The population of the state in 1880 was 4,282,891, and in 1890 the population of the state was 5,258,014, an increase of 975, 123, or 22.77 per cent. during the decade.

Of the sixty-seven counties in the state, only twelve show decreases. In no case is the decrease greater than 9 per cent. The counties showing decreases are as follows: Armstrong, Clarion, Crawford, Fulton, Juniata, Mercer, Monroe, Perry, Pike, Snyder, Susquehanna and Wayne. The counties showing increases of more than 50 per cent. are as follows: Allegheny, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Potter. Philadelphia and Allegheny counties show the largest numerical increases. Philadelphia county shows an increase of 199,794, or 23.58 per cent., while Allegheny county shows an increase of 196,090, or 55.10 per cent. The largest percentage of increase is found in Forest county, where there has been an increase of 93.43 per cent. since 1880. This table is taken from the Report of the Secretary of Internal Affairs, Parts 1 and 2, 1892.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE CITIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.

AN ACT

Dividing the cities of this State Into three classes with respect to their population and designating the mode of ascertaining and changing the classification thereof in accordance therewith.

Section 1. Be it enacted, &c., That for the purposes of legislation, regulating their municipal affairs, the exercise of certain corporate powers and having respect to the number, character, powers and duties of certain officers thereof, the cities now in existence and those to be hereafter created in this Commonwealth, shall be divided into three classes. Those containing a population of six hundred thousand or over shall constitute the first class.

Those containing a population of one hundred thousand, and under six hundred thousand, shall constitute the second class.

Those containing a population of under one hundred thousand shall constitute the third class.

Section 2. The classification of said cities, respectively, shall be ascertained and fixed by reference to their population, according to the last preceding United States census, or any municipal census taken later, and whenever it shall appear, by any such census, that any city of the second or third class has attained a population entitling it to an advance in classification as herein prescribed, it shall be the duty of the Governor, under the great seal of the Commonwealth, to certify the fact accordingly; which certificate shall be entered at large upon the minutes of the councils of such city and recorded in the office for the recording of deeds of the proper county. At the municipal election, occurring not less than one month after the date of such certificate, the proper officers shall be elected to which the said city will become entitled under the change in classification, and upon the first Monday of April next succeeding thereto, the terms of all officers of said city then in office, whose offices are superseded by reason thereof, shall cease and determine, and the city government shall be duly organized and shall thereafter be controlled and regulated by the laws of this Commonwealth, applicable to the same under the respective classification hereby fixed and appointed. (Act of 8th May, 1889. P. L. 133.)

POPULATION OF PRINCIPAL CITIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.*

[The eighty-two cities and boroughs having a population of 4,000 or more according to the census of 1890 are given, in the order of their rank, together with the figures for 1880.]

There has been a large increase in urban population in the state during the last ten years. According to the census of 1880 there were fifty-six cities and boroughs having a population of 4,000 or more. These fifty-six cities and boroughs had, in the aggregate, a population of 1,658,523. Under the present census there are eighty-two cities and boroughs which have 4,000 or more inhabitants, with an aggregate population of 2,368,607. This shows a net increase in the number of cities of this class of twenty-six, while the difference in population between the total for the cities of 4,000 or more in 1890 and 1880 is 710,084, an increase of 42.81 per cent.

The largest numerical increase in urban population is found in Philadelphia. This city shows an increase of 199,794, or 23.58 per cent. Pittsburg shows an increase of 82.228, or 52.58 per cent. Allegheny City, Scranton, Reading, Erie, Wilkesbarre, Altoona, Johnstown and McKeesport show increases of more than 10,000. The following places show increases of more than 100 per cent.: Johnstown, McKeesport. Pottstown, South Bethlehem, Nanticoke, Steelton, Butler, Braddock, Mount Carmel, Homestead, Dubois, Milton, Wilkinsburg and Tarentum.