Vol. 30, No. 1, Spring/Summer 1992 - "1990 Census and Pennsylvania"



POPULATION CONCENTRATION AND REDISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA, 1850-1990

(pp. 1 – 12)


Joseph W. Bencloski and Leonard P. Tepper

Department of Geography and Regional Planning

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, Pennsylvania


Abstract


Using the coefficient of concentration, an index of dissimilarity between population and area distributions, this study revealed differences in the rates of concentration of Pennsylvania's total, white and non-white populations from 1850 to 1990. From 1850 to 1920 the state's total population became more concentrated in urban areas, but no further concentration occurred thereafter. Pennsylvania's white population exhibited an increase in concentration from 1850 to 1930, but declined in concentration over the next seven decades in response to suburbanization, the turnaround phenomenon, and outmigration from economically stagnant cities. The non-white population exhibited higher degrees of concentration than the white population, because of the traditional urban bias of the majority of the black population. The nonwhite population increased in concentration from 1850 to 1970, but a decline in concentration during the 1970s and 1980s was associated with decreasing black immigration and increasing suburbanization of the nonwhite group in general. Keywords: coefficient of concentration, index of dissimilarity.




RECENT TRENDS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF PENNSYLVANIA'S POPULATION BY RACE: A GRAPHIC REVIEW

(pp. 13 – 29)


George A. Schnell

Department of Geography

The College at New Paltz

State University of New York

New Paltz, New York


Abstract


Significant changes have occurred since 1980 in Pennsylvania's population, especially among some of its racial minorities. Although the number of white inhabitants has declined slightly, both statewide and in many counties, and black residents have increased in number only slightly and remained relatively stable in their highly urban-metropolitan pattern of residential distribution, other nonwhite populations (mostly Asian) have increased significantly. With its rapid growth, this still relatively small cluster of mostly Asian peoples has spread somewhat into traditionally white areas of the state, suggesting class differences with the black population, which is essentially urban-metropolitan. This paper presents a review of recent population trends in Pennsylvania, focusing on racial comparisons and distributions at county, metropolitan, and municipality levels. Much of the discussion is accompanied by maps and tables to provide visual evidence and data, as well as to heighten its utility for those interested in further pursuing the topic.




THE ENCROACHMENT OF MEGALOPOLIS INTO THE GREAT VALLEY: EVIDENCE FROM THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY

(pp. 30 – 46)


Richard P. Greene

Department of Geography

Northern Illinois University

DeKalb, Illinois


John E. Benhart

Department of Geography

Shippensburg University

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania


Abstract


The Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania is becoming increasingly encroached upon by Megalopolis. As of the 1980 decennial census, Megalopolis only extended into the northern portion of the Cumberland Valley; however, population counts from the 1990 decennial census indicate that Megalopolis is infiltrating the southern portion of the valley. A review of the criteria used to determine metropolitan status for counties reveals that the entire valley was close to being officially designated metropolitan in the 1980s. Out-dated assumptions about metropolitan form and inherent weaknesses in the official metropolitan classification guidelines, falsely characterize the southern portion of the Cumberland Valley as nonmetropolitan. The Cumberland Valley's future linkages to Megalopolis will be defined by the evolution of "edge cities" in the northwestern hinterland of Washington, DC.




POPULATION AND HOUSING TRENDS CHESTER COUNTY: THE NEW URBAN FRONTIER 1980 TO 1990

(pp. 47 – 61)


F. Robert Bielski, AICP

Associate Professor

West Chester University

West Chester, Pennsylvania


Abstract


Chester County continues to see population growth in a state that had almost no increase in numbers between 1980 and 1990. Most of the increase in Chester County is part of the metropolitan suburbanization described in Joel Garreau's Edge City. The impact of the expressways and arterial highways have attracted developers in our part of the Northeast Corridor to build houses, commercial malls and employment centers. The green countryside of Chester County has an appearance that promotes the conversion of pasture land and cropland to all forms of modern urban life. The new residents can enjoy this rural scene yet remain reasonably close to jobs, shopping, cultural institutions and recreation sites. The population and housing trends from 1980 to 1990 protend continued dispersal of the urban population.




POTENTIAL CHANGE IN SULFUR DIOXIDE CONCENTRATION UNDER AN ASSUMED SCENARIO OF DOUBLED ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIXOIDE LEVEL IN PHILADELPHIA, PA

(pp. 62 – 74)


Jane Feng Powley

Department of Civil Engineering

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware


Guanri Tan

Department of Geography

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware


Abstract


The objective of this study is to develop a quantitative method to link a general circulation model and a regional air quality model in order to determine the potential changes in trends and magnitudes of summer sulfur dioxide concentration under an assumed scenario of a doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide level in Philadelphia, PA. A regional air quality model was first developed by applying an automatic air-mass-based synoptic and statistical methodology. The model then was validated by comparison with actual observations to determine its accuracy and reliability for "predicting" purposes. Finally, the climatic scenario generated for a doubled CO2 level was applied to the regional air quality model. The results show that, in the event of doubled CO2, there is a general trend towards increased sulfur dioxide concentrations. There is also a strong tendency for an increased number of polluted days. The increase in the number of heavily polluted days is especially significant.



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