The 1940 Census
Homestead Valley
December 2013
The National Archives released the 1940 census to the public on April 2, 2012 after a mandatory 72-year waiting period. Results of the 1920, 1930 and 1940 census data allow a comparison of economic conditions for two significant decades in Homestead’s history, the roaring twenties and the great depression of the thirties.
| 1920 | 1930 | 1940 | ||
| Population | 285 | 441 | 611 | |
| Roaring twenties | 55% increase | |||
| Great Depression | 39% increase | |||
| Number of Households | 75 | 131 | 220 | |
| Roaring twenties | 75% increase | |||
| Great Depression | 68% increase | |||
| Home Ownership, % | 81 | 67 | 69 | |
| Roaring twenties | large decrease | |||
| Great Depression | small increase | |||
| Heads of Household | ||||
| Average age, years | 47 | 47 | 49 | |
| Number that are 65+ | 7 | 21 | 28 | |
| Number foreign born | 33 (12%) | 44 (10%) | 69 (11%) | |
| Northern Europeans | 16 | 24 | 54 | |
| 50% increase | 125% increase | |||
| People per Household | 3.8 | 3.4 | 2.8 | |
| decreasing family size | ||||
The Effect of the Great Depression on Homestead Valley
The 1940 census reflects economic tumult of the Great Depression and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal recovery program of the 1930s.
| 1930: only 2 heads of household were out of work. | ||
| 1940: 38 heads of household younger than 65 were out of work. | ||
| 12 individuals were on the WPA government work program. | ||
Population Growth
Between 1930 and 1940, the population of the Continental United States increased 7.2% to 131,669,275. The population of Homestead Valley increased 39% to 611.
In 2013, the population of Homestead Valley is about 2300.
If you have comments or questions about this article or other topics pertaining to the history of Homestead Valley,
please feel free to e-mail Chuck Oldenburg.