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I f' ,-" n rj' nil oJ\),,- .J,-, I I I I The native American Indian is an important ethnic group in the basin. In 1975, the estimated Indian population of the basin's 23 reservations totaled 65,400. Indian population on reservations is projected to grow to nearly 84,000, an increase of over 25 percent, by the year 2000. The 1970 U.S. Census showed the median income for Indian families to be about half that for non-Indian families and far below the federally defined poverty level. I I I I As shown in table 2-1, basin population is projected to increase by 11 percent over the period 1975-1985 and by 30 percent over the period 1975-2000. Changes in the spatial distribution of the population will accompany increases in total population. Most notable is an expected 48 percent growth in urban population by the year 2000. Correspondingly, rural population is projected to decrease by 4 percent during the 1975-2000 period. Employment I I I The Missouri River Basin is one of the Nation's most economically diverse areas. While agriculture has historically dominated the economy, the region also has produced metallic and precious minerals, timber products, energy fuels, and electric power. More recently, substantial increases in mining, manufacturing, and recreation-tourism have served to further diversify the I I economic activities. Historical and projected employment characteristics of the basin generally correlate with those of the Nation. From 1940 to 1960, the region experienced a 35 percent decline in agricultural employment while realizing a 116 percent I increase in the manufacturing sector and a 60 percent increase in the other I I I employment sectors. projected employment trends for the period 1975-2000 show a continuation of the historical employment distribution pattern, but at a slower rate of change. By 1985, manufacturing employment is projected to stabilize at 14 percent of the basin's employed population. Agricultural I 2-11