Can Dorchester Buck The Trend?

Can Dorchester avoid the population losses that now plague much of the Heartland?

In a recent nationally-syndicated column by economist Dr. Charles Wheelan, the author examines the human hemorrhaging occurring within the Plains' states. In many cases, these counties have lost more than 10 percent of their population in the past decade. (Click on the map to see a larger version.)

Dr. Wheelan asserts there are three main causes for this trend:

• "Rising agricultural productivity means that we need fewer farmers to meet our food needs."

• "Highly skilled people are more productive when they're in close proximity to other highly skilled people."

• "Our existing farm subsidy programs don't help, and they probably make the situation worse."

We'll let our readers read the column for themselves and draw their own conclusions. But it's important to keep in mind there are two ways for a county to lose its population: People move away -- often called "outmigration" -- or there can be more deaths than births. In recent years, much of the Plains has seen population declines due to both factors.

In the graphic to the left, USDA demographer Calvin Beale shows the parts of rural America that have lost population through both outmigration and a higher number of deaths than births. The counties that lost population because people left between 2000 and 2006 are colored tan. The counties that lost population because more people died than were born between 2000 and 2006 are purple. Those that lost population for both reasons are dark brown.

According to the USDA map, Saline County is one of only 14 Nebraska counties bucking the ugly trend.

USDA demographer Beale notes that this condition of Plains' population loss “did not did not arise overnight," and "poses difficult development challenges." Indeed. But so far, Dorchester is keeping its head above water -- thanks primarily to our close proximity to the large employment hubs of Lincoln, Crete and Seward.

As we have said previously, retaining our young people is important if Dorchester is to remain a viable community in the future.

In the past two or three decades, Dorchester has done a poor job in keeping its young people. We have failed to talk to our children at a young age and let them know that they are wanted and needed in their hometown.

When young people move away and never return, fewer new homes are built. Fewer children are born to sustain the local economy and educational services. Historic connections and family ties are lost forever. The community begins its slow death.

We urge our school administrators, teachers, town leaders and other residents to focus on Dorchester's future. We can and should take steps now by communicating openly with our young people about the population and economic challenges facing Dorchester.