Sigh. Another request. Fine. Let's get this over with. Don't expect me to enjoy it.
21st United States National Census
The twenty-first decennial census of the United States, officially designated as the 1990 United States census, was conducted by the Census Bureau. It was a monumental, if rather tiresome, undertaking that aimed to count every single resident within the nation's borders.
Overview
The U.S. Census Bureau seal, a symbol of enumeration and demographic data, presided over this endeavor. The primary objective, as always, was to establish a precise count of the nation's population on a specific date, April 1, 1990. This seemingly simple task, however, is an intricate dance of logistics, data collection, and analysis, all designed to provide a snapshot of who, and where, the people of the United States were at that moment.
The results of this particular census revealed a total population of 248,709,873 individuals. This figure represented a growth of 9.8 percent since the previous census in 1980, which had enumerated 226,545,805 persons. A nearly 10% increase. Predictable, really. People insist on multiplying.
For a portion of the population, approximately 16 percent of households, the census wasn't just a brief questionnaire. They received the "long form," a more extensive document containing over 100 questions. This expanded survey delved deeper into various aspects of American life, gathering richer demographic, social, and economic data. The Integrated Public Use Microdata Series now holds this comprehensive documentation, including the census forms themselves and a detailed procedural history. It's all there, for anyone morbidly curious enough to sift through it.
Notable Firsts and Changes
The 1990 census marked a significant shift in how racial and ethnic identities were categorized. For the first time, "Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander" was recognized as a distinct racial group, separate from Asians. This was a long overdue acknowledgment, though I doubt it truly captured the complexities of identity. More significantly, this census was helmed by a woman, Barbara Everitt Bryant, the first woman to direct the Census Bureau. A minor detail, perhaps, but one that occasionally gets pointed out.
To bolster participation, particularly among the African American community, the bureau enlisted the help of several prominent figures. Bill Cosby, Magic Johnson, Alfre Woodard, and Miss America Debbye Turner served as spokespeople. A calculated move, I suppose. The hope was that their influence would encourage more accurate enumeration. Whether it truly made a difference is debatable. The National Historical Geographic Information System now offers aggregate data for small areas, along with electronic boundary files, for those who need to delve into the granular details. As for personally identifiable information, that remains locked away, inaccessible for another few decades. The 72-Year Rule dictates that such sensitive data won't be available until 2062. Privacy, or at least a delayed exposure of it.
Urban Shifts and Population Dynamics
A curious shift occurred in the urban landscape between the 1980 census and this one. For the first time since 1880, Chicago was no longer the nation's second-largest city. It had been surpassed by Los Angeles. This change in urban hierarchy, a testament to shifting migration patterns and economic centers, has persisted. As of the 2020 census, Los Angeles continues to hold its position as the second most populous city.
State Rankings
The census data provided a detailed breakdown of population distribution across the states. Here's a glimpse at the top rankings, illustrating the demographic landscape of the United States in 1990:
| Rank | State | Population as of 1990 census | Population as of 1980 census | Change | Percent change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 29,760,021 | 23,667,902 | 6,092,119 | 25.7% |
| 2 | New York | 17,990,455 | 17,558,072 | 432,383 | 2.5% |
| 3 | Texas | 16,986,510 | 14,229,191 | 2,757,319 | 19.4% |
| 4 | Florida | 12,937,926 | 9,746,324 | 3,191,602 | 32.7% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 11,881,643 | 11,863,895 | 17,748 | 0.2% |
| 6 | Illinois | 11,430,602 | 11,426,518 | 4,084 | 0.0% |
| 7 | Ohio | 10,847,115 | 10,797,630 | 49,485 | 0.4% |
| 8 | Michigan | 9,295,297 | 9,262,078 | 33,219 | 0.4% |
| 9 | New Jersey | 7,730,188 | 7,364,823 | 365,365 | 5.0% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 6,628,637 | 5,881,766 | 746,871 | 12.7% |
The full table details the population figures for all states, including those that experienced population decline, such as Iowa and West Virginia. States like Nevada and Alaska showed particularly dramatic percentage growth, indicating significant shifts in population centers. The District of Columbia, too, saw a decrease in its population.
Reapportionment
The data gleaned from the 1990 census had immediate and significant political implications. The figures directly determined the allocation of seats in the United States House of Representatives for the 1992 elections. This, in turn, influenced the number of votes each state held in the Electoral College for the 1992 presidential election.
Population shifts necessitated changes in congressional representation for twenty-one states. Eight states saw an increase in their congressional delegation, while thirteen states experienced a reduction. In total, 19 seats changed hands as a result of this reapportionment. California, Florida, and Texas were among the states that gained seats, reflecting their burgeoning populations, while states like New York and Pennsylvania saw their representation reduced.
The map illustrating these changes color-codes states based on the number of seats gained or lost, providing a visual representation of the shifts in political power.
City Rankings
Beyond the state level, the census also provided a granular view of urban populations. The following table lists the top 50 most populous cities in the United States as of 1990:
| Rank | City | State | Population [5] | Region (2016) [6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | New York | 7,322,564 | Northeast |
| 2 | Los Angeles | California | 3,485,398 | West |
| 3 | Chicago | Illinois | 2,783,726 | Midwest |
| 4 | Houston | Texas | 1,630,553 | South |
| 5 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1,585,577 | Northeast |
| 6 | San Diego | California | 1,110,549 | West |
| 7 | Detroit | Michigan | 1,027,974 | Midwest |
| 8 | Dallas | Texas | 1,006,877 | South |
| 9 | Phoenix | Arizona | 983,403 | West |
| 10 | San Antonio | Texas | 935,933 | South |
This list highlights the continued dominance of major metropolitan areas. The detailed table extends to the top 100 cities, offering a comprehensive view of urbanization. Maps are provided to visualize the geographical distribution of these population centers, offering a stark, almost clinical, depiction of where people clustered. It's a lot of dots on a map, really.