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<br /> <br />The native American Indian is an important ethnic group in <br />the basin. In 1975, the estimated Indian population of the <br />basin's 23 reservations totaled 65,400. Indian population on <br />reservations is projected to grow to nearly 84,000, an increase <br />of over 25 percent, by the year 2000. The 1970 U.S. Census <br />showed the median income for Indian families to be about half <br />that for non-Indian families and far below the federally defined <br />poverty level. <br /> <br />As shown in table 1, basin population is projected to <br />increase by 11 percent over the period 1975-1985, and by 30 <br />percent over the period 1975-2000. Changes in the spatial <br />distribution of the population will accompany increases in total <br />population. Most notable is an expected 48 percent growth in <br />urban population by the year 2000. Correspondingly, rural <br />population is projected to decrease by 4 percent during the 1975- <br />2000 period. <br /> <br />EmPlovment <br /> <br />The Missouri River Basin is one of the Nation's most <br />economically diverse areas. While agriculture has historically <br />dominated the economy, the region also has produced metallic and <br />precious minerals, timber products, energy fuels, and electric <br />power. More recently, substantial increases in mining, <br />manufacturing, and recreation-tourism have served to further <br />diversify the economic activities. <br /> <br />Historical and projected employment characteristics of the <br />basin generally correlate with those of the Nation. From 1940 to <br />1960, the region experienced a 35 percent decline in agricultural <br />employment while realizing a 116 percent increase in the <br />manufacturing sector and a60 percent increase in the other <br />employment sectors. Projected employment trends for the periOd <br />1975-2000 show a continuation of the historical employment <br />distribution pattern, but at a slower rate of change. By 1985, <br />manufacturing employment is projected to stabilize at 14 percent <br />of the basin's employed population. Agricultural employment will <br />continue to decline through 2000 and should achieve stability at <br />about 6 percent of the basin's employed population around the <br />turn of the century. <br /> <br />Between 1975 and 2000, Indian employment is projected to <br />increase from 17 percent of the Indian population to 19 percent. <br /> <br />-20- <br />