CENSUS ESTIMATES: JACKSON, CAPE ARE UP

New census estimates have been announced for area communities, and they contain interesting information. Keep in mind, these figures are estimates, which the Census Bureau makes every year -- even in years when a national census is conducted. Those official results for 2000 won't be available until next year.

Few will be surprised to learn that the fastest growing community in the area is Jackson, which has experienced an estimated 25 percent increase in population since 1990. This is the fastest growth of any city in Southeast Missouri. The only other city to come close was Farmington, up 21 percent.

Cape Girardeau, which is the 16th most populous Missouri city, saw a 5 percent increase to an estimated 36,687 people in the same period.

Other area cities and their estimates: Marble Hill, up 13.5 percent. Perryville, up 7.9 percent. Poplar Bluff, up 0.3 percent. Scott City, up 5.5 percent. And Sikeston, up 2 percent.

Area towns losing population during the period, according to the estimates: Chaffee, down 1.4 percent. Charleston, down 11.6 percent. And East Prairie, down 7.6 percent.

John Mehner, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, stressed that this isn't a census, but rather a set of estimates. The estimates are calculated using the 1990 census figures plus or minus estimates of births, deaths and net migration.

For Jackson, the news is welcome. As Mayor Paul Sander says, the only negative aspect is the challenge of expanding the water, sewer, electric systems and roads to keep up with the growth. It is a set of challenges many other communities would love to have.