Counterfactual

The Parallel Lives of Afton and Gertrude

In 43 girls, Afton found its level. 50 years earlier, Gertrude occupied that same statistical address.

1895–2025

Afton

peak 1983 2025 18801900192019401960198020002020
Peak year 1983
Peak births 186
Latest count 43
Status Declining
Peak generation Millennial
1880–2025

Gertrude

peak 1917 2025 18801900192019401960198020002020
Peak year 1917
Peak births 6,300
Latest count 17
Status Endangered
Peak generation Greatest Generation
In 43 girls, Afton found its level. 50 years earlier, Gertrude occupied that same address. One peaked in the Greatest Generation era; the other in the Millennial world. They never met. But the data remembers them both.