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Burlington Commission on Human Rights, 1964-1965

Iowa Law Review, "State Civil Rights Statute: Some Proposals" Page 1073

1964]

STATE CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTES   1073

   Of some significance is the fact that between 1950 and 1950 the white population of Iowa increased by five per cent; but the nonwhite population increased during that same period by 34 per cent!22 The size of this state's nonwhite minority--principally Negroes--is, therefore, rapidly increasing. Demographic circumstances will no longer assure that Iowa's race relations problems will remain of comparatively minor proportions; but it is clear that they will never be of the magnitude of more urbanized or industrial areas like New York or Chicago.
   Iowa's record in race relations has also been superior to a majority of states because it has had a better than average attitude in this matter. This attitude has been partly due to the demographic factor just noted; but it also has been a product of a well-established and widespread "equalitarian" sentiment in Iowa which has long demanded equal opportunity for all. Several early manifestations of this feeling are particularly significant.
_________________________
Final Report PC(1)-17B, Table 13. The number of nonwhites is calculated from the percentage figures given:

[[table transcribed by column, left to right]]

Ames
Burlington
Cedar Rapids
Clinton
Council Bluffs
Davenport
Des Moines
Dubuque
Fort Dodge
Iowa City
Mason City
Ottumwa
Sioux City
Waterloo

Pop. Total
27,003
32,430
92,035
33,589
55,641
88,981
208,982
56,606
28,399
33,433
30,642
33,871
89,159
71,755

% Nonwhites
1.1
1.6
1.4
1.1
1.1
2.1
5.1
0.3
1.1
1.5
0.9
1.3
2.1
6.9

Number of Nonwhites
297
518
1,288
369
612
1,869
10,658
170
312
502
276
440
1,872
4,951

22 THE 50 STATES REPORTS FROM THE STATE ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS 148 (1961) [hereinafter cited as THE 50 STATES REPORT]. The figures when broken down as to racial groups are as follows:

[[table transcribed by column, left to right]]

White
Nonwhite
Negro
Indian
Japanese
Chinese
Filipino
Other

1950
2,599,546
21,527
19,692
1,084
310
310
Not available
131

1960
2,728,709
28,828
25,354
1,708
599
423
167
577

Per Cent Increase
5.0
33.9
28.8
57.6
93.2
36.5

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1964] STATE CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTES 1073 Of some significance is the fact that between 1950 and 1950 the white population of Iowa increased by five per cent; but the nonwhite population increased during that same period by 34 per cent!22 The size of this state's nonwhite minority--principally Negroes--is, therefore, rapidly increasing. Demographic circumstances will no longer assure that Iowa's race relations problems will remain of comparatively minor proportions; but it is clear that they will never be of the magnitude of more urbanized or industrial areas like New York or Chicago. Iowa's record in race relations has also been superior to a majority of states because it has had a better than average attitude in this matter. This attitude has been partly due to the demographic factor just noted; but it also has been a product of a well-established and widespread "equalitarian" sentiment in Iowa which has long demanded equal opportunity for all. Several early manifestations of this feeling are particularly significant. _________________________ Final Report PC(1)-17B, Table 13. The number of nonwhites is calculated from the percentage figures given: [[table transcribed by column, left to right]] Ames Burlington Cedar Rapids Clinton Council Bluffs Davenport Des Moines Dubuque Fort Dodge Iowa City Mason City Ottumwa Sioux City Waterloo Pop. Total 27,003 32,430 92,035 33,589 55,641 88,981 208,982 56,606 28,399 33,433 30,642 33,871 89,159 71,755 % Nonwhites 1.1 1.6 1.4 1.1 1.1 2.1 5.1 0.3 1.1 1.5 0.9 1.3 2.1 6.9 Number of Nonwhites 297 518 1,288 369 612 1,869 10,658 170 312 502 276 440 1,872 4,951 22 THE 50 STATES REPORTS FROM THE STATE ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS 148 (1961) [hereinafter cited as THE 50 STATES REPORT]. The figures when broken down as to racial groups are as follows: [[table transcribed by column, left to right]] White Nonwhite Negro Indian Japanese Chinese Filipino Other 1950 2,599,546 21,527 19,692 1,084 310 310 Not available 131 1960 2,728,709 28,828 25,354 1,708 599 423 167 577 Per Cent Increase 5.0 33.9 28.8 57.6 93.2 36.5