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MANNHEIM.
Mannheim is politically the second capital of the Grand Duchy of Baden ;
but, alike in population, wealth, and industrial importance, it claims primacy
over its rival Karlsruhe. It is situated conveniently for commerce at the
junction of the Rhine and Neckar, and has for neighbour Ludwigshafen, which,
lies in the Bavarian Palatinate, just across the former river, here spanned by a
noble bridge. Mannheim’s population in 1905 was 163,708, against 141,131 in
1900, showing an increase of 16 per cent, in the five years, against an increase
of 55 per cent, in the preceding quinquennium. Between 1895 and 1900,
however, the population was carried forward on a wave of industrial prosperity
unique in the town’s annals, and after 1900 a reaction set in, which only ceased
towards the close of 1904. Moreover, the incorporation of the suburbs of
Waldhof, Käferthal, and Neckarau, composing New Mannheim, contributed largely
to the town’s growth in the earlier period. Of an increase of 50,012 in the
population between 1895 and 1900, 14,283 came through incorporation, 12,328
through excess of births over deaths, and 23,401 through immigration. The
population of the old town increased 16 14 per cent, during 1900-5, and that
of the new suburbs, which are industrial in character, only 13*07 per cent.
Since 1871 the old town has more than trebled in population.
The following Table shows the increase of population during various
inter-censal periods, with the causes of increase.
The vital statistics of the town are not unfavourable. The birth-rate in
1905 was 38*7 per 1,000, comparing with 33*1 for the whole of Baden and
33*0 for the Empire. The marriages in 1905 were 10*37 per 1,000 and in
1901 10*99, against 8*1 per 1,000 for Baden in general and 8*1 for the
Empire in 1905. The death-rate was 19*0 per 1,000 in 1905 and 20*6 in
1904, comparing with 19*0 per 1,000 for the whole of Baden and 19*8 for the
Empire in 1905. The illegitimate births in 1905 were 9*9 per cent, of all the
births ; the infant mortality was 218 per thousand births, against 233 per
thousand on the average of the preceding five years. During the past decade
there has been a gradual diminution in the general mortality rate, as sanitation
and social conditions have improved, but the progress made is more perceptible
when the survey covers a longer period. During the first half of the 19th
century the deaths exceeded the births ; the rate was as high as 45 per 1,000 in
the twenties, and 28 and 29 per 1,000 from 1830 to 1840 ; even in 1870 it was
24 per 1,000. Since then the town has been greatly improved, and many
salutary regulations safeguarding the health of the inhabitants and their homes
have been introduced, with the result that the natural increase of the population
is greater than ever before.
Increase owing to
Census Year.
Population.
Inter-censal
Increase.
Natural growth. Immigration.
1871
1875
6,847
7,012
7,808
17,785
2,479
3,664
3,649
4,724
4,368
3,348
4,159
13,061
1880
53,465
61,273
79,058
1885
1890
1895
12,061
7,337
4,724
1900
1905
141,131
163,708
12,328
15,362
23,401
7,215
* Added owing to the extension of the municipal boundaries.
