CENSUS WILL SHOW GROWTH IN AREA

The latest estimated population figures for the 8th Congressional District indicate the official 2000 census should show good growth across Southeast Missouri.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the district's population grew by 40,173 from April 1990 to July 1999. The bureau estimated 608,558 people lived in the district on July 1, 1999.

Cape Girardeau County had the second-highest population increase among the 26 counties in the district.

With 5,567 more people over the nine-year period, Cape Girardeau County was second only to St. Francois County, which grew by 6,886 people.

If the estimates are correct, Cape Girardeau County grew by 9 percent over the period, and its population stood at 67,200 at the end of July 1999.

That is a good indication that the 2000 Census, taken almost a year later, will show even more people live in the county.

It is obvious that significant growth occurred in the county through the 1990s. Cape Girardeau County became a first-class county during the decade just ended because of the growth that has brought on both business and residential construction in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, the Fruitland area and places in between and near those communities. That growth is responsible for catapulting the county to first-class status.

The kind of expansion the county has seen doesn't typically take place without population growth and a good economy that provides jobs. And the local economy has been healthy throughout the decade.

It also is encouraging to see that population dropped during the nine-year period in only five of the 8th District counties: Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin and Reynolds. In each of the other 21 counties, population grew.

The Census Bureau has completed the official 2000 census but won't release the numbers until Dec. 31, and then only state populations will be released. Census data on counties and cities won't be released until April. Based on those figures, legislative districts will be redrawn.

There is little doubt that the 2000 census will show progressive growth across the district, particularly in its largest populated counties.