Morris Digital Works Wire Service

Kansas, long considered a rural breadbasket state of the nation, is more urban than a decade ago, and more diverse -- largely because the Hispanic population doubled.

Census figures released Tuesday showed 57 of the state's 105 counties lost population over the past decade, primarily in rural Kansas. A dozen rural counties, mainly in western Kansas, lost 10 percent or more of their residents.

Since 1990, Kansas' population increased 8.5 percent to 2,688,418 on April 1, 2000.

The figures showed the number of Kansas Hispanics of all races rose from 93,670 to 188,252 -- a 100 percent jump. In 1990, Hispanics made up 3.6 percent of the state's population; now it's 7 percent.

Nationally, the Hispanic population jumped by 58 percent over the last decade. "Hispanic" is considered an ethnicity, not a race; people of Hispanic ethnicity can be of any race.

"I think it's a surprise for all of us. We knew it was increasing, but not by that amount," said Thelma Helyar, editor of the Kansas Statistical Abstract.

Even with the jump, there are many, including state Rep. Carlos Mayans, who believe the Hispanic population was undercounted.

"It may be misunderstanding or fear that this information will be used against them. Their experience with government back home never has been good," said Mayans, R-Wichita.

Another growth spurt was shown among Kansas Asians, whose numbers grew by 47 percent. Asians and Pacific Islanders accounted for 31,750 of the state's population in 1990.

In 2000, the census said, 46,806 Kansans were Asians -- representing 1.7 percent of the population. Another 1,313 listed themselves as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

In the 2000 headcount, people could identify themselves as a member of any of 63 racial categories, up from five in 1990.

Whites still were the majority of Kansans: 2,313,944, or 86 percent. The number represents a 3.6 percent increase.

Meanwhile, 5.7 percent of the state's population -- 154,198 -- is black. A decade ago, there were 143,076 blacks, also 5.7 percent.

In Kansas, 56,496 residents took advantage of the option to identify themselves as belonging to more than one race.

Not surprising, population shifted from the open ranges and wheat fields of western Kansas to the eastern side of the state with its larger towns and industries.

"Metro areas as a whole are growing. It's where most of the economic activity is located," said Norman Clifford, interim director for the Center of Economic and Business Analysis at the University of Kansas. "People are going where there are opportunities."

Sedgwick County, including the state's largest city of Wichita, continued to lead counties in population with 452,869, an increase of 12.2 percent over the past decade.

Next in size is Johnson County, near the Kansas City metropolitan area, with 451,086, an increase of 27.1 percent -- the highest percentage growth over the decade.

There also were losses. In terms of population, Riley County had the biggest drop, with 4,296 people leaving in the past decade, a 6.4 percent decrease. Part of that loss was attributed to downsizing at nearby Fort Riley.

In terms of percentage, the top three losing counties were Graham with a 16.9 percent drop to 2,946 people; Comanche, a 15 percent drop to 1,967, and Ness, a 14.4 percent drop to 3,454.

Since there are fewer jobs in such counties, many younger people leave after getting an education, often moving to an urban area. What is left is an aging population.

But some residents of the sparse areas aren't bothered.

"I like it here. I've been several places -- this is home to me," said Diz Washaliski, who farms and sells insurance in Ness County. "Every time somebody dies, we never replace them."

Exceptions to declining populations in western Kansas are areas around Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal -- the Golden Triangle of Meatpacking.

In those areas, population increased, largely because of Hispanic workers at the packing plants.

Finney County, which includes Garden City, had 40,523 people, a 22.5 percent increase -- the second highest in the state behind Johnson County.

Seward County, which includes Liberal, had 22,510, a 20.1 percent increase, and Ford County, with Dodge City, had 32,458, an 18.2 percent jump.

"This is a good place to raise a family. It's quiet here, not like L.A. or someplace like that," said Victor Limon of Liberal, who worked at National Beef for five years and now runs a bakery.

Donald Stull, Department of Anthropology chairman at the University of Kansas who has studied the meat packing industry for a dozen years, said, "The increase in Hispanic population is to be expected. Historically, the meatpacking business has attracted immigrants."

The figures will be used by lawmakers to redraw congressional, legislative and State Board of Education districts next year.

Senate Redistricting Chairman David Adkins said there will be more state legislative districts in urban areas and fewer in western Kansas.

Adkins, R-Leawood, said he expects another three or four House seats and an additional Senate seat in Johnson County. He said it's possible that Butler County, part of a three-county Senate district, could have its own district.