Huntington the majority no more

One thing that was hard to find in the 2000 Census numbers was a fact about the city of Huntington that I had suspected but hadn't really checked on.

I had to do something internally, so I thought I would share the information here. The following list tells what percentage of Cabell County residents lived in the city of Huntington at the time of each census.

1940 ... 78%
1950 ... 75%
1960 ... 72%
1970 ... 64%
1980 ... 55%
1990 ... 52%
2000 ... 49%

I have told people for a long time that the big problem with Huntington is that it does not provide people with enough reason to live there. That is the key to its long-term prosperity -- convincing people they can have a better quality of life in Huntington than outside it. Improved roads, greater affluence, more access to personal transportation, "city water," public sewer service (in some places) and a lower crime rate give people more reasons to live outside town.

What's the reason to live inside town? Fire protection and having EMS closer by, and quicker response from police. Being able to walk to work or school. Other than that, I'm stuck.

For a growing number of people, living in town has fewer benefits compared to living out of town. That's why the city's share of the county's population has shrunk.

I'm willing to listen any thoughts.