The 2000 Census was predicted to be a flawed, undercounted survey that had no ability to deal with the complexities of attempting to count an emerging population of new immigrants who were fearful of government prying. It apparently proved to be false.
The 2000 Census for the first time showed that Queens population had exceeded the 2 million mark. But some officials still discount these results. Queens Borough President Claire Shulman is apparently joining in a lawsuit with a group of Los Angeles officials who are suing the U.S. Department of Commerce that "when all the numbers are in the census figures it will substantially undercount the people of Queens in New York City, much to our detriment." However, other city officials, such as Mayor Rudy Giuliani have nailed the surprising larger population figures as a clear sign of the boroughs role as an engine of the citys population engine for its future.
HOW WE GREW
Queens population before consolidation of the five boroughs
1790 6,159
1800 6,642
1810 7,444
1820 8,246
1830 9,049
1840 14,480
1850 18,593
1860 32,903
1870 45,468
1880 56,559
1890 87,050
