|
<br />PROJECTED FUTURE ECONO~N
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />One of the basic precepts for formulating a comprehensive framework
<br />plan is that the plan would be based on projected future economic
<br />conditions. This study, therefore, is based on people and their
<br />needs, now and in the future. To give a better understanding of
<br />the projected future, it is well to take a brief look at present and
<br />past trends. In 1960, the last census year, the Missouri Basin had
<br />a total population of 7,931,000. Of this total population, 2,985,000
<br />were employed. Employment in agriculture totalled 512,000; manufacturing,
<br />4ll,000; other commodity-producing industries, 216,000; and in the
<br />non-commodity sector 1,846,000 people. The per capita income was
<br />$1,813.
<br />
<br />POPULATION
<br />
<br />Brief comparison with national statistics indicates that in 1960,
<br />population of the basin was 4.5 percent of the Nation. Employment was the
<br />same proportion in the basin as for the Nation and the per capita income
<br />was about 9l percent of the average national income. From 1940 to 1960
<br />the U. S. population increased 33.6 percent, while the Missouri Basin
<br />increased only l7.l percent. In large part, this may be ascribed to
<br />the exodus of rural farm population which started in the 1930's. The
<br />total population of the basin increased from 6,772,000 in 1940 to
<br />7,93l,OOO in 1960. During the same period, urban population increased
<br />from 2,728,000 to 4,556,000; rural non-farm population from 1,571,000
<br />to 1,903,000, but farm population decreased from 2,472,000 to 1,472,000.
<br />
<br />"
<br />
<br />The eight planning subregions in the Missouri Basin had similar
<br />changes with the Platte-Niobrara region showing the greatest growth
<br />over all, and the Eastern Dakota Tributaries the least growth. Similar
<br />comparisons can be made for employment and income. This can be broadly
<br />interpreted to indicate that the Missouri Basin is predominantly an
<br />agricultural region, with agriculture and agri-business being the
<br />predominant economic activity. This has been changing during recent
<br />years as the basin becomes more urbanized. Although farm employment and
<br />farm population had been decreasing, the total land area in farms has
<br />stayed relatively constant. Farms are getting larger and agricultural
<br />production has been increasing. Another characteristic of the basin is
<br />the distribution of the population. It.is very similar to the pattern
<br />of annual rainfall, generally being highest in the eastern part of the
<br />basin, decreasing as it proceeds westerly in the basin, with a few
<br />scattered centers of higher density located around the principal trade
<br />centers. This is particularly true in the Denver area.
<br />
<br />Past trends were used tD'guide the determination of future condi-
<br />tions. Theae',have been followed for deriving the various economic factors
<br />
<br />17
<br />
<br />
|