Projections of Croton’s growth abound. But has anyone looked at Croton’s population statistics over the past century? I was trained as a scientist. The first rule in science is to gather data so as to be able to deduce theories, reproduce the results of others or draw conclusions.
For the record, therefore, and for use by those who value and use statistics, I offer the following table. All figures, except for one instance that is noted, are verified population figures from the pertinent decennial U.S. Census. The drop down to single-digit percentage growth since 1970 may indicate that Croton is approaching population saturation, at least for a while. It will be interesting to see what next year’s 2010 census holds for Croton.
Croton-on-Hudson Population Statistics and Growth
1898: Croton-on-Hudson incorporates1900: 1,533
1907: First lots sold in Harmon
1910: 1,806 (+273 = +17.8% )
1917-18: U.S in World War I
1920: 2,286 (+480 = +26.6%)
1930: 2,447 (+161 = +7.0%)
1932: Harmon, Mt. Airy absorbed by Croton
1940: 3,843 (+1,396 = +57.0%) (See Note 1)
1941-45: U.S. in World War II
1950: 4,837 (+994 = +25.9%)
1960: 6,812 (+1,975 = +40.8%)
1970: 7,523 (+711 = +10.4%) (See comment below)
1980: 6,889 (-634 = -8.1%)
1990: 7,018 (+129 = +2.9%)
2000: 7,606 (+588 = +8.4%)
2008: 7,919 (+313 = +4.1%) (See Note 2)
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Note 1: The figure of 1,396 includes population growth in Croton, and the added population contributed by Harmon and Mt. Airy.
Note 2: July 2008 estimate. Source: city-data.com
The 1970 figure appears to be anomalous. No one in authority can explain the rise to a total population that would not be approached again for three decades. The drop off in the 1980 census is also puzzling, resulting in a net gain in population between 1960 and 1980 of only 77 persons, or one percent.. The consensus is that these widely swinging numbers represent changes in the designated election districts used to delimit the boundaries of Croton-on-Hudson for census purposes.
