Saturday, April 15, 2023

U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 population projections: Iowa's 15th smallest county (Lucas) has fewer residents than it did in 1870

 
Iowa has 99 counties.

95.1% whitLucas County's population has decreased 46% since its 1900 peak of 16,126.  
 
Sources:  Wikipedia (1860-2020), U.S. Census Bureau (2022)





Related post:
Adair County.  (4/13/2023)
Adams County.  (4/10/2023)
Audubon County.  (4/10/2023)
Decatur County.  (4/15/2023)
Fremont County.  (4/11/2023)
Ida County  (4/13/2023)
Monroe County.  (4/15/2023)
Osceola County.  (4/11/2023)
Pocahontas County.  (4/13/2023)
Ringgold County.  (4/10/2023)
Taylor County.  (4/11/2023)
Van Buren County.  (4/13/2023)
Wayne County.  (4/11/2023)
Worth County.  (4/14/2023)

U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 population projections: Iowa's 14th smallest county (Decatur) has fewer residents than it did in 1860

 
Iowa has 99 counties.

91.5% white Decatur County's population has decreased 70% since its 1900 peak of 18,115.  
 
Sources:  Wikipedia (1850-2020), U.S. Census Bureau (2022)


WHO, 2/4/2018 
There aren’t enough young people. There aren’t enough well-paying jobs. There aren’t as many workers needed on the family farm anymore. This is the situation in Decatur County, but it’s also what life is life in most of Iowa’s other counties, too. A recent state report found 79 of the state’s 99 counties are declining in population. 
Decatur County has the unfortunate distinction of being Iowa’s poorest county when you consider a variety of factors like income, poverty, and opportunities. The county that sits on the southern Iowa/northern Missouri border has just 8,200 people. That is less than half the people who lived there about 150 years ago.
Related post:
Adair County.  (4/13/2023)
Adams County.  (4/10/2023)
Audubon County.  (4/10/2023)
Fremont County.  (4/11/2023)
Ida County  (4/13/2023)
Monroe County.  (4/15/2023)
Osceola County.  (4/11/2023)
Pocahontas County.  (4/13/2023)
Ringgold County.  (4/10/2023)
Taylor County.  (4/11/2023)
Van Buren County.  (4/13/2023)
Wayne County.  (4/11/2023)
Worth County.  (4/14/2023)

U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 population projections: Iowa's 13th smallest county (Monroe) has fewer residents than it did in 1860

 
Iowa has 99 counties.

94.7% white Monroe County's population has decreased 70% since its 1910 peak of 25,429.  
 
Sources:  Wikipedia (1860-2020), U.S. Census Bureau (2022)


KMIT, 8/21/2022 
The fastest growing area in the state remained Dallas County, west of Des Moines, which grew 50.7% in the past decade to a population of 99,678 in 2020 from just over 66,000 in 2010. The data shows four counties — Johnson, Polk, Warren and Story — grew by more than 10% and 26 counties increased by less than 10%. The remaining 68 counties lost population.

Related post:
Adair County.  (4/13/2023)
Adams County.  (4/10/2023)
Audubon County.  (4/10/2023)
Fremont County.  (4/11/2023)
Ida County  (4/13/2023)
Osceola County.  (4/11/2023)
Pocahontas County.  (4/13/2023)
Ringgold County.  (4/10/2023)
Taylor County.  (4/11/2023)
Van Buren County.  (4/13/2023)
Wayne County.  (4/11/2023)
Worth County.  (4/14/2023)

How badly are the presidential campaigns of Nikki Haley and Tim Scott going? They both have anemic poll numbers in their home state.

 



Pot?  Have a toke!  Drag shows?  Fuggedaboudit!
Favorability ratings among general population: Nikki Haley remains favorable in the state with 53% expressing a favorable view. Forty-three percent of South Carolinians express a favorable view of Donald Trump. Three-fourths of Republicans see both Haley and Trump as favorable.\
Opinions regarding the legalization of marijuana remain largely unchanged since the last Winthrop Poll with most South Carolinians favoring the legalization of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes. 
Concerning proposed laws banning public Drag Shows, a majority of Republicans support a ban while only 37% of the general public does.

Covid Chronicles Chapter 24: Bulk Food Sales Suspended

 
Read chapter 23 here

Photos by Retiring Guy


Tuesday, April 14 


During the early days of the pandemic, before the Willy Street Coop placed a limit on the number on the customers it allowed inside, I experienced a reverse ‘wow moment’ after walking into the store unimpeded. Preparing for the worst, JoAnna and I decided to stock up on staples. Among the items in my shopping list: rice, lentils, navy beans, and oatmeal. I abruptly stopped in my tracks when I noticed large sheets of clear plastic draped over all of the bulk food containers. Upon closer inspection, I read the following message on a signboard. 
Per the Public Health Madison and Dane County directive, we cannot offer self-dispensed, unpackaged products. 
That makes perfect sense, I thought. 

The handling of plastic bags and ties, a marker to write down the 4-digit product code, the scoop, the hinged plastic top or handle. A lot of touching is involved in the transfer of product to bag. Not to mention the fact that customers were previously allowed to bring in their own bags and containers. 

But it was an outcome of the response to the virus that I neglected to consider. It never crossed my mind, despite the fact that we frequently purchase items in bulk on our coop visits. When I checked the shelves for packaged oatmeal, legumes, and rice, I found them empty. 



Buying in bulk is not likely to return to stores anytime soon, I fear. Perhaps in preparation for this outcome, Willy Street staff now package many of the products the store formerly offered in bulk, including the dark chocolate-covered almonds that JoAnna and I have become so fond of. (Very when pounded into small pieces and sprinkled on vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce. Fortunately, it’s one of the packaged bulk items in stock.) 

On the other hand, changes haven’t been as noticeable in the produce section. ‘Naked’ bananas are still for sale by the bunch. Potatoes, onions, broccoli, and many other vegetables are still displayed as if we were still in pre-virus times. The one notable exception is mushrooms. No more using plastic tongs — or bare hands — to make your own selection. Bulk lettuce and spinach are also gone. 

Back to the topic of bags and containers from home, which, I confess, was another virus outcome not on my radar. From its earliest days of operation, Willy Street encouraged customers to bring their own bags to pack their groceries. I imagine it pained them, as well as many of their customers, to implement this restriction. We have at least a half dozen bags of various sizes, materials and colors which hang on hooks in the hallway that we use for this purpose. None of them are laundered on a regularly basis. In fact, I can’t remember the last time any of them were tossed into the washer. According to an article I read recently, scientific evidence is lacking on this precaution. 

Nowadays, though, I suppose it’s best to be overly cautious.

GET ME REWRITE: Pitch clock cuts into beer sales at major league baseball stadiums

 
Photo credit:  The Top Step


Unintended consequences
To combat that time crunch, at least four teams — the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers — have extended alcohol sales through the eighth inning this season. Others, like the Miami Marlins and New York Mets, still have seventh-inning cutoffs, but haven't ruled out changes. 
“Totally makes sense to me,” said Tom Lienhardt, who was sipping on a beer Tuesday night before the Brewers-Diamondbacks game at Chase Field. “Since the games are shorter, you’ve got to adjust.” 
Teams historically have stopped selling alcohol after the seventh. 
At least one team, the Baltimore Orioles, already sold alcohol through the eighth inning, or until 3 1/2 hours after first pitch, whichever came first


U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 population projections: Iowa's 12th smallest county (Worth) has fewer residents than it did in 1880

 
93.7% white Worth County's population has decreased 37% since its 1920  peak of 11,630.  
 
Sources:  Wikipedia (1860-2020), U.S. Census Bureau (2022)


I will concede that observations of Iowa’s demographic sluggishness are not a novel revelation. A report from a public institution in Ames stated the following about Iowa’s demographics at the time of publication: 
1. The population of Iowa cities has increased steadily. 
2. The farm population of Iowa has decreased slowly. 
3. Many Iowa small towns have decreased in size. 
4. The number and proportion of older people in the population have increased steadily and rapidly. 
This report, fittingly titled “Changes in Iowa Population,” was released in November 1947, but its findings are just as true 64 years later. The institution in question was the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts — it would not be until 1959 that the school would be renamed Iowa State University.
Can you spell 'inexorable'?

Related post:
Adair County.  (4/13/2023)
Adams County.  (4/10/2023)
Audubon County.  (4/10/2023)
Fremont County.  (4/11/2023)
Ida County  (4/13/2023)
Osceola County.  (4/11/2023)
Pocahontas County.  (4/13/2023)
Ringgold County.  (4/10/2023)
Taylor County.  (4/11/2023)
Van Buren County.  (4/13/2023)
Wayne County.  (4/11/2023)

U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 population projections: Iowa's 11th smallest county (Adair) has fewer residents than it did in 1880


94.5% white Adair County's population has decreased 60% since its 1900 peak of 16,192.  
 
Sources:  Wikipedia (1860-2020), U.S. Census Bureau (2022)


Adair County is one of 68 counties in the state that lost population from 2010 to 2020. Of the 31 counties that grew, Dallas County grew by 50.7%, or a hike from 66,135 in 2010 to 99,678 now, the most growth of any county.

The smallest 10% Iowa 99 counties compries 2.1% of the steate's population.




Related post:
Adams County.  (4/10/2023)
Audubon County.  (4/10/2023)
Fremont County.  (4/11/2023)
Ida County  (4/13/2023)
Osceola County.  (4/11/2023)
Pocahontas County.  (4/13/2023)
Ringgold County.  (4/10/2023)
Taylor County.  (4/11/2023)
Van Buren County.  (4/13/2023)
Wayne County.  (4/11/2023)

U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 population projections: Iowa's 10th smallest county (Van Buren) has fewer residents than it did in 1850

 
96.1% white Van Buren County's population has decreased 60% since its 1870 peak of 17,672.  
 
Sources:  Wikipedia (1860-2020), U.S. Census Bureau (2022)


Van Buren went full Trumpy in 2016


Related post:
Adams County.  (4/10/2023)
Audubon County.  (4/10/2023)
Fremont County.  (4/11/2023)
Ida County  (4/13/2023)
Osceola County.  (4/11/2023)
Pocahontas County.  (4/13/2023)
Ringgold County.  (4/10/2023)
Taylor County.  (4/11/2023)
Wayne County.  (4/11/2023)

Thursday, April 13, 2023

JoAnne Smith Chew (1940-2023) Warren High School class of 1958

 
1958 Dragon yearbook  
Source:  Peterso Blick Funeral Home

1967 Warren City Directory 

    1983 Warren City Directory 

    The popularity of JoAnne as a baby name is graphed here.  Let's take a look at daughter Judi.

    Judi spent 33 years on the baby names charts, peaking at #299 in 1946.


    Other class of 1958 members (32)
    2023
    Robert Yerg.  (3/31) 

    2022
    Sarah Ullrich.  (9/29)
    Theodore Bleach . (9/18)
    Rose Tasty Eck . (7/18)

    2021
    Robert Engstrom.  (10/10)
    John Acklin (8/11)

    2020
    Ardith McCool Atkins.  (12/27)

    GET ME REWRITE: Noxubee County, Mississippi is one of many rural areas across the United States that is emptying out

     
    Source:  Wikipedia

    Retiring Guy suggests taking this website puffery with a grain of salt.


    Never heard of Noxubee County until I read this article in today's New York Times.


    Though the county’s population is mostly Black, every sheriff elected in Noxubee County was white until 1988, when Albert Walker became the first Black man to hold the office. Mr. Grassaree, his handpicked successor, was the second.

    Republicans: They just can't help themselves

     
    Top headlineNew York Times, 4/11/2023
    Mr. Kelly was a poor candidate who lost by an almost identical margin in another state Supreme Court race in 2020, noted David Winston, a longtime pollster and strategist for House Republican leaders. And, Mr. Winston added, Republicans may have lost female voters by 8 percentage points in the 2022 midterm elections, but they lost them by 19 points in 2018.

     

    as he received 50% of the vote in the primary, a good indication that the election was going his way.
     


    And while we're at it, let's take a look at some numbers that are meaningful.

    In conservative Waukesha County, Dan Kelly received 7,941 more votes in 2023 than he did in 2020.  On the other hand, Janet Protasiewicz increased Jill Karosky's 2020 vote tally by 13,900.

    The vote in Waukesha County



    UPDATE: Bishops Bay Farm and Prairie Neighborhoods: April 2023 construction site visit


    Photos and videos by Retiring Guy






     

    1/16/2023 update starts here

    Screenshots and videos by Retiring Guy















    10/26/2022 update starts here

    Photos, screenshots and videos by Retiring Guy

























    9/30/2022 update starts here

    Photos and videos by Retiring Guy













    8/25/2022 update starts here

    Photos and video by Retiring Guy









    7/20/2022 update starts here

    Photos and videos by Retiring Guy






     





    6/20/2022 update starts here

    Upper road on the map (below)

    Photos and video by Retiring Guy

    Lower road on the map



    The map (red arrows added)





    5/12/2022 update starts here

    Photos and video by Retiring Guy













    10/27/2021 update starts here

    Screenshot and video by Retiring Guy




    8/21/2021 update starts here

    Photos and videos by Retiring Guy

    View from Peach Blossom Court





    View from Apricot Blossom Court












    6/15/2021 update starts here

    The development is starting to fill in.

    Photos and video by Retiring Guy






    5/8/2021 update starts here

    From a distance

    Photos and videos by Retiring Guy

    From a zoomed-in distance


    Screenshot from video 1





    Screenshot from video 2



    11/22/2020 update starts here



    Photos by Retiring Guy





    11/7/2020 update starts here

    Now in its 3rd year of slo-mo development

    From Prairie Water Court, looking northeast

    Photos and videos by Retiring Guy

    Mailboxes at Prairie Water Court, but no houses


    Lots of undeveloped lots as seen from Cranberry Blosson Court


    View from County Trunk Highway M





    7/12/2020 update starts here

    Still lots of wide-open space in this slow-moving development.

    Photos by Retiring Guy





    5/18/2020 update starts here

    Photos by Retiring Guy



    3/7/2020 update starts here

    Does lot 249 include the silos?

    Photos and videos by Retiring Guy



    The view from lot #198



    9/7/2019 update, "After a puzzling lull, new activity at Bishops Bay Farm and Prairie Neighborhood development" starts here.


    Video and photo by Retiring Guy

    First new activity, digging a foundation, to take place here since June.



    6/14/2019 update starts here.

    Just one additional house under contruction since the last visit almost 6 months ago.

    Photo and video by Retiring Guy



    12/31/2018 update starts here.

    a.k.a. Bishops Bay Farm and Prairie Neighborhood


    Videos and photos by Retiring Guy

    The Farm Neighborhood

    The Prairie Neighborhood 








    10/20/2018 update, "Panorama of the newly paved streets of the Community of Bishops Bay phase 5", starts here.

    Surprisingly, no construction activity has started since thet June video.

    The view from Cranberry Blossom Court


    Video and photo by Retiring Guy


    6/26/2018 update, "Driving the newly paved streets of the Community of Bishops Bay phase 5", starts here.



    6/7/2018 update starts here.

    From the newly paved, divided access road into the development

    Photos by Retiring Guy

    Oncken Road near County Trunk Highway M.  (Didn't expect to see any excavation going on here.)


    4/5/2018 update starts here.

    Photo and video by Retiring Guyt




    3/14/2018 update, "Stay tuned for changing horizon lines", starts here.

    From county trunk highway M at the Perch Place curve
    Photos and video by Retiring Guy

    View from Onken Road just west of CTH M






    2/28/2018 update, "Phase 5 excavation work continues at The Community of Bishops Bay in the Town of Westport", starts here.



    Video and photo by Retiring Guy


    Original 1/9/2018 post, "Auto tour of early excavation work of phase 5 of The Community of Bishops Bay", starts here.



    Westport OKs Bishops Bay phase 5.  (Waunakee Tribune, 7/5/2017)
    The plan calls for 86 single-family homes on 53 acres on Hwy. M across from Governor Nelson State Park and north of Holy Wisdom Prairie Lands and the Hwy. M trail.

    County Trunk Highway M, especially the highlighted stretch west of the white arrow, is going to be looking a lot different this year.


     Source:  Community at Bishops Bay (highlights, arrows, and text box added)

    Related posts:
    UPDATE. An auto tour of the Community of Bishops Bay.  (11/29/2017)
    Bishops Bay Branch Library in Middleton's Future?  (10/23/2012)