The Census

Last week In the first of a proposed series of extracts from the last U. S. census, we gave the aggregates of population, and promised thls week to give it by townships. The following is the list : Ann ArborClty S.C61 Ward 1 _.. 1,938 2 1 336 ' 3 1,883 ' 4 l,53li ' ft. 695 6 _ 1,226-8,001 Ann Arbor township 1,4U) Augusta townsnlp 1,640 Hrldgewater 1,2M Dexter 87i Kreedoni 1,33 Lima 1021 Lodl 1,377 Lyndon „ 73 Manchester includlng village 2.3ÍM Manchester village l,15ti Northfleld township 1,273 Plttsfleld „ 1,233 Malem 1.1W2 Saline tp. inciuding village 1,927 Saline village _ 729 Sciotp. includlng Dexter 1,927 Dexter village 1,008 Sharon tp 1.161 Superior 1,253 Sylvan inciuding Chelsea 2,200 Chelsea village 1,160 Webster 7. 969 York . 1,717 Ypsilantl 4,984 Ward 1 _ 1,055 " 2 7U7 -- 3 i,ioü " 4 . 670 5 1,296 Ypsilantl township 1,459-1,91 Total 41,848 This census, it will be remembered was taken three years ago, and of course there would now be an increase on these figures. As a usual thing all our villages are a great deal larger by word of mouth than by the relentless and heartless figures of the census taker. So they are of value to show the actual faets. Washtenaw being comparatively speak ing one of the old counties of the State its available and tillable land is taken. On this account but little encouragenient is given to new settlers, and the tendency is to enlarge the farms already laid out rather than to increase the number by making smaller ones. For this reason the figures given for many of the townships in 1880 would closely approximate those of today. Many of the villages, however, are showing a slow but steady increase. Tliis is due to the natural gain of births over deaths, as well as to the fact that, as the farmers who have been here for years have obtained comfortable competences and are getting too old for hard farm work, they become possessed with a desire to move to town where they and their children can . have moreadvantages. Thisbrings a constant stream of new and fresh blood and sinew into our towns which acts as a powerful influence for good, both in health and moráis. To the above causes, another, not totally dissimilar to the last, helps Ann Arbor's figures. Every summernew families are moving into the city from the country and from other towns. They are well-to-do people who come for the educational advantajres to tlieir children. To give tliem the full course in the High School and University takes from four to eight years. And af ter they have been here that lengtli of time they are usually attached enough to the place to remain. So the city has a steady substantial growtli.