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Since 1790, a United States census has occurred every ten years. The primary purpose of the census is the apportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure that each person in the United States is represented equally. California, the largest state, has 52 representatives while Wyoming, the least populous state, has just one.
Census 2000 also provides vital information for parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Helpful census information is available to parishes about race, age, the structure of households, income, education, etc.
Waukesha County is the fastest growing county in the archdiocese and the second in the state of Wisconsin, adding 56,052 people between 1990 and 2000.
The municipalities with the greatest increase of population in the archdiocese are:
the city of Kenosha - 9,926
the city of Oak Creek - 8,943
the city of Waukesha - 7,931
the city of Franklin - 7,639
the village of Menomonee Falls - 5,807
The municipalities with the greatest decrease of population in the archdiocese are:
the city of Milwaukee - 31,114
the city of Racine - 2,443
the city of Wauwatosa - 2,095
the city of West Allis - 1,967
the village of Greendale - 723
The greatest change in any racial group was the decrease of 102,675 Whites in Milwaukee County. In all ten counties of the archdiocese, Black/African Americans have increased by 45,798; Whites have increased by 22,304; Asian/Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander peoples have increased by 16,445, and Native American, American Indian and Alaska Native have increased by 388. All those reporting “other race” increased by 27,997. Hispanics (of any race) have increased by 32,545 for all ten counties of the archdiocese. There are over 134,358 Hispanics in the 10 counties comprising the archdiocese, and 107,486 are Catholic.
Census 2000 clearly challenges all of our parishes to be welcoming communities at all times in all ways. What do we need to do to insure that we are indeed a Church for all people? By way of a snapshot demographic study, the archdiocesan Office for Parish Planning can provide a closer look at where your parishioners are living and who are potential parishioners.
This demographic study is free of charge and gives the latest data from Census 2000. The studies are completed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Staff can also assist with a census of your parish and a strategic planning process that includes a more detailed demographic study.
Contact the Office for Parish Councils & Planning, 414-769-3381, 800-769-9372, x381 or e-mail melcherr@archmil.org.
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