When a House Cost 7 Grand
Next Monday, the National Archives and Records Administration will publicly unveil records from the 1940 Census for the first time. Housing data will be among the records, and they should provide a sharp contrast between current living standards and those of our parents and grandparents.
For one thing, the 31 housing questions pertained to characteristics such as whether the home had a radio, flush toilets and running water.
image from Seattle Housing Authority, Rainier Vista
Here's a preview of some 1940 data compared to the present.
|
1940 Census |
2010 Census |
| population of U.S. residents |
132.2 million |
308.7 million |
| common occupations and industries |
frame spinner, rivet heater; cotton mill, farm |
computer programmer, HR manager; telecommunications, electronic shopping |
| new 2 BR home, Lincoln, Nebraska* |
$7,000 |
$360,000 |
| median annual wage for men and women, respectively |
$956 and $592 |
$33,276 and $24,157 |
| percent of adults with bachelor's degree or higher |
5 percent |
28 percent |
* home price data from The People History and Homefinder.com.
More about the 1940 Census release here.
2 Comments (Login to Add a Comment)
DB-RemdWI1015 416 days ago
Interesting analysis. I am pretty sure that I've heard we certainly DO have more homeownership now than in the past. Would like to know for sure.
abe www.degnandesignbuilders.com
DB-RemdCA1157 416 days ago
Is there data showing what percent of the population were homeowners then vs. now? At first glance the math says that the cost of a home was Salaryx7 then and Salaryx11 now so the increase is 50% (due mostly to easier credit?) BUT the percentage of owners is higher now (I assume) which would skew the perception of housing being less affordable now.
