undercount."

He said that by calculating the number of employees of Quality Pork Processors and Hormel Foods Corp. who are of Hispanic ethnicity, and multiplying that number by the average household size of a Hispanic family, Brophy determined the undercount could even be "greater than slight" – as much as 50 percent low.

Undercounting is possible because of the difficulty identifying and quantifying newcomers to any area can present to census takers.

However, until more figures are known, no one, including Brophy, will be sure of the true numbers.

"I suspect a careful digestion of the information would be useful before any conclusions were drawn," he said today, one day after census information was released to the general public.

Mower County’s population has increased in the past decade: "(Mower County) saw steady population declines from 1960 to 1990, then a gain of about 1,218 to 38,603 in 2000."

In contrast to Mower County’s statistics, neighboring Freeborn County showed a 1.4 percent decrease in population over the decade, from 33,060 to 32,584. Olmsted County, however, showed a significant increase of 16.7 percent, from 106,470 to 124,277.

At the same time, both Dodge and Steele counties’ populations increased. Dodge County’s population rose from 15,731 to 17,731, a 12.71 percent increase. The population in Steele County increased 9.6 percent, from 30,729 to 33,680.

In Austin, the city’s population grew from 21,907 in 1990 to 23,314 in 2000, an increase of 6.4 percent.

"Instinctively, I would say that the population is up is positive," Brophy said. He added he hopes the community continues to work toward bringing more people into the community.

Albert Lea’s population increased slightly as well, by 0.3 percent, bringing the total to 18,356. The population in Rochester grew much more significantly – by 21.3 percent, to a total of 85,806. Owatonna also showed a significant increase, up 15.72 percent – from 19,386 to 22,434.

Data throughout the state showed a general trend of Minnesotans becoming more urban and less rural.

"Twenty of Minnesota’s 87 counties grew by 15 percent or more; 10 of them were in the Twin Cities area. Most of the remainder were along Highway 10, which runs northwest of the Twin Cities on a high-growth corridor through St. Cloud and the Brainerd lakes region."

Counties along the western and southern borders lost population. Schools are closing, farmers are giving up and young people are moving out, leaving behind the elderly in communities struggling to keep their names on the map.

Mower County is one of the exceptions. Mower County’s rural economy was helped by "an evolution in the meatpacking business from small shops to huge industrial plants that demanded thousands of workers," according to Will Craig, assistant director of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the University of Minnesota. The demand brought immigrants to Mower County.

"A population increase in the minority community over and extended period of time is likely to produce an enhanced economy and an even better community," Brophy said.

Population shifts throughout the state mean congressional districts will most likely be redrawn, so the same number of people represented by state lawmakers are comparable. For example, the new population numbers show a decrease in population in St. Paul and Minneapolis proper, meaning the two cities will possibly be combined into one congressional district. While the suburbs of the Twin Cities have increased, meaning those districts will likely be divided in new ways.

Among other things, census data is used to decide on the distribution of federal and state spending every year.

Information regarding where immigrants listed in the 2000 census are from, and more detailed statistics about age, household makeup and race will be released this summer. For the first time, the 2000 census allowed respondents 63 combinations of race classifications, rather than the five allowed in 1990.

These additional choices help to explain why the number of people who claimed American Indian ancestry grew from 49,909 in 1990 to 81,704 in 2000.

Call Kevira Mertha at 434-2233 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.