Steady Staten

[jimrtex]

I just noticed that Richmond County, New York has increased in population in every census since 1790.

Are there any others?  Doing a bit of searching, the other two in New York are Orange and Suffolk. So the key appears to be never developing a strong core, but being close enough to NYC to capture their outflow.

[jimrtex]

I just noticed that Richmond County, New York has increased in population in every census since 1790.

Are there any others?  Doing a bit of searching, the other two in New York are Orange and Suffolk. So the key appears to be never developing a strong core, but being close enough to NYC to capture their outflow.

In Connecticut, Fairfield and New Haven, though New Haven is negative for the first half of this decade.

[jimrtex]

In Massachusetts:

Bristol

survived by an increase of 47 during the 1930s (0.012%). Since then suburban growth from Boston has overshadowed losses in New Bedford and Fall River

Norfolk

Norfolk had a decline from 110K to 89K between 1860 and 1870, but this was due to the annexation of Roxbury and Dorchester to Boston (and Suffolk County). The population increased in both the 1860 areas, and the 1870 areas.

Plymouth

Worcester

So like in New York, close to  the big city but not too close works best.

[jimrtex]

In New Hampshire

Hillsborough

Between 1820 and 1830 Merrimack County was formed from Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, with enough from Hillsborough to account for the drop in population for Hillsborough.

There was also a small increase in the post-1830 portion of the county, as Nashua began to develop as a mill town (Manchester would follow in the 1840 decade).

[jimrtex]

In Maine

Cumberland. There was a decline from 1850-1860 due to the creation of Androscoggin, which donated Auburn, Danville (later annexed to Auburn), Durham, Minot, and Poland. Surprisingly, Lewiston came from Lincoln.

Androscoggin had increased every decade from its founding, up until the 2000 Census.

[jimrtex]

None in Vermont.

New Jersey:

Camden none since it formation in 1850 (from Gloucester). Is negative for this decade.

Cumberland would be except it lost 2 persons between 1810 and 1820 (12,670 to 12,668). Is negative for this decade.

Gloucester, which gained in 1840 and 1850 including/excluding the detachments of Atlantic and Camden.

Mercer since its formation in 1840.

Monmouth which gained in 1850, including/excluding detachment of Ocean. Is negative for this decade.

Warren lost 36 in 1890 (36,589 to 36,553). Is negative for this decade.

[jimrtex]

Pennsylvania:

Berks (up 0.9% this decade)
Bucks (up 0.9% this decade)
Butler since formation in 1800 (up 1.6% this decade)
Chester
Cumberland (including/excluding Perry detached in 1820)
Dauphin (including/excluding Lebanon detached in 1820) (up 1.8% this decade)
Franklin
Lancaster
Lebanon since formation in 1820
Lehigh since formation in1820
Monroe lost 64 in 1890 (20,175 to 20,111). Is also down 2.0% this decade after increasing 22.5% in previous decade.
Montgomery
York (including Adams detached in 1800. It is conceivable that the current area of York declined from 1790 to 1800. The combination of York+Adams only had a 2.8% increase). (up 1.8% this decade).

None in Delaware.

Maryland

Baltimore county (losses in 1860, 1890, and 1920 were caused by separation of Baltimore city and annexations to the city(,
Carroll since formation in 1840 (up 0.3% in this decade)
Washington (up 1.5% in this decade)
Wicomico since formation in 1870

[jimrtex]

JimrTex.. You might have better access than I do to county level population data.  (I have to check them on wikipedia individually).

I wonder what counties have had the longest stretch of declining population.

In Minnesota it looks to be Kittson County in the far NW.  It has lost population in 9 of the past 10 censuses.  It actually last grew in the 1930s, regaining the population it had lost in the 1920s. 

But there must be counties that lost in every census since before 1920.

Population of States and Counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990

I have the print version (available as PDF) at above. If you use the PDF file, be sure to also get the Errata. But there are also Excel/ASCII files. What is particularly useful is that it has formation histories.

I have been using Wikipedia for 2000 and 2010 and 2015 estimates.

Maine: Aroostook since 1960 (32.8% loss 1960-2010)

New Hampshire: Coos since 1980

Massachusetts: Berkshire since 1970

[jimrtex]

New York losers:

Since 1960: Niagara

Since 1970: Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Oneida

Since 1980. Allegany, Cattaraugus,

Special Mention:

St.Lawrence gained 13 in 2010 to break a streak since 1980. St.Lawrence has had 111,xxx for five of the past six censuses, and 111,9xx for four of the past six censuses.

Steuben gained 0.3% in 2010, erasing half of the consecutive losses from 1970 to 2010 where it lost a total of 0.8%.

[jimrtex]

New Jersey:

Hudson had lost every decade from 1930 to 1990, but has increased for the past two decades as people have flocked to the Jersey Shore. Other biggies in New Jersey, including Bergen, Hudson, and Union had lost from 1970 to 1990, only to add back population under the leadership of Governor Christie.

Pennsylvania:

Since 1940:

Cambria (lost 32.7% of population). Johnstown city has lost population every decade since 1930 (68.8% of total)
McKean

Since 1960:

Allegheny (up 0.6% for this decade)
Lawrence

Since 1970:

Beaver
Warren

Since 1980"

Armstrong (only one up decade since 1950)
Blair (only one up decade since 1950)
Indiana
Jefferson (only two up decades since 1910, the 1930s and 1970s)
Mercer
Northumberland (lost 28, 0.03% in 2010, only one up decade since 1930s)
Schuylkill (only one up decade since 1930, gained 0.3% in 1970s)
Venango (only one up decade since 1950)
Westmoreland

Special mentions:

Cameron every decade since 1960, except gained +61 in 2000.
Lackawanna lost every decade from 1930 to 2000, gained 0.5% to 2010, has resumed losing.
Philadelphia lost every decade since 1950, gained 0.6% in 2010. Lost all but two decades since 1930 (1940s and 2000s). 2010 population is 98.5% of 1910 population.
Forest gained 56.0% from 2000 to 2010, and is now within 30.1% of peak population in 1900.

[jimrtex]

Maryland:

Baltimore city since 1950. Estimate for 2015 estimated +0.1% increase.

Allegany had been since 1950, but gained +157 in 2010, an increase of 0.21%.

[jimrtex]

Virginia Losers:

Alleghany since 1980. Gain in 2010 was due to absorption of Clifton Forge IC. Clifton Forge has declined since 1970. Covington IC has lost since 1960, its first census after becoming an independent city in 1952. The traditional Alleghany County has also lost since 1980.

Buchanan since 1980.

Dickenson since 1980.

Halifax (excluding South Boston IC) since 1980. South Boston was absorbed into Halifax in 1995.

Highland since 1980.

Northampton since 1980, except for +32 (+0.25%).

Martinsville IC since 1980.

Petersburg IC since 1980

Portsmouth IC since 1960.


Virginia Winners

Counties (based on boundaries at the time of the census)

Fairfax since 1830 (increased despite creation of Fairfax and Falls Church cities, and annexation by Alexandria and Fairfax cities)

Page since formation in 1840 (is negative for current decade)

Prince William since 1870 (increased despite creation of Manassas and Manassas Park cities)

Montgomery since 1900 (loss in 1900 caused by creation of Radford city).

James City county since 1910 (this was after creation of Williamsburg)

Chesterfield since 1920 (this was after the creation of Manchester, but loss in 1920 may have been due to additional annexations to Richmond city, also increased despite creation of Colonial Heights)

Frederick since 1920 (this was after the creation of Winchester)

Henrico since 1920 (this was after annexations to Richmond city)


Traditional Counties (including territory in independent cities)

Campbell since 1790 (including Lynchburg)

Fairfax since 1830 (including Alexandria city, Fairfax city, and Falls Church)

Frederick since 1840 (loss in 1840 was mostly due to creation of Clarke and Warren counties, but there may have been a loss in the 1830 territory. Otherwise 1810. Includes Winchester)

Montgomery since 1840 (1840 population for Montgomery and Pulaski was less than 1830 for Montgomery. Includes Radford).

Page since formation in 1840 (is negative for current decade)

Rockingham since 1840 (loss in 1840 possibly due to creation of Page, otherwise 1790. Includes Harrisonburg).

Princess Anne (dissolved into Virginia Beach) since 1840.

Roanoke since 1860 (including Roanoke city)

Prince William since 1870 (including Manassas and Manassas Park)

Nansemond (dissolved into Suffolk) since 1870.


Independent Cities

Fredericksburg since formation in 1900.

Harrisonburg since formation in 1920.

Williamsburg since 1920.

Newport News since 1930.

Galax since formation in 1960.

Chesapeake since formation in 1970 (or South Norfolk since 1930)

Franklin since 1970

Manassas since formation in 1980

Manassas Park since formation in 1980.

Poquoson since formation in 1980.


Notable

Elizabeth City county (dissolved into Hampton) lost in 2010, first since 1840.

Charlottesville loss in 2000, first since formation in  1900.

Radford loss in 2000, first since formation in 1900.

[jimrtex]

Thank you for the link!  I'll take a look.  It would seem that Kittson county is one of the longest losing counties.  In fact, I'd wager the longest losing is somewhere on the plains or deep south.

Through 31 states (through WI + WV)


National Leaders  (5 or More Decades)

Since 1890

Knox, MO

Since 1900

Adams, IA
Audubon, IA
Carroll, MO
Chariton, MO
Keokuk, IA
Shelby, MO
Stark, IL
Taylor, IA
Wayne, IA
Worth, MO

Since 1910

Monroe, IA

Since 1920

Calhoun, IA
Greene, IL
Iron, MI

Since 1930

Bolivar, MS
Borden, TX
Cass, IA
Collingsworth, TX
Cottle, TX
Fisher, TX
Foard, TX
Franklin, IA
Hall, TX
Hardeman, TX
Haskell, TX
Ida, IA
Kent, TX
Knox, TX
Lynn, TX
Motley, TX
Sac, IA
Shelby, IA
Throckmorton, TX
Woodruff, AR

Since 1940

Baylor, TX
Cambria, PA
Chicot, AR
Cherokee, IA
Clay, GA
East Carroll, LA
Fulton, KY
Gogebic, MI
Hickman, KY
Humphreys, MS
Kossuth, IA
Lee, AR
Lyon, IA
McKean, PA
Monona, IA
Monroe, AR
New Madrid, MO
Noxubee, MS
O'Brien, IA
Ohio, WV
Osceola, IA
Palo Alto, IA
Pemiscot, MO
Perry, AL
Pocahontas, IA
Quitman, MS
Sharkey, MS
Sumter, AL
Tensas, LA
Wilcox, AL

Since 1950

Baltimore city, MD
Coahoma, MS
Floyd, IA
Luce, MI
McDowell, WV
Mississippi, AR
Phillips, AR
St.Louis city, MO
Terrell, TX

Since 1960

Allegheny, PA
Aroostook, ME
Benton, IN
Briscoe, TX
Cabell, WV
Carroll, IL
Cerro Gordo, IA
Cochran, TX
Covington independent city, VA
Crosby, TX
Dallas, AL
Emmet, IA
Ford, IL
Floyd, TX
Gray, TX
Hardin, IA
Humboldt, IA
Jefferson, OH
Lawrence, PA
Mitchell. IA
Niagara, NY
Ontonagon, MI
Orleans, LA
Portsmouth independent city, VA
Refugio, TX
Upton, TX


State Leaders (less than 5 decades)

Since 1970

Berkshire, MA

Since 1980

Coos, NH

The following are Virginia leaders among counties, and traditional counties. See 1960 above for independent cities.

Alleghany, VA
Alleghany, including Covington IC, VA
Buchanan, VA
Dickenson, VA
Highland, VA

Washington, NC

Bamberg, SC
Union, SC

Since 1990

Newport, RI

Since 2000

Essex, Rutland, Windsor, VT

Cape May, Essex, NJ

Benton, Carroll, Clay, Grundy, Hardeman, Haywood, Lake, Obion, TN

Monroe, Pinellas, FL

Ashland, Buffalo, Burnett, Crawford, Door, Florence, Forest, Green Lake, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oneida, Price, Rusk, Washburn, Wood, WI


No Counties Lost in 2010. Latest Previous loss.

Last Loss in 1980

Hartford, CT (1970-1980)

Last Loss in 1920

Kent, DE (1900-1920)
Sussex, DE (1900-1920)

[jimrtex]

North Carolina losers:

Washington since 1980 (only three counties lost between 1990 and 2000).

North Carolina gainers.

Iredell since 1790 (loss in 1850 due to creation of Alexander)
Burke since 1790 (loss in 1840 due to creation of Yancey, loss in 1850 due to creation of Caldwell and McDowell).
Guilford since 1790
Lincoln since 1790 (loss in 1850 due to creation of Catawba, Cleveland, and Gaston)
Moore since 1790 (loss in 1910 due to creation of Lee)
Orange since 1790 (loss in 1850 due to creation of Alamance, loss in 1890 due to creation of Durham)
Randolph since 1790
Surry since 1790 (loss in 1860 due to creation of Yadkin). Surry is negative for current decade.
Wake since 1790
Wilkes since 1790 (loss in 1800 due to creation of Ashe, loss in 1850 due to creation of Caldwell and Alexander). Wilkes is negative for current decade.

Buncombe since formation in 1800 (loss in 1840 due to creation of Henderson and Yancey, loss in 1860 due to creation of Madison)
Cabarrus since formation in 1800

Haywood since formation in 1810 (loss in 1860 due to creation of Jackson)

New Hanover since 1820 (loss in 1880 due to creation of Pender)

Davidson since formation in 1830

Carteret since -6 loss in 1840, otherwise since 1790.
Craven since 1840 (loss in 1890 due to creation of Pamlico)
Davie since formation in 1840
Henderson since formation in 1840 (loss in 1870 due to creation of Transylvania)
Mecklenburg since 1840 (loss in 1850 due to creation of Union).
Pitt since 1840.
Rowan since 1840 (loss in 1840 partially due to creation of Davie, but combined Rowan+Davie lost population, loss in 1830 due to creation of Davidson. Rowan may have increased since 1790 in current borders).

Alamance since formation in 1850
Alexander since formation in 1850
Catawba since formation in 1850
Cleveland since formation in 1850
Forsyth since formation in 1850
Gaston since formation in 1850
McDowell since formation in 1850
Stanly since formation in 1850

Harnett since formation in 1860
Yadkin since formation in 1860

Transylvania since formation in 1870.

Durham since formation in 1890

Lee since formation in 1910

Hoke since formation in 1920.

[jimrtex]

South Carolina losers

Bamberg since 1980
Union since 1980

South Carolina gainers

Greenville since 1790

Horry since formation  in 1810
York since 1810

Anderson since formation in 1830

Lancaster since 1840
Pickens since 1840 (loss in 1870 due to creation of Oconee)
Sumter since 1840 (loss in 1860 due to creation of Clarendon, loss in 1910 due to creation of Lee)

Richland since 1860

Oconee since formation in 1870
Spartanburg since 1870

Aiken since creation in 1880

Florence since creation in 1890

Cherokee since creation in 1900
Greenwood since creation in 1900

[jimrtex]

Georgia Losers:

Clay County since 1940 (and 9 of last 10). Clay joins Cambria, PA with the longest losing located so far. Clay is on the Chattahoochee below Columbus, and is 60% black.

Stewart had a 10-decade (since 1900) broken in 2010. The Hispanic population increased by 14-fold between 2000 and 2007 to 24% (96% foreign born). ICE has a detention facility in the county.

Talbot had declined every decade between 1880 and 2000, before increasing in 2010. I have not found a reason, though census estimates showed an increase from 2000 to 2007. The population has resumed its decline, and estimates show a population below that of 2000. The only explanations that I could find is the opening of an aggregates mine, construction of the Fall Line Freeway (this an east west highway from Columbus to Macon to Augusta to bypass Atlanta). There was speculation that suburban growth from Harris County would spill over into Talbot, but that seems fanciful.

Warren had lost population from 1910 to 1990. After a gain in 2000, it has resumed its decline. The peak population was before the war. It is adjacent to Taliaferro County.

Webster had lost population every decade since 1900, before reversing the trend in both 2000 and 2010. Originally name Kinchafoonee it was renamed in honor of Daniel Webster. It is southeast of Columbus.

Other notables:

Baker snapped a streak from 1920 in 2000, and has lost population in 8 of the past 10 censuses. Baker is southwest of Albany.

Calhoun snapped a streak from 1930 in 2000, and gained again in 2010. Calhoun State Prison which opened in 1994, has about 1/4 of the population. Calhoun is west of Albany.

Chattahoochee has lost since 1970, losing 56.4% of its population (25,813 to 11,267). About 3/4 of the county is occupied by Fort Benning. Between 2011 and 2012 it was the fastest growing county in  the country.

Dougherty has lost population for the last three census. It is notable as more populous county, dropping below 100,000 during this period. Albany is the county seat.

Jefferson has lost population since 1980. The 1970s were its only increase since 1920.

Randolph has lost population since 1980, and 8 of the past 10 censuses. Its only increases were the 1930s and 1970s.

Taliaferro had lost population from 1940 to 1990. before gaining in 2000 and resuming a decline in 2010. It now has about 20% of its 1920 peak population. Taliaferro is the least populous county in Georgia, and 2nd least populous east of the Mississippi with a 2010 population of 1,717. It is the only county noted here that is not in southwest Georgia, as it is between Athens and Augusta. It is the birthplace and home of Alex Stephens.

[jimrtex]

Georgia Gainers

Richmond since 1790 (loss in 1800 due to creation of Columbia, Jefferson, and Warren). Richmond gained less than 1% between 2000 and 2010, and has gained less than 1% this decade.

Habersham since formation in 1820 (loss in 1840 due to creation of Lumpkin and Union; loss in 1860 due to creation of Banks and White; loss in 1910 due to creation of Stephens)

Hall since formation in 1820 (loss in 1840 due to creation of Cherokee, Fortsyth, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Murray, Union and Walker)

DeKalb since formation in 1830 (loss in 1860 due to creation of Fulton. Fulton lost population in 1970s)

Lowndes since formation in 1830 (loss in 1840 due to creation of Bartow, Lumpkin, and Union; loss in 1860 due to creation of Banks, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Echols, and White)

Muscogee since formation in 1830 (loss in 1860 due to creation of Chattahoochee)

Baldwin since 1840

Floyd since formation in 1840

Glynn since 1860

Spalding since formation in 1860

Whitfield since formation in 1860

Cobb since 1870

Walker since 1870

Wayne since 1870 (loss in 1930 due to creation of Brantley)

Stephens since formation in 1910

Tiff since formation in 1910

Peach since formation in 1930.

[jimrtex]

31st State is Wisconsin (plus West Virginia)

These counties have gained every census since 1790. If counties were formed from one of these counties, both the area at the previous census and the next census gained population. For example, if Buchanan county was created from Adams county between 1820 and 1830, then Adams vintage 1820 increased during the decade; and Buchanan vintage 1830 also increased during the decade.

For newer states, the starting date is the first census after statehood.


Counties Since 1790 Census

This includes the 13 original states plus the areas that later became Kentucky, Maine, and West Virginia; and Tennessee and Vermont.

Cumberland, ME

Hillsborough, NH

None in Vermont

Bristol, MA
Norfolk, MA
Plymouth, MA
Worcester, MA

None in Rhode Island

Fairfield, CT
New Haven, CT

Orange, NY
Richmond, NY
Suffolk, NY

Gloucester, NJ
Monmouth, NJ

Berks, PA
Bucks, PA
Chester, PA
Cumberland, PA
Dauphin, PA
Franklin, PA
Lancaster, PA
Montgomery, PA
York, PA

None in Delaware

Baltimore county, MD
Washington, MD

Campbell, VA (including Lynchburg)

Iredell, NC
Burke, NC
Guilford, NC
Lincoln, NC
Moore, NC
Orange, NC
Randolph, NC
Surry, NC
Wake, NC
Wilkes, NC

Greenville, SC

Richmond, GA

None in Kentucky

Davidson, TN
Greene, TN
Washington, TN

None in West Virginia


Counties That Have Gained Since First Census After Statehood

Since 1810

Butler, OH
Franklin, OH
Miami, OH

Since 1820

East Baton Rouge. LA

Floyd, IN
Monroe, IN

Baldwin, AL
Madison, AL
Morgan, AL
Shelby, AL
Tuscaloosa, AL

Since 1830

Cape Girardeau, MO
Cole, MO

Since 1840

Crittenden, AR
Pulaski, AR

Kalamazoo, MI
Kent, MI
Ottawa, MI

Since 1850

Brevard, FL
Duval, FL
Escambia, FL
Hillsborough, FL
Putnam, FL

Bexar, TX
Comal, TX
Dallas, TX
Galveston, TX
Harris, TX
Nueces, TX
Smith, TX
Travis, TX
Victoria, TX

Polk, IA

Brown, WI
Chippewa, WI
Dane, WI
Marathon, WI
Racine, WI
Sheboygan, WI
Waukesha, WI
Winnebago, WI


State Leaders That Began Streaks Since Statehood

Since 1810

New Castle, DE

Since 1830

Berkeley, WV

McCracken, KY

Sangamon, IL

Since 1880

Chittenden, VT

Since 1910

Forrest, MS

Since 1920

Washington, RI

[jimrtex]

West Virginia Winners

Berkeley since 1830. Berkeley was one of the counties reported for Virginia in 1790, and included present day Jefferson and Morgan counties. It had roughly 1/3 of the population of the modern West Virginia. The loss between 1820 and 1830 occurred after the creation of Jefferson and Morgan counties.

Jefferson since 1920

Wood (Parkersburg) increased every decade from its formation in 1800 until 1980. It lost population in the 1990 and 2010 censuses.

Brooke, Hancock, and Mineral increased every decade since 1870 until 1980. Brooke and Hancock in the northern panhandle have lost the last three decades, and are working on a 4th decline. Mineral below the western tip of Maryland has recovered and reached an all time high in 2010.

West Virginia Losers

Ohio since 1940. The county seat is Wheeling. The county joins Cambria, PA and Clay, GA with the longest losing streaks in the original 13 states.

McDowell since 1950. This county deep in coal country has lost 79.9% of its population over the past 60 years.

Cabell since 1960. The county seat is Huntington. It had losses of 83 (0.08%) and 43 (0.04%) during this period. It is up for this decade.

[jimrtex]

Kentucky Losers

Fulton since 1940
Hickman since 1940 (1940 only gain since 1920)

These counties are in the extreme western tip of Kentucky (Fulton includes the detached Kentucky Bend). Only 4 counties lost population in the 1980's, compared to 65 and 61 in the following and previous decade. These two counties join our list of 5 longest losing streaks.

Kentucky Gainers

McCracken since creation in 1830. It is down since 2010.

Fayette since 1860. Fayette was potentially a 1790 county, but had a few down years before the War, perhaps before Lexington became more established.

Warren since 1900

Boone since 1910

Daviess since 1920 (1920 was only loss since formation in 1830)

Franklin since 1920

Madison since 1920 (1920 was last loss since 1850)

Nelson since 1920

Notable

Boyd gained from formation in 1860 until 1980, but is down the past three decades.

Boyle's only loss was in 1970, since its formation in 1850.

Jefferson would have gained since 1790, except for losses in 1980 and 1990.

Bracken lost from 1880 to 1970. It is up the last four decades presumably due to its proximity to Cincinnati.

Kenton's loss in 1940, was only loss since formation in 1860.

Rowan's loss of -26 in 1950 (-0.20%) is its only loss since formation in 1860.

[jimrtex]

Tennessee Losers

No Tennessee counties lost population in the 1990s, and only one in the 1970s.

8 counties lost population in the 2000s. Those that continued a trend were:

Lake, the only county that lost population in the 1970s. Has lost population every census since 1960, except 2000, losing 33% of its population.

Haywood has lost population in 5 of 7 censuses since 1940, losing 32% of its population.

Clay has lost population in 5 of 7 censuses since 1940, losing 28% of its population.

Grundy has lost population in 4 of 6 censuses since 1950.

Obion has gained 16.6% since 1890, gaining in seven censuses, and losing in five. It reached local maxima in 1910, 1940, 1980, and 2000; and local minima 1920, 1960, and 1990.

Tennessee Winners

Davidson since 1790. Nashville is the county seat.

Greene since 1790, the loss in 1800 was due to the creation of Cooke, Jefferson, and Sevier. Greene is in far eastern Tennessee, and is losing population this decade.

Washington since 1790, the loss in 1880 was due to the creation of Unicoi. Washington is in far eastern Tennessee, and is the first county created in what is now Tennessee.

Knox since formation in 1800, the loss in 1810, was due to the creation of Anderson and Roane. Knoxville is the county seat.

Anderson since formation in 1810. Anderson tripled in population between 1930 and 1950 (it is the site of Oak Ridge), and has quite modest gains since.

Shelby since formation in 1820. Memphis is the county seat.

Madison since formation in 1830, the loss in 1890 was due to the creation of Chester. Jackson is the county seat, and is losing population this decade.

Blount since 1830.

Franklin since 1830 (loss in 1840 is due to creation of Coffee).

Cumberland since formation in 1860.

Bradley since 1870.

Hamblen since formation in 1880.

Loudon since formation in 1880.

[jimrtex]

Ohio became a state in 1803, after being a territory since 1802. There had been a few counties defined while part of the Northwest Territory, but most county formation happened after statehood. Thus any county that has increased every census since 1810 will be considered an original county.

Ohio Winners

Butler since 1810
Franklin since 1810
Miami since 1810 (Miami has been barely gaining, apparently benefiting from spillover from Dayton)

Lake since formation in 1840 (down for current decade)

Portage since 1860
Licking since 1870
Medina since 1870
Fairfield since 1890

Ohio Losers

Only nine counties lost between 1970 and 1980. Seven found it onto this list.

Jefferson since 1960. Jefferson joins the national list. During the past 50 years it has lost 30% of its population. The county seat is Steubenville.

Clark(Springfield), Crawford(Bucyrus), Cuyahoga(Cleveland), Hamilton(Cincinnati), Lucas(Toledo), and Mahoning(Youngstown).

Hamilton is up on this decade. I'm a bit surprised to see Clark on the list, but it has four consecutive small losses. Perhaps enough growth from Dayton to keep it low, but not to cause a gain.

[jimrtex]

Louisiana became the 18th State in 1812. Parishes that have gained since 1820 are considered to have gained every census since statehood.

Louisiana Gainers

East Baton Rouge since formation in 1820 (last 3 decades were only decades below 10%).

Lafayette since formation in 1830. Loss in 1850 due to creation of Vermillion.

Ouachita since 1860.

Bossier since 1910.

Louisiana Losers

Only 6 parishes lost population in the 1970s. Among them:

Tensas since 1940, losing 67% of its population.

East Carroll since 1940, losing 59% of its population.

Orleans since 1960. Katrina may cause it to be positive for this decade.

West Carroll, every decade since 1940 except 2000.

[jimrtex]

Indiana became the 19th State in 1813. Very few counties existed in 1810.

Indiana Gainers

Floyd (New Albany) since formation in 1820
Monroe (Bloomington) since formation in 1820

Allen (Fort Wayne) since formation in 1830
Elkhart (Elkhart) since formation in 1830
Johnson since formation in 1830

Tippecanoe since 1890

Indiana Losers

13 counties lost between 1970 and 1980, with 11 losing in both 1980 and 1990. Five of those have continued their streak.

Benton since 1960 (on the Illinois line west of Lafayette. Benton is adjacent to Tippecanoe, a gainer since 1890.

Blackford, Delaware(Muncie), Grant, and Wayne since 1970. All four are in east central Indiana.

[jimrtex]

Mississippi became the 20th State in 1817. At the time only the southern part of the state was open to settlement, and relatively few counties existed. Mississippi as a whole lost population in the 1920 and 1960 census.

Mississippi Gainers

Forrest since formation in 1910. The county seat is Hattiesburg, where University of Southern Mississippi is located. Many of the consistent gainers are on the interior Gulf Coast where counties were formed in the early 20th Century.

George since 1920. Interior Gulf Coast.

Oktibbeha since 1920. The county seat is Starkville, where Mississippi State is located.

Rankin since 1920. Rankin is the eastern suburbs of Jackson.

Stone since 1930. Interior Gulf Coast.

Hancock since 1940. Gulf Coast.

Lamar since 1940. Interior Gulf Coast.

Pearl River since 1940. Interior Gulf Coast.

Harrison had gained every decade since 1860, but lost in 2010, likely due to Katrina. The loss in 1920 was due to the creation of Stone. The county seats are Biloxi and Gulfport.

Hinds(Jackson) and Lowndes(Columbus) had increased every decade from 1920 to 1990. Lowndes declined in 2010, and Hinds declined both decades.

Mississippi Losers

In 1990, 15 counties had lost population since at least 1950. Six survive and join the national list.

Bolivar has lost since 1930. Over the past eight decades it has lost 52% of its population, with the largest percentage decline occurring in 2010. Bolivar is in the Delta.

Humphreys has lost since 1940. Located in the Delta, it has lost 64% of its population.

Noxubee has lost since 1940. It is on the Alabama border, and adjacent to consistent gainer Oktibbeha.

Quitman has lost since 1940. Located in the Delta, it has lost 70% of its population.

Sharkey has lost since 1940. Located in the Delta, it has lost 68% of its population.

Coahoma has lost since 1950. It is located in the Delta.

Jefferson lost population every decade from 1900 to 1990, but had an increase in 2000, followed by a decrease of 20.6% in 2010. Jefferson is north of Natchez and has the highest Black percentage in the country (85.7%). The increase in 2000 appears to be related to a new prison that opened. The 1990s census estimates totally missed the increase in population, while the 2000s estimates pegged the loss almost perfectly. The main campus of Alcorn State University has an address of Lorman, Mississippi, which is in Jefferson County, but the campus is actually in Claiborne County to the north.

Tallahatchie lost population from 1920 to 2000, but gained in 2010 after a private prison was built. The prison currently houses 2500 overflow prisoners from Califormia.

LeFlore lost population from 1930 to 1990, but gained in 2000 after a prison was built. It has since closed, and the population decline has resumed.

Sunflower lost population from 1930 to 1990, but gained in population in 2000. Sunflower is the location of the Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman Farm), and the 2000 increase may have been a result of an increased prison population.

Amite, Holmes, Issaquena, Tunica, and Wilkinson loat population from 1940 to 1990, but increased in 2000. All but Tunica lost in 2010.

Amite is on the Louisiana line southeast of Natchez and is the only county among longtime losers with a White majority (58%).

Holmes gained 5 persons (0.02%) in 2000, and lost about 2400 (11.16%) in 2010.

Issaquena is the least populous county in the US east of the Mississippi River. A regional prison opened in 1997, and the county population increased by 300. In the next decade it declined by 38.6%. The 2010 population is 11.4% of the peak population in 1890. In 1860, the slave population of 92.5% was the highest in the US. I found an article from the 1990s that Issaquena had approved riverboat casino gambling, but that Warren (Vicksburg) might reconsider its No vote. Issaquena is midway between Greenville and Vicksburg, both of which also have casinos. But both have river crossings and a more substantial population. It is conceivable that Issaquena had an early casino, but that it relocated to a more lucrative location.

Tunica increased in both 2000 and 2010 due to the presence of casinos. Tunica is just south of Memphis.

Wilkinson, south of Natchez increased in 2000 after a private prison was built, but continued its decline in 2010.