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NAL 'RESOURCES COM

30030005345021

A U G U S T 1938

Ik * * .

iationa! income
O ffic e

of

D iv is io n

B u s in e s s

Economics

U . S , D e p a rtm e n t o f C o m m e rc e

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74 3
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CONSUMER

. .

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•. •/.

IN C O M E S
T H E IR

;

IN

THE

D IS T R IB U T IO N

IN

U N IT E D

STATES

1 9 3 5 -3 6

REFERENCE
BUREAU

OF

ROOM

E C O N O M IC A N A L Y S IS

B E -1 6 T O W E R B U IL D IN G
1401

K S T ., N .W .

W A S H IN G T O N , D .C . 2 0 2 3 0

NATIONAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
F o r s a le b y th e S u p e r in te n d e n t o f D o c u m e n ts , W a s h in g to n , D . C .

WASHINGTON : 1938
P r ic e 3 0 c e n ts ( p a p e r c o v e r )

Nat ional Resour ces Commit t ee
Nor t h I n t er io r Buil ding
Wa shingt on
M a y 27, 1938

The

Pr esid en t ,
T h e W h ite H o u s e .

My Dea r Mr . Pr esid en t :
W e h a v e t h e h o n o r t o t r a n s m i t h e r e w i th a R e p o r t o n t h e D i s t r i b u t i o n o f C o n 
s u m e r I n c o m e i n 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 , p r e p a r e d u n d e r t h e d ir e c t io n o f o u r I n d u s t r i a l C o m m i tt e e
b y D r . H il d e g a r d e K n e e la n d a n d h e r s ta f f . T h is r e p o r t p r o v id e s t h e f i r s t e s t im a t e s
i n t h i s fie ld b a s e d o n a n a t i o n - w id e c a n v a s s o f f a m ily in c o m e s . T h e s e e s t im a t e s
h a v e b e e n d e v e lo p e d f r o m d a t a o n o v e r 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 f a m ilie s o b t a i n e d t h r o u g h A F e d e r a l
W o rk s P ro je c t o n th e s tu d y o f c o n su m e r p u rc h a s e s c o n d u c te d b y th e B u r e a u o f H o m e
E c o n o m ic s a n d t h e B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t i s t i c s w i t h t h e c o o p e r a tio n o f t h e N a t i o n a l
R e s o u rc e s C o m m i tt e e .
T h e r e p o r t p r o v id e s f o r t h e f i r s t tim e a n a u t h o r i t a t i v e , b r o a d , n a t i o n a l p i c t u r e o f
d iv is io n o f in c o m e a m o n g t h e A m e r ic a n p e o p le . T h e f a c t s d is c lo s e d a r e s ig n if ic a n t
n o t o n ly t o b u s in e s s m e n c o n c e rn e d w i t h t h e m a r k e t f o r c o n s u m e r s ’ g o o d s , b u t a ls o t o
a ll c itiz e n s c o n c e rn e d w i t h p r o b le m s o f e c o n o m ic o p p o r t u n i t y i n a d e m o c ra c y .
S in c e r e ly y o u r s ,

Ha r r y H. Woodr ing ,
S e c r e ta r y o f W a r .

Hen r y

A.

Wa l l a ce ,

S e c r e ta r y o f A g r ic u ltu r e .

E.

K. Bu r l ew ,
A c tin g S e c r e ta r y o f th e I n te r io r .

I t.

C. Pa t t er son ,

Jr.

A c tin g S e c r e ta r y o f C o m m e rc e .

C.

V.

Mc La u g h l in ,

A c tin g S e c r e ta r y o f L a b o r.

Ha r r y L. Ho pk in s ,
W o r k s P ro g re ss A d m in is tr a to r .

Fr ed er ic A . Del a n o .
Ch a r l es E . Mer r ia m.
•

Bea r dsl ey Ruml .
Hen r y S . Den n iso n .

I
N

A

T I O

N

A

L

R E S O U R C E S

C O M M I T T E E

Ha r ol d L. Pokes , C h a i r m a n
S e c r e ta r y o f th e I n t e r io r

Fr ed er ic

A.

Ha r r y H. Woodr ing

Del a no

Henr y

A.

Wa l l a ce

S e c r e ta r y o f W a r

S e c r e ta r y o f A g r ic u ltu r e

Da n iel C. Roper

Ha r r y L. Hopkins

Fr a nces Per k in s

S e c r e ta r y o f C o m m e rc e

W o r k s P ro g r e s s A d m in is tr a to r

S e c r e ta r y o f L a b o r

V ic e C h a ir m a n

Cha r l es E. Mer r ia m
A D V I SO RY

Cha r l es E. Mer r ia m

CO M M I T T EE

Fr ed er ic A . Del a no , C h a i r m a n
Henr y S. Dennison

Bea r dsl ey Ruml

ST A FF

Cha r l es W. El io t , 2 d

Ha r ol d Mer r il l

E x e c u t i v e O ffic e r

A s s i s t a n t E x e c u t i v e O ffic e r

I N D U ST RI A L

La uc hl in Cu r r ie
Leon Hender son

CO M M I T T EE

Thoma s C. Bl a isd el l , J r . , C h a i r m a n
Cha r l es W. El io t , 2 d
I sa dor Lu bin
Ha r r y D. Wh it e
T ECH N I CA L

Mor deca i Ezek iel
Ga r d in er C. Mea ns

ST A FF

H ild e g a r d e K n e e la n d ,
E n i d B a ir d

i n C ha rg e o f S tu d y

B la n c h e B e r n s te i n
H e n r i e t t a L ie b m a n

L o u ie L . R h u d y
M ic h a e l S a p ir

A C K N O W

S e lm a E . F in e

R i c h a r d S a s u ly
M a ria n A . W a y a v e

L E D G M E N T S

T h is r e p o r t o n t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f c o n s u m e r in c o m e s i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 w a s p r e p a r e d b y t h e C o n s u m p tio n R e s e a r c h
s ta f f o f t h e I n d u s t r i a l S e c tio n o f t h e N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m i tt e e , u n d e r t h e im m e d ia t e d ir e c t io n o f H il d e g a r d e
K n e e la n d . I n a d d i t i o n to t h e s ta f f m e m b e r s l is te d a b o v e , a c k n o w le d g m e n t is d u e t o J a n e t H . M u r r a y , J a c o b J .
K a u f m a n , W il li a m C . S h e lto n , W illa r d F r ie d m a n , a n d L a w r e n c e N e im a n fo r a s s is ta n c e i n v a r io u s p h a s e s o f t h e
w o rk , a n d to S o p h a L u n s f o r d , w h o s e r v e d a s s e c r e ta r y t o t h e s ta ff. A c k n o w le d g m e n t is a ls o d u e to M i l t o n F r ie d m a n ,
E r i k a H . W u lff, a n d W . A lle n W a llis , w h o c o l la b o r a te d w i t h D r . K n e e la n d i n p r e p a r i n g t h e p r e li m i n a r y p la n s f o r
th e s tu d y .
T h e r e p o r t is b a s e d p r i m a r i ly o n d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , a W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n
p r o j e c t c o n d u c te d b y t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e a n d t h e
B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t i s t i c s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r . T h e p la n s f o r t h e p r o j e c t w e re f o r m u l a te d
b y t h e N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m i tt e e a n d t h e tw o o p e r a t in g b u r e a u s , w i t h t h e c o o p e r a t i o n a n d a d v ic e o f t h e
C e n t r a l S t a t i s t i c a l B o a r d a n d t h e W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n , a n d t h e s t u d y w a s a d m in i s t e r e d u n d e r t h e
g u id a n c e o f a c o m m i tt e e r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e fiv e c o o p e r a tin g a g e n c ie s . G r a te f u l a c k n o w le d g m e n t is m a d e o f t h e
g e n e ro u s c o o p e r a tio n g iv e n b y t h e tw o b u r e a u s i n m a k in g t h e d a t a f r o m t h e p r o j e c t a v a i la b l e f o r u s e i n t h i s r e p o r t.
A p p r e c ia t io n is e s p e c ia lly d u e to D r . D a y M o n r o e , D i r e c t o r o f t h e S t u d y i n t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s , a n d to
D r . A . D . H . K a p l a n , D i r e c t o r o f t h e S t u d y a n d D r . F a i t h M . W illia m s , C h ie f o f t h e C o s t o f L iv in g D iv is io n in t h e
B u r e a u o f L a b o r S ta t is t i c s .
A c k n o w le d g m e n t is a ls o m a d e o f t h e c o o p e r a tio n r e n d e r e d b y t h e I n c o m e T a x U n i t o f t h e B u r e a u o f I n t e r n a l
R e v e n u e , t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s P u b li c H e a l t h S e r v ic e , a n d v a r io u s o t h e r G o v e r n m e n t a g e n c ie s in p r o v id in g a c c e s s to
u n p u b lis h e d s t a t i s t i c a l d a t a .
IV

CONSUMER INCOMES IN THE UNITED STATES

C O N T E N T S

Part I. Incomes of All Consumers
- T h e S c o p e a n d S ig n ific a n c e o f t h e S t u d y
P r e v i o u s E s t i m a t e s o f I n c o m e D is t r i b u t i o n
H o w th e P re s e n t E s tim a te s W e re M a d e
T h e L im ita tio n s o f th e E s tim a te s
I n c o m e D i s t r i b u t i o n o n a N a t i o n a l B a s is
F a m ily In c o m e s
I n c o m e s o f S in g le I n d iv i d u a ls
I n c o m e s o f A ll C o n s u m e rs
T h e T h re e T h ird s o f th e N a tio n
T h e L o w e r T h ird
T h e M id d le T h i r d
T h e U p p e r T h ird
V a r ia t io n s i n R e a l I n c o m e s

Part II. Incomes of Various Consumer Groups

Sec t ion 1. I ncomes of Fa mil ies
T h e B a s is o f t h e F a m i l y E s t i m a t e s
T h e S a m p le D a t a
C o n s t r u c t i n g t h e S a m p le D i s t r i b u t i o n s
E x te n s i o n o f S a m p le D i s t r i b u t i o n s t o F a m il y P o p u la tio n
A d ju s tm e n t b y In c o m e T a x D a ta
A g g r e g a te a n d A v e r a g e I n c o m e s
R e li a b i l i t y o f t h e E s t i m a t e s
I n c o m e s o f A ll F a m ilie s
I n c o m e s o f F a m ilie s o f D if f e r e n t S iz e s
R e g io n a l D if f e re n c e s i n F a m i l y I n c o m e s
R u r a l - U r b a n D if f e re n c e s i n F a m i l y In c o m e s
O c c u p a t io n a l D if f e re n c e s i n F a m i l y I n c o m e s
I n c o m e s o f W h i te a n d N e g r o F a m ilie s

Sec t ion 2. I ncomes of Sin g l e I ndividua l s
Sec t ion 3 . I ncomes of I nst it u t io n a l Resid en t s
^

Part III. Comparison with Other Income Studies
N a t i o n a l I n c o m e i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6
R e g io n a l D iv is io n o f I n c o m e i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6

Appendix A . Sources and Methods Used in the Study
Appendix B. Statistical Tables for Reference Use

1

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93
v

LI ST OF CHARTS
P age

Cha r t

1. D i s t r i b u t i o n o f F a m i l y I n c o m e in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , b y I n c o m e L e v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
D i s t r i b u t i o n o f I n c o m e o f S in g le I n d i v i d u a l s in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , b y
I n c o m e L e v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6
3. S h a r e o f A g g r e g a te I n c o m e R e c e iv e d b y E a c h T e n t h o f N a t i o n ’s C o n 
s u m e r U n i ts , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
4 . S h a r e o f A g g r e g a te I n c o m e R e c e iv e d b y U p p e r F iv e P e r c e n t o f N a t i o n ’s
C o n s u m e r U n i t s , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
5. P r o p o r t i o n o f N a t i o n ’s C o n s u m e r U n i t s R e c e iv in g E a c h T e n t h o f A g g re 

3

Cha r t 2.
Cha r t
Cha r t
Cha r t

4
5
6

Cha r t

g a t e I n c o m e , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
6 . F a m ilie s a n d S in g le I n d i v i d u a l s i n E a c h T h i r d o f N a t i o n , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
7 . F a m ilie s (N o n re lie f ) i n T h r e e I n c o m e G r o u p s , b y T y p e o f C o m m u n ity ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
8. F a m ilie s (N o n re lie f ) i n T h r e e I n c o m e G r o u p s , b y O c c u p a tio n a l G ro u p ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
9. A v e r a g e I n c o m e s a n d P e r C a p i t a I n c o m e s o f N a t i o n ’s C o n s u m e r U n i ts ,

Cha r t
Cha r t

10. C o m m u n itie s C o v e r e d i n S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s
11. S h a r e o f A g g r e g a te F a m i l y I n c o m e R e c e iv e d b y E a c h T e n t h o f N a t i o n ’s

15

F a m il ie s , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
12. P r o p o r t i o n o f N a t i o n ’s F a m il ie s R e c e iv in g E a c h T e n t h o f A g g re g a te
F a m i l y I n c o m e , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
13. I n c o m e D i s t r i b u t i o n s o f N o n r e lie f F a m ilie s o f F o u r S iz e s , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
14. A v e r a g e I n c o m e s o f N o n r e lie f F a m ilie s in S ix T y p e s o f C o m m u n i t y ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
15. I n c o m e D i s t r i b u t i o n s o f N o n r e li e f F a m ilie s in S ix T y p e s o f C o m m u n i t y ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
16. A v e ra g e I n c o m e s o f N o n r e li e f F a m il ie s in S e v e n O c c u p a tio n a l G ro u p s ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
17. I n c o m e D i s t r i b u t i o n s o f N o n r e lie f F a m ilie s in S e v e n O c c u p a t io n a l G ro u p s ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
18. A v e r a g e I n c o m e s o f W h i te a n d N e g ro F a m ilie s (N o n re lie f) in T h r e e T y p e s
o f C o m m u n i t y , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
19. I n c o m e D i s t r i b u t i o n s o f W h i te a n d N e g ro F a m ilie s (N o n re lie f ) in T h r e e
T y p e s o f C o m m u n i t y , 1 9 3 5 -3 6

19

Cha r t
Cha r t
Cha r t

1 9 3 5 -3 6

Ch a r

t

Cha r t
Cha r t
Cha r t
Cha r t
Cha r t
Cha r t
Cha r t
VI

7
8
9
10
12

20
21
24
24
26
27
28
29

LI ST OF TABLES
Ta bl e 1.
Ta bl e 2.
Ta bl e 3.
Ta bl e 4.
Ta bl e 5.
Ta bl e 6.
Ta bl e 7.
Ta bl e 8.
Ta bl e 9.
Ta bl e 10.

D i s t r i b u t i o n o f p o p u la t io n b y t y p e o f c o n s u m e r u n i t a n d a v e r a g e a n d
a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f e a c h t y p e , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
D i s t r i b u t i o n o f fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a n d o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e
re c e iv e d , b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6
D i s t r i b u t i o n o f fa m ilie s a n d o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e re c e iv e d , b y in c o m e le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
A v e r a g e a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s o f f o u r s iz e s a n d o f re lie f
fa m ilie s , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
P e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s o f f o u r s iz e s , b y in c o m e le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
A v e r a g e in c o m e s o f fa m ilie s i n fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s , b a s e d o n s a m p le
d a t a , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
A v e r a g e a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f
m u n i t y , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
P e r c e n t a g e d is t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s
in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6
A v e r a g e a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f
g r o u p s , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
P e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

Page

4

6

18
21
22

22

fa m ilie s in s ix t y p e s o f c o m 
23
i n s ix t y p e s o f c o m m u n ity , b y
25
fa m ilie s i n e ig h t o c c u p a tio n a l
26
i n s e v e n o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s ,

b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6
A v e r a g e in c o m e s o f w a g e - e a r n in g fa m ilie s (n o n r e lie f) i n fiv e t y p e s o f c o m 
m u n i t y , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
P e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s o f w a g e - e a r n in g f a m ilie s (n o n r e lie f) in fiv e t y p e s o f
c o m m u n i t y , b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6
A v e ra g e in c o m e s o f w h i t e a n d N e g r o fa m ilie s (n o n r e lie f) i n S o u th e r n r u r a l
c o m m u n itie s a n d c it ie s a n d i n N o r t h C e n t r a l c itie s , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f w h i te a n d N e g r o fa m ilie s (n o n r e lie f) i n S o u th e r n
r u r a l c o m m u n itie s a n d c it ie s a n d i n N o r t h C e n t r a l c it ie s , b y in c o m e le v e l,

26

28

Ta bl e 15.

1 9 3 5 -3 6
D i s t r i b u t i o n o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a n d o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e re c e iv e d , b y

30

Ta bl e 16.

in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6
A v e ra g e a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s in s e v e n t y p e s o f

Ta bl e 11.
Ta bl e 12.
Ta bl e 13.
Ta bl e 14.

i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p , 1 9 3 5 -3 6

27
27
28

32
V II

PART I
INCOM ES OF A LL CONSUM ERS

H E g r e a t s t r e a m o f n a t i o n a l in c o m e flo w s c o n 
t i n u a l l y t h r o u g h t h e h a n d s o f m il li o n s o f A m e r ic a n
c o n s u m e rs . T o s o m e t h e in flo w c o m e s d a y b y
d a y , s o m e tim e s s t e a d i ly , o f t e n i n t e r r u p t e d b y p e r io d s
o f e c o n o m ic d r o u g h t . T o s o m e i t c o m e s i n w e e k ly o r
m o n t h l y p a y c h e c k s , r e g u la r ly i n g o o d y e a r s , b u t in
t im e s o f d e p re s s io n c h o k e d o ff b y u n e m p lo y m e n t.
O th e r s , l ik e t h e f a r m e r , d e p e n d u p o n t h e in c o m e o f o n e
s e a s o n t o s e e t h e m t h r o u g h t h e y e a r . A n d fi n a lly t h e r e
a r e t h o s e t o w h o m t h e c h a n n e ls o f in c o m e o p e n a t
i n t e r v a l s f o r t h e flo w o f d o lla r s f r o m p r o f its a n d
d iv id e n d s , i n t e r e s t , a n d r e n t .
T h e m o n e y in c o m e t h u s re c e iv e d p o u r s o u t a g a in in
e x c h a n g e f o r fo o d , f o r h o u s in g , f o r c lo th e s a n d r e c r e a 
t io n , f o r a ll t h e g o o d s a n d s e r v ic e s t h a t c o n s t i t u t e t h e
r e a l in c o m e o f t h e A m e r ic a n p e o p le .

T

T h e a m o u n t c o n su m e rs h a v e to s p e n d a n d w h a t th e ir
in c o m e s p u r c h a s e a r e m e a s u r e s o f t h e e ffe c tiv e n e s s w it h
w h ic h w e u s e o u r p r o d u c t i v e re s o u rc e s . T h e v o lu m e
a n d t h e d is t r i b u t i o n o f t h i s p u r c h a s i n g p o w e r, i n t u r n ,
p l a y a n i m p o r t a n t r o le i n g u id in g o u r f u r t h e r u s e o f
t h e s e r e s o u rc e s — i n d e t e r m i n in g w h a t g o o d s a n d s e rv ic e s
a r e p r o d u c e d a n d i n w h a t q u a n t i t y , w h ic h w o r k e r s a r e
e m p lo y e d a n d h o w f u lly , w h ic h c o m m u n itie s h a v e t h e
t a x fa c ilitie s t o m a i n t a i n t h e i r s c h o o ls a n d ro a d s .
S in c e t h e s t r e a m o f in c o m e p la y s so i m p o r t a n t a
p a r t i n t h e n a t i o n a l e c o n o m y , i t is i m p e r a t i v e t h a t w e
a d d t o o u r p r e s e n t m e a g e r k n o w le d g e o f t h e c h a n n e ls
t h r o u g h w h ic h i t p a s s e s . T h o s e c o n c e rn e d w i t h t h e
liv in g s t a n d a r d s o f t h e p e o p le n e e d m o r e a c c u r a t e
i n f o r m a ti o n o n t h e e x t e n t t o w h ic h s h o r ta g e o f in c o m e
b r i n g s p o v e r t y d a m a g in g t o h e a l t h a n d h a p p in e s s .
L a w - m a k in g b o d ie s s t r i v i n g t o a p p o r t i o n ta x e s e q u i
t a b l y a n d w i t h o u t d a m a g e t o t h e p ro c e s s e s o f i n d u s t r y
n e e d to k n o w w h a t w ill s w e ll o r d e p l e t e t h e s t r e a m .
B u s in e s s m e n r e q u i r e m o r e a b u n d a n t a n d r e lia b le d a t a
o n t h e p r o b a b le d e m a n d f o r t h e i r p r o d u c t s i n o r d e r to
s tim u la te a n d m e e t t h a t d e m a n d . A n y a tte m p t on
t h e p a r t o f G o v e r n m e n t o r b u s in e s s t o g r a p p l e w ith
b a s ic e c o n o m ic p r o b le m s m u s t r e l y h e a v il y o n w h a t
c a n b e l e a r n e d o f t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f in c o m e a m o n g
t h e v a r io u s g ro u p s o f t h e N a t i o n ’s c o n s u m e rs .

T h e S c o p e a n d S ig n ific a n c e o f th e S tu d y

T h is r e p o r t o n c o n s u m e r in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n i n t h e
U n i te d S t a t e s is a m u c h - n e e d e d a d d i t i o n t o t h e s c a n t y
i n f o r m a ti o n p r e v io u s ly a t o u r d is p o s a l. A lt h o u g h t h e
d a t a c o v e r o n ly a s in g le y e a r , t h e y g iv e t h e m o s t c o m 
p le t e p i c t u r e e v e r p r e s e n t e d o f t h e d iv is io n o f t h e
n a t i o n a l in c o m e a m o n g t h e A m e r ic a n p e o p le .
T h e p re p a ra tio n o f th e e s tim a te s w a s u n d e rta k e n b y
t h e I n d u s t r i a l S e c tio n o f t h e N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m 
m i t t e e a s p a r t o f a l a r g e r s t u d y o f t h e N a t i o n ’s c o n 
s u m p tio n d e m a n d s in re la tio n to its p ro d u c tiv e c a 
p a c itie s . W h ile p r i m a r i l y d e s ig n e d f o r u s e i n b u ild in g
u p n a t i o n a l e s t i m a t e s o f c o n s u m e r e x p e n d i tu r e s , th e s e
fig u r e s o n in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n a r e c o n s id e r e d o f su ffi
c ie n t i n t e r e s t i n th e m s e lv e s t o j u s t i f y s e p a r a t e
p r e s e n t a ti o n .
T h e s t u d y c o v e rs t h e 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d f r o m J u l y 1 935
t h r o u g h J u n e 1 93 6 . I t s h o w s e s t im a t e s o f t h e in c o m e s
r e c e iv e d b y a ll o f t h e N a t i o n ’s in c o m e - s p e n d in g u n i t s —
b y t h e 2 9 m illi o n fa m ilie s o f 2 o r m o r e p e r s o n s , b y t h e
10 m illio n “ s in g le ” i n d i v i d u a l s liv in g a lo n e o r a s lo d g e r s ,
a n d b y t h e 2 m illio n p e r s o n s l iv in g i n i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d
in q u a s i - i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p s . F o r fa m ily in c o m e s , t h i s
b r o a d n a t i o n a l p i c t u r e is t r a c e d i n m o r e d e t a i l t o s h o w
t h e flo w o f t h e in c o m e s t r e a m to f a r m s , v illa g e s , a n d
c itie s , t o d if f e r e n t g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s , t o d if f e r e n t o c c u 
p a t i o n a l g r o u p s , t o fa m ilie s o f d if f e r e n t s iz e , a n d — in
t h e S o u t h a n d in N o r t h e r n c itie s — to t h e w h i te a n d
N e g ro p o p u la tio n .

Previous Estimates of Income Distribution
T h e s e e s t im a t e s o f in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r 1 9 3 5 -3 6
a r e t h e f i r s t t o a p p e a r s in c e t h e B r o o k in g s I n s t i t u t i o n
e s t im a t e s f o r t h e y e a r 1 9 2 9 , p u b lis h e d i n A m e r ic a ’s
C a p a c i t y t o C o n s u m e .1 P r e v i o u s to t h a t r e p o r t , v e r y
fe w a t t e m p t s h a d b e e n m a d e t o m e a s u r e t h e d iv is io n o f
n a t i o n a l in c o m e b y in c o m e c la s s e s , a n d o n l y o n e s t u d y 21
h a d a p p e a r e d in p u b lis h e d fo rm — t h a t o f t h e N a t i o n a l
1 L e v e n , M a u r ic e , M o u lt o n , H a r o ld G ., a n d W a rb u r to n , C la rk , A m e r i c a ' s C a p a c i t y
t o C o n s u m e , t h e B r o o k in g s I n s t i t u t i o n , W a s h in g t o n , D . C . , 1934.

2 P r e p a r ed b y F r e d e r ic k R . M a c a u la y a n d p u b lis h e d in I n c o m e i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,
I t s A m o u n t a n d D i s t r i b u t i o n , 1 9 0 9 - 1 9 1 9 , v o ls . I a n d I I , N a t io n a l B u r e a u o f E c o n o m i c

R e s e a r ch , N e w Y o r k , 1921 a n d 1922.

1

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

2
B u r e a u o f E c o n o m ic R e s e a r c h , g iv in g e s t im a t e s fo r
t h e y e a r 1 9 1 8 .3
T h e l a c k o f a t t e n t i o n g iv e n to t h i s i m p o r t a n t a s p e c t
o f th e n a tio n a l e c o n o m y c a n b e a c c o u n te d fo r, in la rg e
p a r t , b y t h e p a u c i t y o f d a t a a v a i la b l e f o r p r e p a r i n g
s u c h e s t im a t e s . I n b o t h t h e 1 9 1 8 a n d t h e 1 9 2 9 s tu d ie s ,
i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o r e l y p r i m a r i l y o n s t a t i s t i c s o f e a r n in g s
o f i n d i v i d u a l w o rk e rs , s u p p l e m e n t e d f o r t h e h ig h e r i n 
c o m e b r a c k e t s b y d a t a f r o m F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s .
I n th e re p o r t o f th e N a tio n a l B u re a u , n o a tte m p t w as
m a d e t o a d j u s t t h e fig u r e s t o a f a m ily in c o m e b a s is , o r to
p r e s e n t m o r e t h a n a s in g le n a t i o n a l c u r v e o f in c o m e d is 
t r i b u t i o n , c o v e r in g a ll i n d i v i d u a l in c o m e re c ip ie n ts .
T h e B r o o k in g s s t u d y , h o w e v e r, c a r r i e d t h e e s t im a t e s
t h r o u g h t o a fa m ily o r “ c o n s u m e r u n i t ” b a s is , a n d p r e 
s e n te d s e p a r a t e d i s t r i b u t i o n c u r v e s f o r f a r m fa m ilie s ,
n o n f a r m fa m ilie s , a n d u n a t t a c h e d in d i v i d u a l s . A f u r 
t h e r d iv is io n o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n w a s f o u n d i m p r a c t i c a b l e
w i t h t h e d a t a a v a ila b le .

How The Present EstimatesWere Made
I n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y f o r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 i t h a s b e e n p o s s ib le ,
in th e m a in , to b a s e th e e s tim a te s d ire c tly u p o n d a ta o n
f a m ily in c o m e s . S u c h d a t a b e c a m e a v a i la b l e f o r th e
f ir s t tim e f r o m a N a tio n - w id e s a m p le 4 t h r o u g h t h e
S tu d y of C o n su m e r P u rc h a se s— a W o rk s P ro g re ss
A d m in is tra tio n p ro je c t c o n d u c te d b y th e U n ite d S ta te s
B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s a n d t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t i s t i c s i n c o o p e r a tio n w i t h t h e
N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m i tt e e a n d t h e C e n t r a l S t a 
t i s t i c a l B o a r d .4a T h e d a t a f r o m t h i s s t u d y , c o v e ri n g
s o m e 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 A m e r ic a n fa m ilie s , s h o w t h e in c o m e
r e c e iv e d b y e a c h f a m ily f r o m a ll s o u r c e s — f r o m t h e n e t
e a r n in g s o f d if f e r e n t m e m b e r s , f r o m p r o f its , d iv id e n d s ,
i n t e r e s t , a n d r e n t , f r o m p e n s io n s , a n n u it i e s , a n d b e n e fits ,
f r o m g if ts u s e d f o r c u r r e n t l iv in g e x p e n s e s , f r o m t h e
o c c u p a n c y o f o w n e d h o m e s , a n d — f o r r u r a l fa m ilie s —
f r o m h o m e - g r o w n fo o d a n d o t h e r f a r m p r o d u c t s u s e d b y
t h e f a m ily .56 S im ila r d a t a w e r e a ls o o b t a in e d f r o m a
s m a ll s a m p le o f s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n .
3 M e n t io n s h o u ld a ls o b e m a d e o f a n e s t im a te for 1929 p r e s e n te d , w i t h o u t d is c u s 
s io n , i n t h e B u s i n e s s W e e k for A u g u s t 31, 1932, in o n e o f a s er ie s o f a r tic le s o n T h e
A m e r ic a n C o n s u m e r M a r k e t.

4 D a t a o n fa m il y in c o m e s a r e a ls o n o w a v a ila b le fr o m a n e x te n s iv e s a m p le o f u r b a n
fa m ilie s a n d fr o m a s m a lle r s a m p le o f r u r a l fa m ilie s th r o u g h t h e N a t io n a l H e a lth
S u r v e y r e c e n tly c o n d u c te d b y t h e U . S . P u b li c H e a lt h S e r v ice . F o r d i s c u s s io n o f u s e
m a d e o f th e s e d a t a , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p p . 58 -59.
4 a T h e S t u d y w a s a d m in is te r e d u n d e r t h e g u id a n c e o f a S te e r in g C o m m i tte e a n d
a T e c h n i c a l S u b c o m m it te e , e a c h c o m p o s e d o f r e p r e s e n ta tiv e s o f th e fiv e c o o p e ra tin g
a g e n c ie s . T h e m e m b e r s h ip o f th e s e c o m m itt e e s w a s a s fo llo w s :
S te e r i n g C o m m itte e : S t u a r t A . R i c e , C h a ir m a n , W o r k s P r o g re ss A d m in is tr a tio n ;
L o u is e S ta n le y , B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s ; I sa d o r L u b in , B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a 
ti s tic s ; G a r d in e r C . M e a n s , N a t io n a l R e s o u r c es C o m m itte e ; M o r ris A . C o p e la n d ,
C e n tr a l S ta t is t ic a l B o a r d .
T e c h n i c a l S u b c o m m itte e : H ild e g a r d e K n e e la n d , C h a ir m a n , N a t io n a l R e s o u r c e s
C o m m i tte e ; D a y M o n r o e , B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s ; F a it h M . W il lia m s , B u r e a u
o f L a b o r S ta tistic s; M il t o n F o rs te r , W o r k s P ro g re ss A d m in istr a tio n ; S a m u e l J .
D e n n is , C e n tr a l S t a tis tic a l B o a r d .
6 I t s h o u ld b e n o t e d t h a t in c o m e w a s m e a s u r e d b e fo r e p a y m e n t o f i n c o m e ta x es .
F o r d e fin itio n o f i n c o m e a n d fo r e x p la n a tio n o f c e r ta in it e m s n o t in c lu d e d , s ee
A p p e n d ix A , p . 41. F o r d e s c r ip tio n o f S t u d y o f C o n su m e r P u r c h a s e s , s e e A p p e n d ix
A , s ec . 2.

T h e fin d in g s o f t h i s s t u d y h a v e b e e n s u p p l e m e n t e d
b y o t h e r s a m p le d a t a o n f a m ily a n d i n d i v i d u a l in c o m e s ,
b y d a t a o n e a r n in g s , a n d b y in c o m e t a x s t a t i s t i c s . T h e
m a t e r i a l f r o m t h e s e v a r io u s s o u r c e s h a s p r o v i d e d t h e
b a s is f o r a s e rie s o f s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s , r e p r e 
s e n tin g m o r e t h a n 7 0 0 d if f e r e n t g r o u p s o f t h e p o p u l a 
tio n . T h e s e s a m p le d i s t r i b u t i o n s h a v e b e e n u s e d to
b u ild u p in c o m e e s t im a t e s f o r a ll o f t h e N a t i o n ’s c o n 
s u m e rs . T h e m e t h o d s u s e d i n e x t e n d i n g t h e s a m p le
d a t a t o a n a t i o n a l b a s is a r e d e s c r ib e d i n P a r t I I a n d ,
i n m o r e d e t a il , i n A p p e n d ix A .

The Limitations of the Estimates
W h ile t h e s t a t i s t i c a l m a t e r i a l a v a ila b le f o r p r e p a r i n g
th e s e e s t im a t e s is f a r m o r e e x te n s iv e t h a n f o r p r e v io u s
y e a r s , i t is n o n e t h e le s s s u b j e c t t o m a n y l i m i t a t i o n s
a n d s h o r tc o m in g s . T h e r e s u l t s o f t h e s t u d y m u s t ,
t h e r e f o r e , b e c o n s i d e r e d a s a p p r o x im a t i o n s to th e
a c t u a l in c o m e s i t u a t i o n i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
T h e b a s ic d a t a a r e e s p e c ia lly i n a d e q u a t e fo r f a m ilie s
w h o re c e iv e d r e lie f a t s o m e t im e d u r i n g t h e y e a r a n d
f o r s in g le in d iv id u a ls , a n d i t h a s n o t b e e n p o s s ib le to
e s t im a t e t h e in c o m e s o f th e s e tw o g r o u p s a c c o r d in g to
t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y , o c c u p a tio n , a n d o t h e r c h a r a c t e r 
is tic s . F o r m a n y g r o u p s o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s a s w e ll,
t h e d a t a d o n o t i n s u r e r e lia b le r e s u l t s f o r t h e fin e r
c la s s if ic a tio n s o f t h e p o p u la t io n . T h e s e m o r e d e t a il e d
fig u r e s a r e th e r e f o r e p r e s e n t e d i n r e f e r e n c e t a b l e s in
A p p e n d ix B . T h e e s t im a t e s f o r t h e m a j o r g r o u p s o f
fa m ilie s , h o w e v e r, a n d f o r a ll f a m ilie s a n d s in g le
in d i v i d u a l s , a r e b e lie v e d t o b e s u ff ic ie n tly r e lia b le to
s e rv e t h e p r a c t i c a l p u r p o s e s f o r w h ic h t h e y w e r e p r e 
p a r e d . T h e s e e s t im a t e s a r e d e a l t w i t h i n t h e m a in
b o d y o f th e re p o rt.
In c o m e D i s t r ib u t i o n o n a N a t i o n a l B a s is

T h e m o s t s ig n if ic a n t r e s u l t s o f t h e s t u d y a r e th o s e
s h o w in g t h e b r o a d n a t i o n a l p i c t u r e o f t h e d iv is io n o f
in c o m e a m o n g t h e A m e r ic a n p e o p le . T h e s e fig u r e s
a r e b r o u g h t t o g e th e r i n t h e c h a r t s a n d t a b l e s w h ic h
fo llo w . E s t i m a t e s f o r t h e v a r io u s c o m p o n e n t g ro u p s
o f t h e p o p u la t io n a r e p r e s e n t e d i n P a r t I I .

Family Incomes
T h e g r e a t m a j o r i t y o f t h e N a t i o n ’s c o n s u m e rs a re
m e m b e r s o f f a m ilie s o f tw o o r m o r e p e r s o n s , s h a r i n g a
c o m m o n in c o m e a n d liv in g u n d e r a c o m m o n ro o f. T h e
2 9 ,4 0 0 ,3 0 0 fa m ilie s i n t h e p o p u la t io n d u r in g 1 9 3 5 -3 6
w e r e b y f a r t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t g r o u p o f in c o m e 
s p e n d in g u n i t s , in c lu d in g n e a r l y 91 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l
b o d y o f c o n s u m e rs .
T h e d is t r i b u t i o n o f th e s e 2 9 m illi o n f a m ilie s b y in c o m e
le v e l is s h o w n g r a p h ic a lly i n c h a r t 1. A s t h e b a r s o n
t h e l e f t o f t h e c h a r t i n d i c a t e , 14 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ilie s
r e c e iv e d le s s t h a n $ 5 0 0 d u r in g t h e y e a r s t u d i e d ; 4 2
p e r c e n t r e c e iv e d le s s t h a n $ 1 ,0 0 0 , 65 p e r c e n t le s s t h a n
$ 1 ,5 0 0 , a n d 87 p e r c e n t le s s t h a n $ 2 ,5 0 0 . A b o v e th e

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

3

D IS T R IB U T IO N

O F

F A M IL Y
BY

IN C O M E
IN C O M E

IN

T H E

U N IT E D

S T A T E S

LEVEL

1 9 3 5 -3 6
IN C O M E

F A M IL IE S

$ 1 0 ,0 0 0

ii

in n

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- 5 ,0 0 0

4 .0 0 0

- 4 ,5 0 0

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- 4 ,0 0 0

3 .0 0 0

- 3 ,5 0 0

2 .5 0 0

- 3 ,0 0 0

2 .0 0 0

- 2 ,5 0 0

1 .5 0 0

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1 .0 0 0

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- 1 ,0 0 0

$ 5 0 0

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10

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■

AGGREGATE

LEVEL

3

Char t 1
T h i s c h a r t m a y b e r e a d c ith e r b y le n g t h o f b a r s o r b y s y m b o ls
E a c h fig u r e s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ili e s o r 2 9 4 ,0 0 0 fa m ili e s
E a c h d o lla r s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a g g r e g a t e i n c o m e o f a ll fa m ili e s o r $ 4 7 6 ,7 9 2 ,3 8 0

$ 2 ,5 0 0 le v e l, t h e r e w e r e a b o u t 10 p e r c e n t w i t h in c o m e s
u p t o $ 5 ,0 0 0 , a b o u t 2 p e r c e n t re c e iv in g b e tw e e n $ 5 ,0 0 0
a n d $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 , a n d o n ly 1 p e r c e n t w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 1 0 ,0 0 0
o r m o re . T h e s e fig u r e s a r e s h o w n i n f u lle r d e t a il in
t a b l e 3 , i n a l a t e r s e c ti o n o f t h e r e p o r t.
W h e n t h e in c o m e s o f a ll f a m ilie s a r e a d d e d t o g e th e r ,
t h e a g g r e g a te is a p p r o x im a t e ly $ 4 8 b illio n . T h e s h a r e s
o f t h i s t o t a l in c o m e g o in g t o t h e v a r io u s in c o m e g ro u p s
a r e a ls o s h o w n i n c h a r t 1. T h u s w e fin d t h a t t h e 4 2
p e r c e n t o f fa m ilie s w i t h in c o m e s u n d e r $ 1 ,0 0 0 re c e iv e d
le s s t h a n 16 p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g r e g a te , w h ile t h e 3 p e r 
c e n t w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r r e c e iv e d 21 p e r 
c e n t o f t h e t o t a l . T h e in c o m e s o f t h e t o p 1 p e r c e n t
a c c o u n t e d fo r a l i t t l e o v e r 13 p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g re g a te .

a s lo d g e r s o r s e r v a n t s i n p r i v a t e h o m e s , o r m a i n t a in i n g
i n d e p e n d e n t liv in g q u a r t e r s a s o n e -p e rs o n fa m ilie s .6
T h e s e s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s c o n s t i t u t e d n e a r l y 8 p e r c e n t
o f t h e t o t a l p o p u la t io n , a n d — a s i n d i c a t e d i n t a b l e 1—
r e c e iv e d 19 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l c o n s u m e r in c o m e .
T h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f in c o m e a m o n g th e s e i n d iv id u a l
c o n s u m e r u n i t s , s h o w n i n c h a r t 2 , re s e m b le s v e r y
c lo s e ly t h a t f o r fa m ilie s , e x c e p t t h a t t h e r e w a s c o n s id 
e r a b ly g r e a t e r c o n c e n t r a t io n i n t h e lo w e r b r a c k e ts .
S ix ty -o n e p e r c e n t re c e iv e d in c o m e s o f le s s t h a n $ 1 ,0 0 0
a n d a c c o u n t e d f o r 29 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l in c o m e o f
t h e g ro u p . N in e ty - f iv e p e r c e n t r e c e iv e d le s s t h a n
$ 2 ,5 0 0 a n d a l i t t l e o v e r 1 p e r c e n t r e c e iv e d $ 5 ,0 0 0 o r
m o re . T h e d e t a il e d fig u r e s f o r t h i s g r o u p a r e p r e s e n t e d

Incomes of Single Individuals

l a t e r i n t a b l e 15. 6

I n a d d i ti o n t o t h e 116 m illio n c o n s u m e rs liv in g in
f a m i l y g ro u p s i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 , t h e r e w e r e 10 m illio n m e n
a n d w o m e n lo d g in g in r o o m in g h o u s e s a n d h o te ls , liv in g

6 S o n s a n d d a u g h te r s l iv i n g w i t h th e ir p a r e n ts b u t p a y in g for b o a r d a n d lo d g in g
a n d n o t p o o lin g th e ir in c o m e s i n th e c o m m o n fa m ily fu n d a r e c la s s ifie d a s s in g le
i n d i v id u a ls , r a th e r th a n a s m e m b e r s o f fa m ilie s . T h e n u m b e r o f s u c h in d iv id u a ls in
1935-36 is e s tim a t e d a t a p p r o x im a te ly 400,000.

F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 76.

4

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

D IS T R IB U T IO N

OF

IN C O M E

O F

S IN G L E
BY

IN D IV ID U A L S

IN C O M E
1 9 3 5

S IN G L E

U N IT E D

S TA TE S

3 6

IN C O M E

$

T H E

LE V E L

-

IN D IV ID U A L S

IN

10,000

AGGREGATE
~r

LEVEL

a

IN C O M E

o ver

7 .5 0 0 - 1 0 ,0 0 0

5 .0 0 0 -

7 ,5 0 0

4 .5 0 0 -

5 ,0 0 0

4 .0 0 0 -

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3 .5 0 0 - 4 ,0 0 0

3 .0 0 0 - 3 ,5 0 0

2 .5 0 0 - 3 ,0 0 0

iiitSJ

2 .0 0 0 - 2 ,5 0 0

1 .5 0 0 -

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500

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UNDER
40

30

20

10

-

i

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m

m

m

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$ 5 0 0

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10

20

PERCEN T
BASED

ON

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m

30

PERC EN T

15

Cha r t 2
T h is c h a r t m a y b e r e a d e ith e r b y l e n g t h o f b a r s o r b y s y m b o ls
E a c h fig u r e s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll s in g le i n d iv id u a ls o r 1 0 0 ,5 8 0 s in g le in d iv id u a ls
E a c h d o lla r s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a g g r e g a t e in c o m e o f a ll s in g le in d iv i d u a ls o r $ 1 1 5 ,7 9 3 ,9 0 0

Tabl e

1.—

D is tr ib u tio n

o f 'p o p u la tio n b y t y p e o f c o n s u m e r u n it a n d a v e r a g e a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f e a c h t y p e , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

P ersons
N u m b e r of
consum er
u n i ts

T y p e o f con su m er u n it

A v e ra g e in c o m e

P e r c o n su m e r u n it
N um ber

P er c a p ita
A m ount
(m e a n ) (in th o u s a n d s )

P ercen t
M e d ia n

F a m i lie s o f 2 or m o re p e r s o n s . .................... . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A l l fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls ____

_______________

..

A g g r e g a te in c o m e

P ercen t

M ean

2 9 ,4 0 0 ,30 0
10, 058, 000

115,966, 000
1 0 ,0 5 8 ,00 0

90. 6
7 .8

$ 1 ,1 60
830

$1, 622
1,151

$411
1,151

$47, 679, 238
11,579, 390

7 9 .5
1 9 .3

39, 458, 300
0)

126, 024, 000
2 ,00 0 , 000

9 8 .4
1 .6

$ 1 ,0 7 0
0)

$1, 502
0)

$470
362

$59, 258, 628
724, 300

9 8 .8
1 .2

(>)

128, 024, 000

10 0 .0

$469

$59, 982, 928

10 0.0

A l l c o n s u m e r s .____ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(')

to

1 N o t a v a ila b le .

Incomes of All Consumers
F o r a c o m p r e h e n s iv e p i c t u r e o f t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f
c o n s u m e r in c o m e in t h e U n i t e d S ta t e s , fa m ilie s a n d
s in g le in d i v i d u a l s c a n b e c o n s i d e r e d t o g e th e r . S u c h
t r e a t m e n t is ju s tif ie d b y t h e l a c k o f a s h a r p d is t i n c t i o n
b e tw e e n t h e tw o g ro u p s f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f t h e

r e c e ip t a n d u s e o f in c o m e . T h e d iv e r s i t y a m o n g t h e
c o n s u m e r u n i t s t h a t m a k e u p t h e 29 m illio n fa m ilie s is
fu lly a s g r e a t a s t h a t b e tw e e n fa m ilie s a s a g r o u p a n d
s in g le in d iv id u a ls . A n in c o m e o f $ 1 ,0 0 0 a y e a r m e a n s ,
t o b e s u r e , o n e t h i n g t o a s in g le m a n o r w o m a n a n d
a n o t h e r t o a n a v e r a g e fa m ily o f fo u r. B u t i t a ls o h a s

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

5

q u i t e d if f e r e n t m e a n in g s to t h e fa m ily o f tw o p e r s o n s
a n d t o t h e fa m ily o f e ig h t. T h e s e tw o m a j o r g ro u p s o f
c o n s u m e r u n i t s c a n th e r e f o r e b e c o m b in e d , a t e a c h
in c o m e le v e l, t o s h o w t h e c u r v e o f in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n
f o r t h e N a t i o n a s a w h o le .
I n s t i t u t i o n a l R e s i d e n t s N o t I n c l u d e d . — T h is s u m m a r y
o f in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n , h o w e v e r, m u s t o m i t t h e s m a ll
g r o u p o f t h e p o p u la t io n liv in g i n i n s t i t u t i o n s o f v a r io u s
t y p e s a n d i n m i l i t a r y a n d n a v a l p o s ts , la b o r c a m p s , a n d
o t h e r q u a s i - i n s t i t u t i o n a l g ro u p s . A ll t o g e th e r , th e s e
i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s n u m b e r a b o u t 2 m illio n . A
l a r g e p a r t o f t h e in c o m e s o f th e s e c o n s u m e rs — a n d in
m a n y c a s e s t h e e n t i r e in c o m e — is s u p p lie d b y th e
i n s t i t u t i o n i n t h e f o r m o f s u b s is te n c e a n d c a re . T h u s
th e in s titu tio n a l g ro u p , r a th e r th a n th e in d iv id u a l
r e s i d e n t , c o n s t i t u t e s t h e s p e n d in g u n i t . T h e in c o m e s
o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l r e s i d e n t s a r e m o r e c o m p a r a b le t o t h e
p e r c a p i t a in c o m e s o f m e m b e r s o f fa m ilie s t h a n t o t h e
in c o m e s o f i n d e p e n d e n t c o n s u m e rs . F o r t h i s re a s o n , n o
d i s t r i b u t i o n b y in c o m e le v e l h a s b e e n p r e p a r e d fo r th e
i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n . T o h a v e in c lu d e d t h e m o n a
p a r a l l e l b a s is w i t h t h e 39 m illio n fa m ilie s a n d s in g le

S H A R E
B Y

E A C H

O F

i n d iv id u a ls w o u ld h a v e b e e n m is le a d in g . T h e p e r
c a p i t a a v e r a g e s fo r t h e t h r e e m a i n t y p e s o f c o n s u m e rs
a r e c o m p a r e d in t a b l e 1.
D i s t r i b u t i o n b y I n c o m e L e v e l. — T h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u 
t io n o f a ll fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i v i d u a l s c o m b in e d is
p r e s e n t e d i n d e t a il i n t a b l e 2 . T h e fig u r e s s h o w b o t h
t h e n u m b e r o f c o n s u m e r u n i t s a t e a c h le v e l o f in c o m e
a n d t h e s h a r e o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e t h e y re c e iv e d .
T h e r e s u l t s te ll a s t o r y v e r y s im ila r to t h a t a lr e a d y
d e s c r ib e d f o r e a c h g r o u p o f c o n s u m e r u n i t s s e p a r a t e ly .
N e a r l y o n e t h i r d (3 2 p e r c e n t) o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f
fa m ilie s a n d s in g le i n d iv id u a ls h a d in c o m e s u n d e r $ 7 5 0 ,
n e a r l y o n e h a l f (47 p e r c e n t) re c e iv e d le s s t h a n $ 1 ,0 0 0 ,
a n d m o r e t h a n tw o t h i r d s (69 p e r c e n t) r e c e iv e d le s s
t h a n $ 1 ,5 0 0 . A t t h e o t h e r e n d o f t h e in c o m e s c a le ,
a b o u t 2 p e r c e n t h a d in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r, a n d
le s s t h a n 1 p e r c e n t in c o m e s o f $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r.
D is tr i b u tio n o f C o n s u m e r U n its b y T e n th s .— T h e
d i s p a r i t y o f in c o m e s is r e v e a le d s o m e w h a t m o r e c le a rl y
b y c h a r t 3 . H e r e t h e 39 m illio n c o n s u m e r u n i t s a re
g r o u p e d b y t e n t h s , o r d e c ile s, a c c o r d in g t o t h e s iz e o f
t h e i r in c o m e s . T h e p o o r e s t t e n t h , w it h in c o m e s u n d e r

A G G R E G A T E

T E N T H

O F

IN C O M E

N A T I O N ’S

R E C E IV E D

C O N S U M E R

U N IT S

1935 - 3 6
F A M IL IE S
S IN G L E

AND

IN D IV ID U A L S
H IG H E S T

IN C O M E

a

OVER

N IN T H

1925

-

2 6 0 0

E IG H T H

1540

-

1925

SEVENTH

1275

-

1540

S IX T H

1070

-

1275

F IF T H

8 8 0

-

1070

FOURTH

7 2 0

-

8 8 0

T H IR D

545

-

7 2 0

3 4 0

-

5 4 5

SECOND

LOW ES1
TENTH

0

AGGREGATE

RANGE

$ 2 6 0 0

TENTH

10

IN C O M E

UNDER

$ 3 4 0

0

10

BASED

ON

T A B LE

20

30

PERCENT

PERCENT

IB

Cha r t 3
T h i s c h a r t m a y b e r e a d e it h e r b y l e n g t h o f b a r s o r b y s y m b o ls
E a c h fig u r e s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls o r 3 9 4 ,5 8 3 c o n s u m e r u n it s
E a c h d o lla r s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a g g r e g a t e in c o m e o f a ll fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d iv i d u a ls o r $ 5 9 2 ,5 8 6 ,2 8 0

4 0

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

6

Ta bl e 2.—

D is tr ib u tio n

o f fa m ilie s

and

s in g le in d iv id u a ls

and

$ 3 4 0 to $ 5 4 5 , r e c e iv e d 3 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l . N o t
u n t i l t h e e ig h th g r o u p is r e a c h e d d o e s t h e s h a r e o f t o t a l
in c o m e re c e iv e d p a s s t h e 10 p e r c e n t lin e , s h o w in g a
p r o p o r t io n o f in c o m e re c e iv e d g r e a t e r t h a n t h e p r o p o r 
t io n o f f a m ilie s a n d i n d iv id u a ls re c e iv in g i t . T h e 10
p e r c e n t o f fa m ilie s a n d i n d iv id u a ls a t t h e t o p o f t h e
in c o m e s c a le , w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 2 ,6 0 0 a n d o v e r, r e c e iv e d
3 6 p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e — a b o u t t h e s a m e
a m o u n t a s t h e 7 0 p e r c e n t a t t h e b o t t o m o f t h e s c a le .
T h e A v e r a g e I n c o m e . — A s c h a r t 3 in d ic a te s , h a l f o f t h e
fa m ilie s a n d s in g le i n d iv id u a ls h a d in c o m e s b e lo w
$ 1 ,0 7 0 a n d h a l f h a d in c o m e s a b o v e t h a t a m o u n t .
T h is
fig u re o f $ 1 ,0 7 0 — t h e m e d ia n in c o m e — is c o n s id e r a b ly
lo w e r t h a n t h e m e a n in c o m e o f $ 1 ,5 0 2 . T h e m e a n ,
o b t a in e d b y d iv id in g t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e b y t h e t o t a l
n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a n d in d iv id u a ls , is a ffe c te d to a
g r e a t e r e x t e n t t h a n is t h e m e d ia n b y t h e v e r y h ig h
in c o m e s r e c e iv e d b y a r e l a t i v e l y s m a ll n u m b e r o f
c o n s u m e r u n i t s . T h e d iffe re n c e b e tw e e n t h e tw o
a v e ra g e s t h u s p ro v id e s f u r t h e r e v id e n c e o f t h e w id e
v a r i a t i o n i n c o n s u m e r in c o m e s .
A g g r e g a t e I n c o m e R e c e i v e d b y U p p e r F i v e P e r c e n t .—
C h a r t 4 s h o w s t h e s h a r e s o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e r e 
c e iv e d b y t h e v e r y h ig h in c o m e g ro u p s . T h e h ig h e s t 5
p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls — th o s e
w it h in c o m e s o f $ 3 ,4 0 0 a n d o v e r— r e c e iv e d 2 7 p e r c e n t
o f t h e a g g r e g a te — a lm o s t a s m u c h a s t h e lo w e s t 60
p e r c e n t. T h e h ig h e s t 2 p e r c e n t, w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,8 0 0
a n d o v e r , r e c e iv e d 18 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l . A n d t h e
h ig h e s t 1 p e r c e n t, w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 9 ,1 0 0 a n d o v e r

of

a g g r e g a te in c o m e r e c e iv e d , b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 - 8 6

F a m ilie s a n d s in g le
i n d i v id u a ls
I n c o m e le v e l
N u m ber

A g g re g a te in c o m e

P er
cen t at
ea ch
lev e l

C um u
l a ti v e
per
cent

A m ount
(in th o u 
sa n d s )

P er
cent at
e ac h
le v e l

C um u
la tiv e
per
cent

U n d e r $250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 50-1500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$500-$750 __________
$ 7 5 0 -$ l,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,0 00-$ 1,250_________

2 ,1 2 3 ,5 3 4
4, 587, 377
5 ,7 7 1 ,9 6 0
5 ,87 6 ,07 8
4 ,9 9 0 ,9 9 5

5 .38
11.63
14.63
14 .9 0
12 .6 5

5 .38
17.01
31 .6 4
46 .5 4
59 .1 9

$294,138
1,76 7 ,36 3
3 ,61 5 ,65 3
5 ,12 9 ,50 6
5, 589, 111

0 .5 0
2 .98
6 .1 0
8 .6 5
9 .4 2

0 .5 0
3 .48
9 .5 8
18 .2 3
27 .6 5

$1,250 $ 1 ,5 00_________
$1 ,5 00-$ 1,750_________
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 _________
$ 2 ,0 00-$ 2,250_________
$ 2 ,2 50-$ 2,500_________

3 ,74 3 ,42 8
2 ,88 9 ,90 4
2, 29 6,022
1,704, 535
1 ,25 4 ,07 6

9 .4 9
7. 32
5. 82
4. 32
3 .1 8

68 .6 8
76 .0 0
8 1 .8 2
8 6 .1 4
89. 32

5 ,10 9 ,11 2
4 ,66 0 ,79 3
4, 214, 203
3 ,60 2 ,86 1
2 ,9 8 8 ,9 3 2

8 .6 2
7 .8 7
7 .11
6 .08
5 .01

36 .2 7
44 .1 4
51 .2 5
57 .3 3
62 .3 4

$2 ,5 0 0 -$ 3 ,00 0_________
$ 3 ,0 0 0 $3 ,500_________
$3 ,5 0 0 -$ 4 ,00 0_________
$ 4 ,000-$ 4,500_________
$4 ,5 0 0 -$ 5 ,00 0_________

1,47 5,474
851, 919
502,159
28 6,053
178,138

3. 74
2 .1 6
1 .27
.7 2
.4 5

93 .0 6
95. 22
96. 49
97. 21
97. 66

4 ,00 4 ,77 4
2 ,7 3 5 ,4 8 7
1 ,86 3 ,38 4
1 ,20 2 ,82 6
84 1,766

6 .7 6
4. 62
3 .14
2 .0 3
1 .42

69 .1 0
73 .7 2
76 .8 6
78 .8 9
80 .3 1

$5 ,0 0 0 -$ 7 ,50 0_________
$7 ,5 00-$ 10,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1Ò ,00 0-$ 15,000 .---------$1 5,000 -$20 ,0 00_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 0,000 -$25 ,0 00_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

38 0,266
21 5,642
152, 682
67,923
39,825

.9 6
.5 5
.3 9
.1 7
.1 0

98. 62
99 .1 7
99. 56
99. 73
9 9 .8 3

2 ,24 4 ,40 6
1 ,84 7 ,82 0
1 ,74 6 ,92 5
1 ,17 4 ,57 4
88 9,114

3 .79
3 .1 2
2 .9 5
1.98
1 .50

84 .1 0
87. 22
9 0 .1 7
92 .1 5
9 3 .6 5

$ 2 5 ,000 -$30 ,0 00_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 3 0 ,000 -$40 ,0 00_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 0,000 -$50 ,0 00_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 0,000 -$10 0,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$100,00 0-$2 50,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _

25,583
17,959
8 ,34 0
13,041
4 ,14 4

.0 6
.0 5
.0 2
.0 3
.0 1

9 9 .8 9
99 .9 4
99 .9 6
9 9 .9 9
1 0 0.00

72 0,268
641,272
390, 311
908,485
53 9,006

1 .22
1 .08
.6 6
1. 53
.9 1

94 .8 7
95 .9 5
96 .6 1
98 .1 4
99 .0 5

$?50,00 0-$5 00,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _
$500J0 0 0 -$ lf000.000_ _ _

916
240
87

264,498
134,803
157, 237

.4 5
.2 3
.2 7

99. 50
99. 73
100.00

$59,258, 628

1 0 0 .00

3 9 ,4 5 8 ,30 0

O)

8
1 0 0 .00

i L e s s th a n 0.005 p e r c e n t.

$ 3 4 0 , r e c e iv e d le s s t h a n 2 p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g re g a te
in c o m e ; t h e s e c o n d t e n t h , w i t h in c o m e s r a n g in g fr o m

SHARE

OF

AGGREGATE

OF

IN C O M E

R E C E IV E D

n a t io n ' s

BY

UPPER

F IV E

PERCENT

I

I- --- ------

CONSUMER UNITS

19 3 5 -3 6
F A M IL IE S
S IN G L E

AND

IN D IV ID U A L S

IN C O M E

AGGREGATE

RANGE

IN C O M E

H IG H E S T
1 PERCENT

$ 9 1 0 0

a

OVER

5 8 0 0

a

OVER

4 3 2 5

a

OVER

3 8 0 0

a

OVER

3 4 0 0

a

OVER

H IG H E S T
2

PERCENT
H IG H E S T

3

PER C EN T
H IG H E S T

4

PERCENT
H IG H E S T

5

PERCENT

»
O
PERCENT

BASED

ON

TABLE

- I

1

I

10

2 0
PERCENT

IB

Cha r t 4
T h is c h a r t m a y b e r e a d e ith e r b y le n g t h o f b a r s o r b y s y m b o ls
E a c h fig u r e s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ili e s a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls o r 3 9 4 ,5 8 3 c o n s u m e r u n it s
E a c h d o lla r s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a g g r e g a t e in c o m e o f a ll fa m ili e s a n d s in g le i n d iv id u a ls o r $ 5 9 2 ,5 8 6 ,2 8 0

3 0

7

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

re c e iv e d 14 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l — o n ly a tr if le le s s t h a n
t h e lo w e s t 4 0 p e r c e n t.
D i v i s i o n o f A g g r e g a t e I n c o m e b y T e n t h s .— T h e u n e q u a l
d is t r i b u t i o n o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a m o n g c o n s u m e r
u n i t s is s t r i k i n g l y i l l u s t r a t e d b y c h a r t 5 . H e r e , r e 
v e r s in g t h e p r o c e d u r e u s e d i n c h a r t 3 , t h e t o t a l in c o m e
o f $ 5 9 b illio n re c e iv e d b y f a m ilie s a n d s in g le i n d iv id u a ls
is d iv id e d i n t o t e n t h s , a n d t h e p e r c e n t o f c o n s u m e r u n i t s
s u p p o r t e d b y e a c h t e n t h is s h o w n . T h u s w e c a n se e
t h a t o n e - t e n t h o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e s u p p o r t s a lm o s t
t h e w h o le lo w e r t h i r d o f t h e f a m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i 
v id u a ls . T h e n e x t t e n t h o f t h e in c o m e is d iv id e d
a m o n g o n ly h a l f a s m a n y c o n s u m e r u n i t s . T h e t o p
t e n t h g o e s t o o n e - h a lf o f 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll c o n s u m e r
u n i t s — th o s e w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 1 4 ,6 0 0 a n d o v e r. T h e
n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i v i d u a l s s u p p o r t e d b y
t h e i n t e r m e d i a t e t e n t h s o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e d e 
c re a s e s f a i r l y r e g u l a r l y f r o m t h e s e c o n d to t h e h ig h e s t

p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g r e g a te s u p p o r t s o n ly 0 .1 p e r c e n t o f
t h e c o n s u m e r u n i t s . S im ila rl y , t h e lo w e s t 1 p e r c e n t o f
t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e is s h a r e d b y 7 p e r c e n t o f t h e c o n 
s u m e r u n i t s , w h ile t h e u p p e r 1 p e r c e n t is s h a r e d b y le s s
t h a n 0 .0 0 5 p e r c e n t o f a ll c o n s u m e r u n its .

d e c ile .
F i v e p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e s u p p o r t s 21
p e rc e n t of th e c o n su m e r u n its a t th e b o tto m of th e in 
c o m e s c a le , w h e r e a s a t t h e t o p o f t h e in c o m e s c a le 5

a r e d iv id e d i n t o t h r e e e q u a l g r o u p s , a c c o r d in g t o t h e
siz e o f t h e i r in c o m e s . W i t h i n e a c h t h i r d , t h e 13 m illio n
fa m ilie s a n d s in g le i n d iv id u a ls a r e d iv id e d i n t o th o s e
w h o r e c e iv e d n o r e lie f d u r in g t h e y e a r a n d th o s e w h o

P R O P O R T IO N

O F

N A T IO N 'S

EA C H

T E N T H

T h e T h r e e T h ir d s o f t h e N a t i o n

T h is s u m m a r y o f t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f n a t i o n a l in c o m e
h a s r e v e a le d t h a t a lm o s t o n e t h i r d o f a ll fa m ilie s a n d
s in g le i n d iv id u a ls i n t h e c o u n t r y h a d in c o m e s o f le s s
t h a n $ 7 5 0 d u r in g t h e y e a r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 . T h is fi n d in g is
p r o v o c a tiv e o f m a n y q u e s tio n s . W h e r e d id th e s e
p e o p le liv e ? W h a t w e r e t h e i r o c c u p a tio n s ? H o w
m a n y o f t h e m w e re d e p e n d e n t o n r e lie f a t s o m e tim e
d u r in g t h e y e a r ? H o w d id t h e y c o m p a r e w i t h t h e
o th e r tw o -th ird s o f th e N a tio n ?
A n s w e rs t o th e s e q u e s tio n s a r e p r o v id e d b y t h e n e x t
t h r e e c h a r t s . I n c h a r t 6 t h e 39 m illio n c o n s u m e r u n i t s

C O N S U M ER

O F

U N IT S

A G G R EG A TE

R E C E IV IN G

IN C O M E

1 9 3 5 -3 6
IN C O M E

IN C O M E

F A M IL IE S

RANGE

AND

S IN G L E

IN D IV ID U A L S

H IG H E S T
$ 1 4 ,6 0 0

a

OVER

N IN T H

4 9 0 0

-

1 4 ,6 0 0

E IG H T H

3 1 0 0

-

4 9 0 0

SEVENTH

2 3 7 5

-

3100

S IX T H

1950

-

2 3 7 5

F IF T H

1610

-

19 50

FOURTH

1320

-

16 I 0

1040

-

1 3 2 0

7 6 0

-

1040

TENTH

T H IR D

SECOND
LOW EST
TENTH
IO

0

UNDER

$ 7 6 0

O

10

B A S E D

O N

T A B LE

20

30

P ER C E N T

PERCENT

2 B

Cha kt 5
T h is c h a r t m a y b e r e a d e it h e r b y l e n g t h o f b a r s o r b y s y m b o ls
E a c h d o lla r s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a g g r e g a t e in c o m e o f a ll fa m ili e s a n d s in g le i n d iv id u a ls o r $ 5 9 2 ,5 8 6 ,2 8 0
E a c h fig u r e s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ili e s a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls o r 3 9 4 ,5 8 3 c o n s u m e r u n it s

4 0

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

8

c e iv e d d u r in g t h e y e a r . I t s h o u ld a ls o b e n o t e d t h a t
in t h e o c c u p a tio n a l c la s s if ic a tio n t h e fa m ilie s a r e
g r o u p e d a c c o r d in g t o t h e o c c u p a tio n f r o m w h ic h t h e
l a r g e s t a m o u n t o f a ll fa m ily e a r n in g s w a s d e r iv e d ,
r a t h e r t h a n a c c o r d in g t o t h e o c c u p a tio n o f t h e p r in c ip a l
e a rn e r . T h e b a s is f o r t h e c la s s if ic a tio n s u s e d i n t h e
t h r e e c h a r t s a n d t h e v a r i a t i o n s i n in c o m e s a m o n g t h e
d if f e r e n t g ro u p s a r e c o n s id e r e d m o re fu lly in l a t e r
s e c tio n s o f t h e r e p o r t . 8

d id r e c e iv e s o m e f o r m o f w o r k r e lie f o r d ir e c t r e lie f f ro m
e i t h e r a p u b lic o r a p r i v a t e a g e n c y . T h e n o n re lie f
fa m ilie s , i n t u r n , a r e f u r t h e r d iv id e d a c c o r d in g t o size
o f f a m ily , a n d t h e s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a c c o r d in g t o sex .
I n c h a r t 7 t h e n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s a r e re c la s s if ie d a c c o r d 
i n g to t h e t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y i n w h ic h t h e y liv e d , a n d
in c h a r t 8 a c c o r d in g t o t h e o c c u p a t io n a l g r o u p to w h ic h
t h e y b e lo n g e d .7
I n c o n s id e r in g t h e g r o u p c la ss ifie d a s re c e iv in g re lie f,
i t s h o u ld b e n o t e d t h a t m a n y o f th e s e fa m ilie s a n d
s in g le in d i v i d u a l s w e re d e p e n d e n t o n r e lie f fo r p a r t o f
t h e y e a r o n ly — s o m e fo r a v e r y s h o r t tim e . E a r n in g s
f r o m r e g u l a r e m p lo y m e n t a n d in c o m e f r o m o t h e r
s o u r c e s t h u s s u p p l e m e n t e d t h e in c o m e re c e iv e d a s w o rk
r e lie f e a r n in g s o r a s d ir e c t re lie f, a n d i n m a n y c a s e s th is
n o n r e lie f in c o m e a c c o u n te d f o r m o s t o f t h e in c o m e r e 

F A M IL IE S

A N D

The Lower Third
W h e n a ll c o n s u m e r u n i t s a r e g ro u p e d in t o e x a c t
t h i r d s , w e fin d t h a t t h e lo w e r t h i r d r e c e iv e d in c o m e s o f
7 C la s s ific a tio n o f s in g le in d iv id u a ls a n d o f r e lie f fa m ilie s b y t y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d
b y o c c u p a tio n w a s n o t p o s s ib le w i t h th e a v a il a b l e d a ta . S e e p . 16 a n d A p p e n d ix A ,
p p .6 6 a n d 67.
8 F o r d e fin itio n s o f r e lie f g r o u p s a n d o th er c la s s ific a tio n s , s ee A p p e n d i x A , s e c . 1.

IN D IV ID U A L S

S IN G L E

IN

E A C H

T H IR D

O F

N A T IO N

1 9 3 5 -3 6
LOW ER
NOT

R E C E IV IN G

IN C O M E S

R E L IE F

T H IR D

U N D E R

M ID D L E

$ 7 8 0

IN C O M E S

OF

T H IR D

UPPER

$ 7 8 0 - $ l4 5 0

IN C O M E S

OF

0
H

M E N
t

i

l

l

l

l

l

i

i

i

i

t

i

i

i

0
H

W O M EN

n

t

i

l

l

l

i

t

i

i

i

i

i

i

F A M IL IE S

1 1 !

2

P E R S O N S

3 - 4

i

i

i

i

M O R E

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

h

i

i

i

SOME

i

h

i

1

i

i

i

P E R S O N S
I

0
g l M

i

P E R S O N S

OR

R E C E IV IN G

i

P E R S O N S

5 - 6

7

i

i

R E L IE F

0

H

S IN G L E

W

M EN

IN D IV ID U A L S
a

W O MEN

i

h

i

i

i

A O
It tg a

F A M IL IE S
A V E R A G E

U

H

I M

4 .5

S IZ E

P ER SO N S

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

1

r o ilu
8A S E 0

ON

TA B LE

3B

EAC H

F IG U R E

R E P R E S E N TS

Ch a r t 6

5 0 0 ,0 0 0

F A M IL IE S

OR

S IN G L E

IN D IV ID U A L S

T H IR D
$ 1 4 5 0

a

O VER

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

9

le s s t h a n $ 7 8 0 d u r in g 1 9 3 5 -3 6 . A s t h e t h r e e c h a r t s
i n d ic a te , th e s e 13 m illi o n fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls
a r e n o t a d i s t i n c t a n d u n u s u a l g r o u p ; t h e y in c lu d e a ll
ty p e s o f c o n s u m e r u n i t s , liv in g i n a ll t y p e s o f c o m m u 

A s c h a r t 5 h a s a lr e a d y r o u g h ly s h o w n , t h e s h a r e o f
t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e r e c e iv e d b y t h i s lo w e r t h i r d o f
t h e N a t i o n w a s j u s t o v e r 10 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l $ 5 9
b illio n . T h e a v e r a g e in c o m e o f t h e g r o u p — t h a t is,

n i t y , a n d b e lo n g in g t o a ll o f t h e m a j o r o c c u p a tio n a l
c la s s ific a tio n s . T h e y d if fe r fr o m t h e o t h e r tw o t h i r d s o f
t h e N a t i o n p r in c ip a lly i n t h e l a r g e r p r o p o r t io n r e c e iv 
in g r e lie f a t s o m e tim e d u r in g t h e y e a r , i n t h e la r g e r
n u m b e r liv in g o n f a r m s , a n d i n t h e s m a ll n u m b e r f o u n d
in p ro fe s s io n a l, b u s in e s s , a n d c le ric a l o c c u p a tio n s .
A lth o u g h a lm o s t 4 m il li o n fa m ilie s a n d s in g le i n d i 
v id u a ls i n t h i s lo w e r t h i r d w e re d e p e n d e n t o n r e lie f fo r
a t l e a s t p a r t o f t h e y e a r , fu lly 7 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l
n u m b e r — t h a t is, a l i t t l e o v e r 9 m illio n — r e c e iv e d n o
a s s is ta n c e o f a n y k in d f r o m a r e lie f a g e n c y . A b o u t
1 ,7 0 0 ,0 0 0 o f t h i s n o n re lie f g ro u p w e re in d e p e n d e n t
s in g le m e n liv in g a lo n e o r a s lo d g e r s ; a lm o s t t h e s a m e
n u m b e r — 1 ,6 0 0 ,0 0 0 — w e re s in g le w o m e n ; a n d 5 ,9 0 0 ,0 0 0
w e re fa m ilie s o f 2 o r m o re p e r s o n s .

t h e m e a n in c o m e o f t h e 13 m illio n c o n s u m e r u n i t s —
w as $471.

The Middle Third
T h e m id d le t h i r d o f t h e N a t i o n in c lu d e d t h e 13 m il
lio n f a m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i v i d u a l s re c e iv in g f r o m $ 7 8 0
to $ 1 ,4 5 0 d u r in g t h e y e a r . O n ly 13 p e r c e n t o f th e s e
c o n s u m e r u n i t s , o r a b o u t 1 ,7 0 0 ,0 0 0 , w e re d e p e n d e n t
o n r e lie f a t s o m e tim e d u r in g t h e y e a r . I n t h e n o n r e lie f g r o u p t h e r e w e re m o r e s in g le m e n a n d fe w e r
s in g le w o m e n t h a n i n t h e lo w e r t h i r d , tw ic e a s m a n y
fa m ilie s liv in g in la r g e c itie s a n d m e tro p o lis e s , a n d
m o re t h a n tw ic e a s m a n y fa m ilie s in t h e c le r ic a l, b u s i
n e s s , a n d p ro fe s s io n a l g ro u p s .
T h e t o t a l in c o m e re c e iv e d b y all c o n s u m e r u n its
in t h i s “ m id d le c la s s ” a m o u n t e d to 24 p e r c e n t o f th e
a g g r e g a te in c o m e . T h e a v e r a g e (m e a n ) in c o m e p e r
c o n s u m e r u n i t w a s $ 1 ,0 7 6 .

S o m e w h a t m o r e t h a n h a l f o f th e s e n o n re lie f fa m ilie s
liv e d o n f a r m s o r i n r u r a l c o m m u n itie s o f le s s t h a n 2 ,5 0 0
p o p u la t io n , a n d a b o u t o n e - s ix th — j u s t 1 m illio n — liv e d
in c itie s o f 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p u la t io n o r m o re . A c c o rd in g to
o c c u p a tio n , th e s e f a m ilie s w e r e a lm o s t e q u a lly d iv id e d
b e tw e e n w a g e e a r n e r s a n d f a r m e r s , w i t h o n ly o n e fift h — 1 ,2 0 0 ,0 0 0 in a ll— i n o t h e r o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s .

F A M IL IE S

(N O N R E L IE F )
BY

TYPE

The Upper Third
T h e u p p e r 13 m illio n c o n s u m e r u n i t s c o v e re d a w id e
r a n g e o f in c o m e s , e x te n d in g f r o m $ 1 ,4 5 0 to o v e r a m il-

IN

OF

IN C O M E G R O U P S

THREE

C O M M U N IT Y

1 9 3 5 -3 6

LO W ER
IN C O M E S

GROUP

UNDER

M ID D L E

$ 7 8 0

IN C O M E S

OF

UPPER

GROUP
$ 7 8 0 -$ 1 ,4 5 0

IN C O M E S

OF

GROUP

$ l~ 4 5 0

«

M E T R O P O L IS E S
1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0

a

OVER

1
11
1
ii
id
iiiif
•

LARGE

C IT IE S

1 0 0 ,0 0 0

TO

1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0

•

M ID D L E

S IZ E D

2 5 ,0 0 0

SM ALL
2 ,5 0 0

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W i t h t h e f a m ilie s o f s e v e n o r m o r e p e r s o n s , h o w e v e r,
th is te n d e n c y d o e s n o t a p p e a r a s s tr o n g ly . S in c e h a lf
o f th e s e l a r g e fa m ilie s liv e d o n f a r m s , t h e i r in c o m e s le s s
f r e q u e n t ly p la c e d t h e m i n t h e u p p e r t h i r d . 9 F u r t h e r 
m o re , m a n y o f t h e l a r g e f a m ilie s w i t h in c o m e s o f le s s
t h a n $ 7 8 0 h a d to d e p e n d o n re lie f a t s o m e tim e d u r in g
t h e y e a r , a n d t h e y th e r e f o r e a p p e a r i n t h e c h a r t w ith
t h e 2 y2 m illi o n r e lie f f a m ilie s f o u n d i n t h e lo w e r t h i r d .
I f i t h a d b e e n p o s s ib le t o d iv id e t h e r e lie f g r o u p a c c o r d 
in g t o s iz e o f fa m ily , t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f l a r g e fa m ilie s
in t h e lo w e r in c o m e g r o u p w o u ld h a v e b e e n m o re
c le a rl y e v id e n t.

lio n d o lla r s . T h e g r e a t m a j o r i t y o f t h i s u p p e r t h i r d —
o v e r 8 0 p e r c e n t — w e re -n o n re lie f fa m ilie s . O n ly a s m a ll
n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s t h a t re c e iv e d w o r k r e lie f o r d ir e c t
r e lie f a t s o m e tim e d u r in g t h e y e a r h a d in c o m e s t h a t
b r o u g h t t h e m o v e r t h e $ 1 ,4 5 0 lin e , w h e n e a r n in g s f r o m
r e g u l a r e m p lo y m e n t a n d in c o m e f r o m a ll o t h e r s o u r c e s
w e r e a d d e d t o g e th e r . N o s in g le i n d iv id u a ls w h o
re c e iv e d a n y re lie f h a d in c o m e s s u ff ic ie n t t o b r i n g t h e m
i n t o t h i s g r o u p . T h e n u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f s in g le i n 
d iv id u a ls w a s s m a lle r t h a n i n t h e m id d le a n d lo w e r
t h i r d s . T h is w a s p a r t i c u l a r l y t r u e o f s in g le w o m e n ;
o n ly o n e - s ix th o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f s in g le
w o m e n w e re i n t h e u p p e r t h i r d , w h ile m o r e t h a n h a lf
w e r e i n t h e lo w e r t h i r d .

T h e c o n t r a s t b e tw e e n t h e in c o m e s o f f a r m a n d c it y
d w e lle rs is s t r i k i n g l y s h o w n i n c h a r t 7 . O f t h e w h o le
g r o u p o f 7 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0 n o n re lie f fa m ilie s liv in g i n la r g e
c itie s a n d m e tro p o lis e s , m o r e t h a n 4 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 — t h a t is,
58 p e r c e n t — a r e f o u n d i n t h e u p p e r t h i r d . O n ly 27
p e r c e n t o f t h e 6 ,2 0 0 ,0 0 0 n o n r e lie f f a r m fa m ilie s , h o w 
e v e r, h a d in c o m e s a s h ig h a s $ 1 ,4 5 0 . I n c h a r t 8 t h e
in c o m e s o f t h e v a r io u s o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s a r e s im ila r ly
c o n t r a s t e d . A lm o s t 8 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s
in t h e p ro fe s s io n a l g r o u p a r e f o u n d i n t h e u p p e r t h i r d ,
a n d 63 p e r c e n t o f t h e b u s in e s s a n d t h e c le ri c a l g ro u p s ,
a s c o m p a r e d w i t h 3 5 p e r c e n t o f w a g e -e a r n in g fa m ilie s
a n d 2 7 p e r c e n t o f f a r m fa m ilie s .

W h e n w e c o m p a r e t h e n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s i n t h e t h r e e
in c o m e g r o u p s a c c o r d in g t o s iz e o f f a m ily , w e fin d t h a t
fa m ilie s o f t h r e e t o s ix p e r s o n s s h o w t h e l a r g e s t p r o p o r 
tio n i n t h e u p p e r t h i r d . A s c h a r t 6 in d i c a t e s , tw o p e r s o n f a m ilie s a r e a b o u t e q u a lly d iv id e d a m o n g th e
t h r e e t h i r d s , w h ile t h e t h r e e - to f o u r - p e r s o n fa m ilie s
a n d th o s e o f fiv e t o s ix p e r s o n s a r e tw ic e a s n u m e r o u s
i n t h e u p p e r a s i n t h e lo w e r g r o u p . T h is d iff e re n c e is
p r o b a b ly d u e to t h e f a c t t h a t t h e l a r g e r fa m ilie s a r e
lik e ly t o h a v e m o r e e a r n e r s t h a n t h e tw o - p e r s o n fa m ilie s ,
a n d t h e a g e o f t h e p r i n c i p a l e a r n e r , a n d c o n s e q u e n tly
h is in c o m e , is a p t to b e g r e a t e r .

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I n i n t e r p r e t i n g th o s e fig u r e s f o r n o n re lie f fa m ilie s ,
i t s h o u ld b e b o r n e i n m i n d t h a t if f a m ilie s re c e iv in g
r e lie f d u r i n g t h e y e a r h a d b e e n in c lu d e d , t h e p r o p o r t io n s
f o u n d i n t h e u p p e r t h i r d w o u ld h a v e b e e n s o m e w h a t
lo w e r f o r e a c h o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p , a n d d i s t i n c t l y lo w e r
f o r t h e w a g e - e a r n in g g ro u p .
M o re th a n h a lf o f th e
4 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0 r e lie f fa m ilie s b e lo n g e d i n w a g e -e a r n in g
o c c u p a tio n s , a n d t h e i r in c lu s io n i n t h e p i c t u r e w o u ld
h a v e m a r k e d l y i n c r e a s e d t h e n u m b e r o f w a g e -e a r n in g
fa m ilie s i n t h e lo w e r t h i r d , w i t h o u t a p p r e c ia b l y a ff e c tin g
t h e n u m b e r i n t h e u p p e r t h i r d . I t s h o u ld a ls o b e k e p t
i n m in d t h a t m a n y o f th e s e n o n r e lie f w a g e - e a r n in g
f a m ilie s h a d s e v e r a l e a r n e r s , a n d t h a t t h e t o t a l fa m ily
in c o m e in c lu d e s t h e e a r n in g s o f a ll m e m b e r s , a s w e ll a s
in c o m e f r o m o t h e r s o u rc e s .
T h e t o t a l in c o m e re c e iv e d b y a ll o f t h e 13 m illio n
co n su m e r u n its in th is to p th ird of th e N a tio n w as
$ 3 9 b illio n — a b o u t 6 6 p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e
o f a ll f a m ilie s a n d s in g le i n d iv id u a ls . T h e a v e r a g e
(m e a n ) in c o m e o f t h e g r o u p a s a w h o le w a s t h u s j u s t
u n d e r $ 3 ,0 0 0 . T h is a v e r a g e , h o w e v e r, c o v e rs s u c h
w id e ly d iv e r g e n t in c o m e s t h a t i t h a s l i t t l e m e a n in g .
M o s t o f t h e f a m ilie s i n t h e n o n r e lie f w a g e - e a r n e r g r o u p
w e r e c o n c e n t r a t e d t o w a r d t h e lo w e r e n d o f t h e in c o m e
r a n g e , w i t h t h e a v e r a g e f o r t h e g r o u p a m o u n t in g t o
a b o u t $ 2 ,1 0 0 . F o r t h e c le ri c a l g r o u p o f n o n re lie f
f a m ilie s t h e a v e r a g e w a s a b o u t $ 2 ,5 0 0 , a n d f o r t h e f a r m
g r o u p , a b o u t $ 2 ,6 0 0 — s till w e ll u n d e r t h e a v e r a g e f o r
t h e w h o le t h i r d . F a m il ie s i n b u s in e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l
g ro u p s, o n th e o th e r h a n d , w ere s c a tte re d th ro u g h th e
fu ll r a n g e o f t h e in c o m e s c a le , a n d t h e h ig h in c o m e s o f
t h o s e a t t h e t o p b r o u g h t t h e a v e r a g e o f t h e f i r s t g ro u p
t o m o r e t h a n $ 4 ,4 0 0 , a n d t h a t f o r t h e s e c o n d g r o u p to
n e a r l y $ 5 ,0 0 0 .
V a r i a t i o n s in R e a l In c o m e s

T h e d is c u s s io n t h u s f a r h a s c o n s id e r e d t h e in c o m e s o f
c o n s u m e r s e n t i r e l y i n t e r m s o f d o lla r s a n d c e n ts . B u t
i t is o b v io u s t h a t th e s e d o lla r fig u r e s d o n o t g iv e a t r u e
m e a s u r e o f t h e v a r ia t io n s i n r e a l in c o m e a m o n g t h e
A m e r ic a n p e o p le . D if fe re n c e s i n c o s t o f l iv in g i n
d if f e r e n t c o m m u n itie s , i n m o d e s o f liv in g o f d if f e r e n t
g r o u p s o f t h e p o p u la t io n , in t h e n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s
d e p e n d e n t o n t h e in c o m e a n d i n t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l n e e d s ,
m u s t a ls o b e t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , i t is
n o t p o s s ib le t o a d j u s t t h e d o lla r fig u r e s t o a llo w fo r
th e s e v a r io u s f a c to r s . B u t t h e n e e d fo r s u c h a d j u s t 
m e n t m u s t c o n tin u o u s ly b e k e p t i n m i n d i n i n t e r p r e t i n g
t h e fin d in g s o f t h e s t u d y .
T h i s w a r n i n g is , o f c o u rs e , p a r t i c u l a r l y a p p r o p r i a t e
i n c o m p a r in g t h e in c o m e s o f t h e f a r m p o p u la t io n w i t h
th o s e o f fa m ilie s l iv in g i n c it ie s . A n in c o m e o f $ 9 6 5 —
t h e m e d ia n d o lla r in c o m e s h o w n b y t h e s t u d y f o r a ll
n o n r e lie f f a r m f a m ilie s 10— o b v io u s l y w o u ld p r o v id e a
i° S e e ta b le 7.

11

d is t i n c t l y d if f e r e n t s t a n d a r d o f liv in g i n t h e h a n d s o f
t h e a v e r a g e c i t y f a m ily . I n s o f a r a s t h e f a r m in c o m e
is u s e d t o b u y g o o d s a n d s e rv ic e s i n t h e r e t a i l m a r k e t ,
i t p r o v id e s s o m e w h a t m o r e t h a n i t w o u ld f o r t h e c i t y
f a m ily , s in c e r e t a i l p ri c e s t e n d t o b e s o m e w h a t lo w e r
in s m a lle r c o m m u n itie s a n d a ls o s o m e w h a t lo w e r in
t h e S o u th , w h e re o n e - h a lf o f t h e N a t i o n ’s f a r m fa m ilie s
liv e .11 A n d i n s o f a r a s i t r e p r e s e n t s t h e e s t i m a t e d
v a lu e o f fo o d , fu e l a n d h o u s in g p r o v id e d b y t h e fa r m
fo r t h e f a m i l y ’s u s e , i t a ls o m e a n s m o re in t e r m s o f
a c t u a l l iv i n g s t a n d a r d s . 112
I n a d d i ti o n , t h i s d o l l a r in c o m e is s u p p le m e n te d fo r
t h e a v e r a g e f a r m fa m ily b y a l a r g e r v o lu m e o f u n p a i d
s e rv ic e s o n t h e p a r t o f t h e h o u s e w ife a n d o t h e r m e m 
b e r s o f t h e f a m ily — s e r v ic e s w h ic h a p p r e c ia b l y re d u c e
th e a m o u n t o f m o n e y t h a t m u s t b e s p e n t f o r fo o d ,
c lo th in g , a n d o t h e r i te m s i n t h e fa m ily b u d g e t . O n t h e
o th e r h a n d , t h e n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s t o b e s u p p o r t e d b y
t h e f a m ily in c o m e is la r g e r , o n t h e a v e r a g e , f o r f a r m
fa m ilie s t h a n f o r t h e u r b a n o r r u r a l n o n f a r m p o p u la 
t i o n .13* O n t h e w h o le , i t s e e m s p r o b a b le t h a t t h e
a d v a n t a g e s i n liv in g c o s ts a c c r u in g t o f a r m fa m ilie s a r e
n o t s u ffic ie n t t o o ffs e t t h e fu ll a m o u n t o f d if fe re n c e
f o u n d b e tw e e n t h e i r in c o m e s a n d th o s e o f o t h e r g ro u p s .
B e y o n d th e s e d if fe re n c e s i n m o n e y in c o m e s a n d c o s ts
o f l iv in g t h e r e a r e , o f c o u rs e , m a n y d iffe re n c e s i n th e
s a tis f a c tio n s d e r iv e d f r o m r u r a l a n d u r b a n m o d e s o f
liv in g w h ic h c a n n o t p o s s ib ly b e e v a l u a t e d i n m o n e t a r y
te r m s .
I n c o m p a r in g t h e in c o m e s o f o t h e r g ro u p s o f t h e
p o p u la t io n , d if fe re n c e s i n r e a l in c o m e s im ila r i n k in d
to th o s e b e tw e e n f a r m a n d n o n f a r m fa m ilie s , a lth o u g h
le s s i m p o r t a n t i n d e g r e e , m u s t b e b o r n e i n m in d . T h u s
t h e d e m a n d s u p o n t h e in c o m e s o f w a g e -e a r n in g fa m ilie s
te n d , o n t h e a v e r a g e , t o b e s o m e w h a t h ig h e r t h a n th o s e
o f w h ite - c o lla r g ro u p s , o w in g to t h e f a c t t h a t t h e
a v e r a g e s iz e o f f a m ily is s o m e w h a t g r e a t e r , a n d a ls o
b e c a u s e t h e h e a v ie r p h y s ic a l l a b o r i n v o lv e d i n w a g e e a r n in g o c c u p a tio n s in c re a s e s t h e a m o u n t w h ic h m u s t
b e s p e n t f o r f o o d .11 T h e l a r g e r a v e r a g e in c o m e s h o w n
fo r t h e c le ri c a l g r o u p , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , is p a r t i a l l y
o ffs e t b y t h e h ig h e r p r o p o r t io n o f c le ric a l fa m ilie s liv in g
i n c it ie s o f 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p u la t io n a n d o v e r ,15 w h e re a v e r a g e
liv in g c o s ts a r e r e l a t i v e l y h ig h .
T h e d i s t i n c t i o n b e tw e e n d o l l a r in c o m e s a n d r e a l i n 
c o m e s is p a r t i c u l a r l y s ig n if ic a n t w h e n w e c o m p a r e t h e
in c o m e s o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a n d o f f a m ilie s o f d if f e r e n t
11 F o r c o m p a r a tiv e fig u r es o n c o s t o f l iv i n g b y s iz e o f c i t y a n d b y r e g io n , s e e N a t io n a l
I n d u s tr ia l C o n fe r en c e B o a r d , T h e C o s t o f L iv in g i n 59 C o m m u n i tie s , C o n fer en c e
B o a r d B u ll e ti n , v o l . X I , N o . 9 , J u l y 3 1 ,19 3 7 . N o c o m p a r a tiv e fig u r es for c o s t o f l iv in g
i n r u ra l c o m m u n it ie s a re a v a ila b le .
12 F o r e x p la n a tio n o f m e th o d u s e d in e v a lu a t in g th e s e it e m s o f in c o m e , se e A p p e n d ix
A , p . 41.
13 S e e ta b le 7.
1* D a t a fr o m th e S tu d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s s h o w , i n g e n e r al, a s o m e w h a t h ig h e r
e x p e n d itu r e for fo o d b y w a g e -e a r n in g fa m ilie s th a n b y fa m ilie s in o th er o c c u p a tio n s
i n s im ila r c o m m u n i tie s , w h e n in c o m e a n d fa m ily c o m p o s itio n a re h e ld o o n s ta n t.
is S e e ta b le 3 3 B .

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

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m o re p e r s o n s . F o r fa m ilie s t h a t r e c e iv e d re lie f a t
s o m e tim e d u r in g t h e y e a r , a v e r a g in g 4 .5 p e r s o n s in
size , t h e in c o m e a v a ila b le p e r fa m ily m e m b e r w a s $ 1 6 5 .

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sizes. A s c h a r t 9 in d ic a te s , t h e a v e r a g e (m e a n ) i n 
c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s a n d i n d iv id u a ls s h o w n b y
t h i s s t u d y in c r e a s e d o n ly m o d e r a t e ly w i t h t h e in c re a s e
i n t h e n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s s u p p o r t e d b y t h e in c o m e ,
v a r y i n g f r o m $ 1 ,1 8 8 fo r s in g le w o m e n a n d $ 1 ,3 3 1 f o r
s in g le m e n t o $ 1 ,9 0 5 f o r f a m ilie s o f fiv e to s ix p e rs o n s .
W i t h t h e l a r g e r f a m ilie s o f s e v e n o r m o r e m e m b e rs ,
t h e a v e r a g e d r o p p e d b a c k t o $ 1 ,7 8 7 f o r r e a s o n s a lr e a d y
m e n ti o n e d .16
W h e n th e s e a v e r a g e f a m ily in c o m e s a r e r e d u c e d t o a
p e r c a p i t a b a s is , t h e f a ilu r e o f t h e in c o m e t o k e e p p a c e
w it h t h e n e e d s o f t h e fa m ily is s t i ll m o re c le a rl y r e 
v e a le d . A s t h e s y m b o ls o n t h e r i g h t o f t h e c h a r t
s h o w r o u g h ly , t h e p e r c a p i t a in c o m e a m o u n t e d t o $ 7 7 4
f o r tw o - p e r s o n fa m ilie s , a n d d e c re a s e d s h a r p ly f o r t h e
16 S e e p . 10.

N o w i t is o b v io u s t h a t t h e c o s ts o f m a i n t a in i n g a g iv e n
s t a n d a r d o f liv in g d o n o t in c re a s e i n d ir e c t p r o p o r t io n
t o t h e n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s d e p e n d e n t o n t h e in c o m e .
W h ile tw o c a n n o t liv e a s c h e a p ly a s o n e , o r f o u r a s
c h e a p ly a s tw o , y e t t h e v a r io u s e c o n o m ie s in liv in g
e x p e n s e s p o s s ib le i n t h e la r g e r h o u s e h o ld re d u c e in
c o n s i d e r a b le m e a s u r e t h e a m o u n t o f a d d i ti o n a l in c o m e
r e q u ir e d fo r e a c h a d d i ti o n a l m e m b e r . T h e c o n t r a s t
s h o w n in c h a r t 9 b e tw e e n t h e p e r c a p i t a in c o m e s o f
s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n a n d o f tw o -p e r s o n f a m ilie s m a y
p e r h a p s b e la r g e ly i n t e r p r e t e d in t e r m s o f th e s e d if fe r 
e n c e s i n c o s t o f liv in g — e s p e c ia lly w h e n a llo w a n c e is
m a d e fo r t h e r e d u c t io n i n fa m ily liv in g e x p e n s e s d u e
to t h e h o u s e w ife ’s s e rv ic e s .I6a B u t f o r fa m ilie s o f t h r e e
o r m o re m e m b e rs , i t is e v i d e n t t h a t t h e a v e r a g e le v e l
o f liv in g fe ll a s t h e size o f fa m ily in c re a s e d . A lth o u g h
a la r g e p r o p o r t io n o f th e s e h o u s e h o ld s in c lu d e d y o u n g
c h ild r e n , w h o s e c o s ts o f m a i n t e n a n c e a r e lo w e r t h a n
fo r t h e a v e r a g e a d u l t , t h e s h a r p n e s s o f t h e d r o p in p e r
c a p i t a in c o m e s c le a rl y s u g g e s ts a d r o p in r e a l in c o m e .
T h e s e e x a m p le s o f d if fe re n c e s i n a p p a r e n t a n d r e a l
in c o m e s s e rv e to i l l u s t r a t e t h e n e e d fo r c a u t i o n in
d r a w in g h a r d a n d f a s t c o m p a r is o n s b e tw e e n t h e in c o m e
fig u re s f o r d if f e r e n t c o n s u m e r g ro u p s s h o w n i n t h i s
r e p o r t. T h is c a u t io n is a ll t h e m o r e n e e d e d b e c a u s e o f
t h e f a c t t h a t m o s t o f t h e fig u r e s p r e s e n t e d a r e fo r
b r o a d g ro u p s o f t h e p o p u la t io n ; if r e lia b le e s t im a t e s
w e re a v a ila b le f o r t h e fin e r c ro s s - c la s s ific a tio n s , s o m e
o f t h e d iffe re n c e s i n in c o m e w o u ld b e a c c o u n te d fo r
m o re c le a rly .
I n c o n s i d e r in g t h e fin d in g s o f t h e s t u d y , m a n y r e a d e r s
w ill d o u b tle s s w is h to c o m p a r e th e s e e s t im a t e s o f 193 5 —
36 in c o m e s w i t h v a r io u s e x is tin g s t a n d a r d s o f in c o m e
a d e q u a c y . I n m a k in g s u c h c o m p a r is o n s i t is p a r t i c 
u la r l y i m p o r t a n t t o b e a r i n m in d t h e w id e v a r i a t i o n s
i n in c o m e n e e d s a m o n g d if f e r e n t g ro u p s o f t h e N a t i o n ’s
c o n s u m e rs .
16a T h e s e u n p a id s e r v ic e s o f th e h o u s e w ife c o n s ti tu te , o f c o u r s e, a v e r y s u b s ta n tia l
c o n tr ib u tio n t o t h e r ea l i n c o m e o f t h e fa m ily , e v e n th o u g h i t w a s n o t c o n s id e r e d
fe a s ib le i n th i s s t u d y to as cr ib e a n im p u te d m o n e y v a lu e to th e m a n d in c lu d e th e m a s
a n it e m o f fa m ily in c o m e.

PA RT II
IN COM ES OF V A RI O U S CONSUM ER GROUPS
H E n a tio n a l d is tr ib u tio n o f in c o m e in 1 9 3 5 -3 6 d isc u s se d i n P a r t I w a s
b u i lt u p fro m t h e d is tr ib u tio n s fo r a la rg e n u m b e r o f c o m p o n e n t g ro u p s .
I n P a r t I I th e in c o m e s o f th e s e c o m p o n e n t g ro u p s a r e a n a ly z e d , a n d v a r i a 
tio n s a m o n g t h e i r in c o m e d is tr ib u tio n s a re p o in te d o u t.
T h e th r e e p r im a r y g ro u p s in to w h ic h a ll c o n su m e r u n its w e re d iv id e d in t h e
s t u d y w e re fa m ilie s, sin g le in d iv id u a ls , a n d in s ti t u t io n a l re s id e n ts . T h e fa m ily
c o n s is ts o f tw o o r m o re p e rs o n s liv in g to g e th e r a s o n e e c o n o m ic u n i t a n d d e p e n d e n t
o n a c o m m o n o r p o o le d in c o m e . T h e b a sis o f th e fa m ily e s tim a te s a n d t h e s im 
ila ritie s a n d d iffe re n c e s in th e in c o m e s o f fa m ilie s a r e d isc u s se d in s e c tio n 1. T h e
in c o m e s o f sin g le in d iv id u a ls — m e n a n d w o m e n liv in g a lo n e o r a s lo d g e rs— a re
c o n sid e re d in s e c tio n 2. I n s t i t u t i o n a l re s id e n ts — w h o se in c o m e s a r e n o t in c lu d e d
in t h e n a tio n a l d is tr ib u tio n b y in c o m e le v e l— a r e d isc u s se d in s e c tio n 3.

T

13

SECTION I.

INCOM ES OF FAM ILIES

T h e B a s is o f t h e F a m i l y E s tim a te s

T h e g e n e r a l m e t h o d fo llo w e d i n p r e p a r i n g t h e e s t i 
m a t e s o f f a m i l y in c o m e s w a s t o e x t e n d t h e fin d in g s fo r
fa m ilie s i n s a m p le a r e a s t o c o v e r a ll f a m ilie s i n t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s . T h e s t e p s i n t h i s p ro c e s s , i n b r o a d o u t 
lin e , w e r e : (1 ) T o s e c u r e d a t a o n in c o m e s f r o m a la r g e
s a m p le o f fa m ilie s ; (2 ) T o t a b u l a t e t h e s a m p le d a t a b y
h o m o g e n e o u s g ro u p s o f fa m ilie s , a n d t o c a lc u la te fo r
e a c h g r o u p t h e p r o p o r t io n o f fa m ilie s a t e a c h in c o m e
le v e l; (3 ) T o d iv id e a ll fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s in t o
h o m o g e n e o u s g ro u p s c o m p a r a b le t o th o s e i n t o w h ic h
t h e s a m p le w a s d iv i d e d ; (4) T o o b t a i n a n e s t i m a t e d i n 
co m e d is trib u tio n fo r e a c h h o m o g e n e o u s g ro u p o f th e
fa m ily p o p u la t io n b y e x te n d in g to i t t h e in c o m e d i s t r i 
b u t i o n o f t h e c o m p a r a b le s a m p le g r o u p ; (5 ) T o a d j u s t
t h e r e s u l t s b y a v a ila b le in c o m e t a x d a t a ; a n d (6 ) T o
b u ild u p a n e s t im a t e d n a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n , a n d d i s t r i 
b u t i o n s f o r m a j o r c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s , b y c o m b in in g th e
a d j u s t e d fig u r e s f o r t h e v a r io u s g ro u p s .

The Sample Data
A s p o i n t e d o u t i n P a r t I , t h e e s t im a t e s w e re b a s e d
p r i m a r i ly o n d a t a o n fa m ily in c o m e s c o lle c te d i n th e
S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .1 T h e fa m ilie s i n t e r 
v ie w e d i n t h i s s t u d y c o m p r is e d a b r o a d s a m p le o f
A m e r ic a n f a m ilie s w it h d iv e rs e s o c ia l a n d e c o n o m ic
c h a r a c t e r is ti c s liv in g in v a r io u s t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y in
d if f e r e n t s e c ti o n s o f t h e U n i t e d S ta t e s . T h e in f o r m a 
t io n s e c u r e d f r o m th e s e f a m ilie s w a s c la ss ifie d s e p a r a t e ly
f o r e a c h h o m o g e n e o u s g r o u p o f fa m ilie s h a v i n g s im ila r
c h a r a c t e r is ti c s a s t o s iz e , o c c u p a tio n , r e lie f s t a t u s , a n d
c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y , a n d liv in g i n t h e s a m e t y p e o f c o m 
m u n i t y a n d g e o g r a p h ic a l re g io n .
T h e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a w e re o b t a in e d f r o m a p p r o x i
m a t e l y 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 f a m ilie s liv in g i n c it ie s a n d v illa g e s
a n d o n f a r m s i n 3 0 d if f e r e n t S ta t e s . I n a ll, 6 6 f a r m
c o u n tie s w e re in c lu d e d i n t h e s a m p le , 140 v illa g e s , a n d
51 c it ie s , r a n g i n g i n s iz e f r o m 9 ,0 0 0 p o p u la t io n t o
m e tr o p o lis e s o f m o r e t h a n 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 .1
2 T h e g e o g ra p h ic
d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e s a m p le u n i t s is s h o w n b y t h e a c c o m 
1 F o r a m o r e d e ta ile d d e s c r ip tio n o f th e d a ta fr o m th i s s t u d y , s e e A p p e n d ix A ,
s e c . 2.
2 F o r l is t o f s a m p l e c o m m u n it ie s , s e e ta b le 1 A a n d A p p e n d ix A , p p . 46 -47.
14

p a n y in g m a p , c h a r t 10. I t w ill b e o b s e r v e d t h a t c e r ta i n
s e c ti o n s o f t h e c o u n t r y , n o t a b l y t h e f o u r S t a t e s i n t h e
S o u th w e s t, a r e n o t r e p r e s e n t e d b y a n y s a m p le c o m 
m u n itie s . T h e l im it a ti o n s o f t h e s a m p le i n th is
r e s p e c t w ill b e d is c u s s e d b e lo w .
T h e in f o r m a ti o n o n in c o m e s w a s o b t a in e d i n p e r s o n a l
in te r v ie w s w i t h t h e fa m ilie s , t h r o u g h r a n d o m h o u s e - to h o u s e c a n v a s s in g . N a t i v e - w h i t e fa m ilie s t h a t c o n 
t a i n e d b o t h h u s b a n d a n d w ife w e re s a m p le d m o s t
in te n s iv e ly . I n a ll c itie s , h o w e v e r, a n d i n s o m e r u r a l
c o m m u n itie s a s m a lle r s a m p le w a s t a k e n o f n a t i v e w h ite b r o k e n fa m ilie s a n d o f fa m ilie s b e lo n g in g t o o t h e r
c o l o r - n a ti v it y g ro u p s . I n a ll S o u th e r n c o m m u n itie s
a n d i n tw o l a r g e c itie s i n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l re g io n ,
N e g r o fa m ilie s w i t h h u s b a n d a n d w ife w e r e s a m p le d a s
in t e n s iv e ly a s w e re t h e n a t i v e - w h it e fa m ilie s .
T h e in c o m e s c h e d u le f o r e a c h fa m ily c o v e re d t h e
1 2 - m o n th p e r io d i m m e d ia te ly p r e c e d in g t h e
in te r
v ie w o r , i n s o m e c a se s , a s im ila r p e r io d e n d in g 1 o r 2
m o n th s b e f o r e t h e d a t e o f t h e in te r v ie w . A ll o f th e
field w o r k w a s c a r r ie d o u t d u r in g 1 93 6 , w i t h t h e
h e a v ie s t v o lu m e o f i n te r v ie w in g fa llin g i n t h e s u m m e r
m o n th s . T h e t o t a l p e r io d c o v e re d b y t h e in c o m e s c h e d 
u le s , th e r e f o r e , fe ll w it h i n t h e y e a r s 193 5 a n d 1 93 6 ,
a n d t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e s c h e d u le s w e re c o n c e n t r a t e d
i n t h e m id d le o f t h e 2 - y e a r p e r io d . T h u s t h e d a t a a re
i n t h e m a i n r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e 12 m o n th s fr o m J u l y
1935 t h r o u g h J u n e 1936.
T h e in f o r m a ti o n o b t a in e d f r o m e a c h f a m ily c o v e re d
t h e a m o u n t o f in c o m e re c e iv e d d u r in g t h e y e a r f r o m a ll
s o u r c e s , s e p a r a t e e n t r i e s b e in g m a d e o n t h e s c h e d u le fo r
t h e in c o m e f r o m e a c h s o u r c e . T h e in f o r m a ti o n o n
m o n e y in c o m e c o v e re d t h e e a r n in g s o f e a c h m e m b e r o f
t h e f a m ily f r o m e a c h k i n d o f w o r k e n g a g e d i n d u r in g t h e
y e a r a n d , i n a d d i ti o n , in c o m e f r o m p ro fi ts , i n t e r e s t ,
d iv id e n d s , a n d r e n t s , f r o m p e n s i o n s , a n n u itie s , a n d
b e n e fits , f r o m g if ts i n c a s h in s o f a r a s th e s e g if ts w e re
u s e d f o r c u r r e n t f a m ily e x p e n s e s , a n d f r o m s e v e r a l
m in o r s o u r c e s . E s t i m a t e s w e r e a ls o m a d e o f t h e v a lu e
of th e o ccu p an cy of a n o w ned h om e a n d of re n t re 
c e iv e d a s p a y , a n d — f o r r u r a l f a m ilie s — o f h o m e - g r o w n
fo o d a n d o t h e r f a r m p r o d u c t s u s e d b y t h e f a m ily .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

C O M M U N IT I E S

15

COVERED

IN

STUDY

T h e s e v a r io u s i t e m s o f m o n e y a n d n o n m o n e y in c o m e
w e re a d d e d t o g e t h e r t o a r r i v e a t t h e t o t a l in c o m e o f t h e
fa m ily . H o w e v e r , t h e in c o m e s c h e d u le s f o r th o s e
f a m ilie s t h a t h a d re c e iv e d d i r e c t re lie f, e i t h e r i n c a s h o r
in k in d , a t s o m e tim e d u r i n g t h e y e a r d id n o t in c lu d e
t h e v a lu e o f s u c h d i r e c t re lie f , a lt h o u g h t h e a m o u n t o f
w o r k r e lie f e a r n in g s a n d o f in c o m e fr o m a ll o t h e r s o u r c e s
w a s r e p o r t e d f o r th e s e fa m ilie s .3
I t s h o u ld b e n o t e d t h a t in c o m e w a s d e f in e d a s n e t
in c o m e a f t e r b u s in e s s o p e r a t i n g e x p e n s e s a n d e x p e n s e s
c o n n e c te d w i t h in c o m e - y ie ld in g p r o p e r t y w e re d e 
d u c t e d . I t s h o u ld a ls o b e n o t e d t h a t ta x e s fo r m in g
p a r t o f b u s in e s s e x p e n s e s w e r e d e d u c t e d f r o m in c o m e ,
b u t t h a t in c o m e ta x e s , p o ll ta x e s , a n d ta x e s o n g o o d s
a n d s e r v ic e s c o n s u m e d b y t h e fa m ily w e re n o t d e d u c t e d .

Constructing the Sample Distributions
O n t h e b a s is o f th e s e d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n 
s u m e r P u rc h a s e s th e re w a s c o n s tru c te d fo r e a c h h o m o 
g e n e o u s g r o u p o f f a m ilie s i n t h e s a m p le a p e r c e n ta g e
d i s t r i b u t i o n s h o w in g t h e p r o p o r t io n o f f a m ilie s a t e a c h
3 F o r fu r th e r d e f i n i t io n s o f in c o m e a n d o f r e l ie f fa m ili e s , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p p . 41 a n d 42.

OF

CONSUMER

PURCHASES

in c o m e le v e l. M o r e t h a n 1 ,2 0 0 s u c h p e r c e n ta g e d is 
t r i b u t i o n s w e r e c a lc u la te d . I n t h e m a j o r i t y o f c a s e s ,
t h e r e w e r e s e v e r a l p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r e a c h
h o m o g e n e o u s g r o u p o f f a m ilie s b e c a u s e tw o o r m o re
c o m m u n itie s o f a g iv e n t y p e w e re s a m p le d i n t h e s a m e
re g io n . T h e s e d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e re a v e r a g e d t o g e th e r
to r e s u l t fi n a lly i n 7 2 9 d i s t r i b u t i o n s , e a c h o f w h ic h
r e p r e s e n t e d t h e p a t t e r n o f in c o m e f o r o n e h o m o g e n e o u s
“ q u a l i t a t i v e ” g r o u p .1
T h e la r g e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s in c lu d e d i n t h e s a m p le
m a d e i t p o s s ib le t o b u i l d u p t h e n a t i o n a l in c o m e d is 
t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s d i r e c t l y f r o m t h e u n 
s m o o th e d in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s d e r iv e d f r o m t h e b a s ic
d a t a r e p o r t e d o n t h e f a m ily s c h e d u le s . T h e s e d i s t r i b u 
t io n s w e r e c h e c k e d a g a i n s t d a t a f o r c o m p a r a b le g r o u p s
o f f a m ilie s f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y b u t n o
a d j u s t m e n t s t o s m o o th o r a l t e r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s s e e m e d
d e s ir a b le .56 T h e o n ly c o r r e c tio n t h a t s e e m e d n e c e s s a r y
w a s f o r t h e h ig h in c o m e le v e ls , w h e re F e d e r a l in c o m e
t a x d a t a w e re u s e d t o s u p p l e m e n t t h e s a m p le m a t e r ia l .
4 F o r fu r th e r d e s c r ip t io n o f th e s a m p le d is t r ib u t io n s , s ee A p p e n d i x A , s e c s . 3 a n d 4 .
6 F o r d is c u s s i o n o f c o m p a r is o n w i th d a ta fr o m t h e N a t io n a l H e a lt h S u r v e y , s e e
A p p e n d i x A , p p . 58-59.

16
F o r f a m ilie s t h a t h a d r e c e iv e d r e lie f a t s o m e tim e
d u r in g t h e y e a r a s p e c ia l a d j u s t m e n t i n t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s
w a s n e e d e d b e f o r e a p p ly in g t h e fin a l p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts .
S in c e t h e f a m ily s c h e d u le s i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s d id n o t in c lu d e t h e a m o u n t o f d i r e c t r e lie f
re c e iv e d , e i t h e r i n c a s h o r i n k in d , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o
a d d t h e e s t i m a t e d v a lu e o f s u c h r e lie f t o t h e in c o m e d is 
t r i b u t i o n s o f r e lie f fa m ilie s .
D a ta fro m th e W o rk s
P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n , t h e S o c ia l S e c u r i ty B o a r d , t h e
F a r m S e c u r i ty A d m i n is tr a t i o n , a n d t h e F e d e r a l S u r p lu s
C o m m o d itie s C o r p o r a t io n w e r e u s e d f o r t h i s p u r p o s e .
N o a d j u s t m e n t w a s n e e d e d w i t h r e s p e c t t o w o r k re lie f ,
a s s u c h e a r n in g s h a d b e e n r e p o r t e d o n t h e s c h e d u le s o f
t h e s t u d y , w i t h e a r n in g s f r o m p r i v a t e e m p lo y m e n t a n d
in c o m e f r o m o t h e r s o u r c e s . T h e e s t i m a t e d v a l u e o f
d i r e c t r e lie f a d d e d t o t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s a m o u n t e d t o le s s
t h a n 23 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f re lie f
fa m ilie s f r o m a ll s o u r c e s .6
I n p r e p a r i n g t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s , i t
w a s n o t p o s s ib le t o s h o w s e p a r a t e e s t im a t e s f o r d if fe re n t
o c c u p a tio n s a n d f o r d if f e r e n t s iz e s o f f a m ily , a s t h e i n 
co m e d a ta fro m th e C o n su m e r P u rc h a se s S tu d y h a d
n o t b e e n t a b u l a t e d a c c o r d in g t o th e s e f a c to r s a t th e
t im e t h i s r e p o r t w a s p r e p a r e d . F u r t h e r m o r e , e v e n if
th e s e t a b u l a t i o n s h a d b e e n a v a ila b le , i t w o u ld h a v e b e e n
d iffic u lt, i f n o t im p o s s ib le , t o fin d a s a t i s f a c t o r y b a s is f o r
d e t e r m i n in g t h e a m o u n t o f d ir e c t r e lie f t o b e a d d e d t o
t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s o f e a c h g r o u p . F o r s im ila r
r e a s o n s , i t w a s n o t p o s s ib le t o p r e p a r e s a t i s f a c t o r y d is 
t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s liv in g i n d if f e r e n t t y p e s o f
c o m m u n ity . A s a r e s u l t, t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r
t h e v a r io u s c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s s h o w n i n t h e
fo llo w in g p a g e s a r e fo r n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s o n ly . S u c h
fa m ilie s c o n s t i t u t e d 8 5 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ilie s i n t h e
N a t i o n i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .

Extension of Sample Distributions
to Family Population
I n e x te n d in g t h e s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s to a n a t i o n a l
b a s is , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o d iv id e t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f
fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i n t o r e l a t i v e l y s m a ll
h o m o g e n e o u s g r o u p s c o r r e s p o n d in g a s c lo s e ly a s p o s s ib le
w it h t h e g r o u p s f o r w h ic h t h e s a m p le in c o m e d i s t r i b u 
tio n s w e r e a v a ila b le . A ll f a m ilie s liv in g h i t h e s a m e
t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y a n d re g io n , t h a t b e lo n g e d t o t h e
s a m e c o l o r - n a ti v it y g r o u p , h a d t h e s a m e r e lie f s t a t u s ,
a n d t h e s a m e fa m ily - s i z e o r o c c u p a tio n a l c la s s if ic a tio n ,
w e r e a s s ig n e d t o t h e s a m e g r o u p . T h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f
f a m ilie s i n e a c h g r o u p w a s t h e n d i s t r i b u t e d a m o n g t h e
s e v e r a l in c o m e le v e ls b y u s in g t h e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u 
t i o n w h ic h w a s f o u n d f r o m t h e s a m p le d a t a t o p r e v a il
f o r f a m ilie s o f t h a t d e s c r ip tio n .
F o r e x a m p le , t h e s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r
n o n r e lie f n a t i v e - w h it e h u s b a n d - w if e f a m ilie s o f t h r e e to
« F o r d i s c u s s i o n o f d ir e c t r e l i e f a d j u s t m e n t , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p p . 6 2 -6 6 .

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

f o u r p e r s o n s liv in g i n H a v e r h il l , M a s s ., a n d N e w
B r i t a i n , C o n n ., w e r e u s e d t o d i s t r i b u t e b y in c o m e le v e l
t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f n a t i v e - w h i t e h u s b a n d w ife fa m ilie s o f t h r e e t o f o u r p e r s o n s liv in g i n a ll
m id d le -s iz e d c it ie s i n N e w E n g l a n d .
I n o r d e r t o d iv id e t h e fa m ily p o p u la t io n i n t h i s w a y
i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o e s t i m a t e t h e t o t a l p o p u la t io n i n
1 9 3 5 -3 6 , f i r s t f o r t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , a n d t h e n f o r e a c h
t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n e a c h r e g io n a n d f o r t h e
s e v e r a l c o l o r - n a ti v it y g ro u p s i n a ll o f th e s e a r e a s . T h e
b a s ic d a t a u s e d w e r e f r o m t h e 1 9 3 0 C e n s u s , w i t h e s t i 
m a t e s f o r t h e p o p u la t io n a s o f J a n u a r y 1, 1 936, b a s e d
o n r e c e n t s t u d i e s o f t r e n d s in p o p u la t io n g r o w th a n d
c o m p o s itio n .
F a m ilie s t h a t h a d re c e iv e d r e lie f a t s o m e tim e d u r in g
t h e y e a r w e r e t r e a t e d s e p a r a t e l y f r o m n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s .
T h e p r o p o r t io n s o f r e lie f a n d n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s f o r e a c h
c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y g r o u p i n e a c h lo c a li t y w e r e d e t e r 
m in e d o n t h e b a s is o f d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u rc h a se s a n d fro m th e N a tio n a l H e a lth S u rv e y
r e c e n t l y c o n d u c t e d b y t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s P u b li c H e a l t h
S e rv ic e i n 8 4 c it ie s a n d 23 r u r a l a re a s .
A s in d i c a t e d a b o v e , r e lie f fa m ilie s w e r e n o t c la ss ifie d
b y o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p o r b y fa m ily siz e . N o n re li e f
fa m ilie s , h o w e v e r, w e r e d iv id e d a m o n g t h e v a r io u s o c c u 
p a t i o n a l g ro u p s a n d t h e f o u r s iz e s o f f a m ily o n t h e b a s is
o f t h e s a m p le d a t a , w i t h a c h e c k a t v a r io u s p o i n t s w ith
a v a ila b le c e n s u s m a t e r ia l . P e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s of
fa m ilie s b y in c o m e le v e l w e e c a lc u la t e d f r o m t h e s a m 
p le f o r e a c h siz e o f fa m ily w i t h o u t a n y b r e a k - d o w n b y
o c c u p a tio n , a n d a g a in f o r e a c h o c c u p a t io n w i t h o u t a n y
b r e a k - d o w n f o r f a m ily siz e . H e n c e i t w a s n o t n e c e s s a r y
t o e s t i m a t e t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n t h e p o p u 
l a t i o n o f e a c h s iz e w it h i n e a c h o c c u p a t io n a l g ro u p .
T h e 2 9 ,4 0 0 ,3 0 0 fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w e re
d iv id e d i n th e s e v a r io u s w a y s to f o r m 7 2 9 h o m o g e n e o u s
g ro u p s , c o m p a r a b le t o th o s e f o r w h ic h s a m p le d i s t r i b u 
t io n s w e re c a lc u la te d .7 T h e fa m ilie s i n e a c h g r o u p
w e re t h e n d is t r i b u t e d t o t h e d if f e r e n t in c o m e le v e ls
b y a p p l y i n g t h e a p p r o p r i a t e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n
fr o m t h e s a m p le d a t a . T h e n e x t s t e p w a s t o c o m b in e
t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e l a t e d g ro u p s b y a d d i n g t h e f a m 
ilie s a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l, i n o r d e r t o o b t a i n t h e p a t t e r n s
o f in c o m e f o r b r o a d g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s . F o r e x a m p le ,
t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f f a r m fa m ilie s w a s b u i l t u p
b y a d d i n g t o g e t h e r t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r 6 5 c o m p o n e n t
g ro u p s o f f a r m fa m ilie s . T h e n a t i o n a l s u m m a r y fo r
fa m ilie s r e p r e s e n ts th e s u m o f t h e c o m p o n e n t d i s t r i b u 
tio n s.

Adjustment by Income Tax Data
A lth o u g h r a n d o m s a m p lin g m e t h o d s w e r e u s e d i n t h e
c o m m u n itie s c o v e re d b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r 
c h a s e s i t w a s fo u n d t h a t fa m ilie s i n t h e h ig h e r in c o m e
7 S ee ta b le s 1 A a n d 3 A .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

b r a c k e t s w e re s o m e w h a t u n d e r r e p r e s e n te d . F o r th is
re a s o n i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o c o r r e c t t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u 
tio n s b y u s in g F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x d a t a . T h e n u m b e r
o f in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s a n d t h e r e p o r t e d a g g r e g a te n e t
in c o m e f o r t h e y e a r 1 93 5 , c la s s ifie d b y in c o m e le v e l a n d
b y ty p e o f re tu r n , to g e th e r w ith d a ta o n so u rces o f
in c o m e a n d d e d u c tio n s , a ls o c la ss ifie d b y in c o m e le v e l,
w e r e m a d e a v a ila b le f o r t h i s p u r p o s e b y t h e U n i te d
S t a t e s B u r e a u o f I n t e r n a l R e v e n u e . P r e li m i n a r y fig 
u r e s o n t h e n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s a n d t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e
fo r 193 6 w e r e a ls o u tiliz e d .
T h e in c o m e t a x d a t a f o r in c o m e s a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0 w e re
a d j u s t e d t o m a k e t h e m c o r r e s p o n d a s c lo s e ly a s p o s s ib le
w i t h t h e d e f in iti o n o f in c o m e u s e d i n t h e S t u d y o f
C o n su m e r P u rc h a se s
C a p i t a l g a in s w e r e s u b t r a c t e d
f r o m t h e r e p o r t e d n e t in c o m e a n d c e r t a i n ite m s — e. g .,
i n t e r e s t p a i d , ta x e s a n d c o n t r i b u t io n s — w h ic h h a d b e e n
d e d u c t e d f o r in c o m e t a x p u r p o s e s w e r e a d d e d . S im i
l a r ly , i n t e r e s t re c e iv e d f r o m t a x - e x e m p t s e c u r itie s w a s
a d d e d a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l. T h is c o r r e c tio n f o r t h e
a d d itio n o f d e d u c tio n s a n d ta x -e x e m p t in te r e s t to th e
n e t in c o m e , a s w e ll a s m o s t o f t h e s u b s e q u e n t c o r 
r e c ti o n s d e s c r ib e d b e lo w , n e c e s s i t a t e d t h e s h if ti n g o f a
c e r t a i n n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s a n d o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e f r o m
o n e in c o m e i n t e r v a l t o t h e n e x t h ig h e r in c o m e i n t e r v a l .
T h e n e x t t y p e o f a d j u s t m e n t w a s t o c o m b in e v a r io u s
t y p e s o f r e t u r n s t o r e p r e s e n t f a m ily u n i t s r a t h e r t h a n
in d i v i d u a l in c o m e re c ip ie n ts . T h u s , t h e s e p a r a t e
r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d s a n d w iv e s w e r e c o m b in e d , o n t h e
b a s is o f c e r t a i n a s s u m p ti o n s a s t o t h e r e l a t i v e s iz e o f
t h e i r in c o m e s , t o y ie ld a n e w d is t r i b u t i o n a c c o r d in g to
t h e c o m b in e d in c o m e o f t h e f a m ily u n i t . T h i s d is 
trib u tio n w a s th e n a d d e d to th e jo in t r e tu r n s o f h u s 
b a n d s a n d w iv e s a n d t h e s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s o f o t h e r
h e a d s o f f a m ilie s . T h is r e s u l te d i n a s in g le d i s t r i b u t i o n
s h o w in g t h e n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s a n d t h e a g g r e g a t e
in c o m e a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0 .
T h e d is trib u tio n w a s n e x t a d ju s te d to ta k e in to
a c c o u n t t h e d iff e re n c e b e tw e e n t h e s iz e o f t h e n a t i o n a l
in c o m e f o r t h e c a le n d a r y e a r 1 9 3 5 a n d f o r t h e y e a r
e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 93 6 . T h i s a d j u s t m e n t w a s m a d e o n
t h e b a s is o f r e l a t i o n s h i p s s h o w n b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f
C o m m e rc e fig u r e s o n n a t i o n a l in c o m e p a i d o u t i n 1 93 5 ,
1 9 3 5 - 3 6 , a n d 1 93 6 , a n d t h o s e s h o w n b y t h e 1935
F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x d a t a a n d p r e li m i n a r y d a t a o n th e
n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e f o r 1 936.
A d j u s t m e n t s w e re t h e n m a d e f o r t h e u n d e r s t a t e m e n t
a n d f o r t h e n o n r e p o r t i n g o f in c o m e . T h e a d j u s t m e n t
f o r n o n r e p o r t i n g w a s m a d e t o a llo w f o r t h e f a ilu r e o f
s o m e p e r s o n s t o file r e t u r n s , a lt h o u g h t h e y w e r e s u b j e c t
to t h e in c o m e t a x , a n d t o c a r e f o r p e r s o n s w h o s e
s a la r ie s a r e n o t s u b j e c t t o F e d e r a l t a x a t i o n — e . g .,
o fficia ls o f S t a t e a n d m u n ic ip a l G o v e r n m e n t s . T h e
c o r r e c tio n f o r u n d e r s t a t e m e n t w a s m a d e b e c a u s e c e r ta i n
ite m s o f in c o m e , s u c h a s p r o f its , r e n t s , r o y a ltie s , a n d

17
fe e s, t e n d to b e u n d e r s t a t e d o n t h e in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s
T o m a k e th e s e a d j u s t m e n t s i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o a s s u m e
a p e r c e n ta g e o f n o n r e p o r t i n g a n d a p e r c e n ta g e o f u n d e r 
s t a t e m e n t w h ic h v a r i e d a t t h e d if f e r e n t in c o m e le v e ls .
I n t h e c a s e o f n o n r e p o r t i n g t h e p e r c e n ta g e s w e r e e s t i 
m a te d o n th e n u m b e r of r e tu r n s ; fo r u n d e rs ta te m e n t
t h e y w e r e m a d e o n t h e b a s is o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t
e a c h in c o m e le v e l.
D a t a f r o m t h e S tu d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s p r o 
v id e d t h e b a s is f o r a n e s t i m a t e o f t h e a d d i t i o n a l fa m ily
in c o m e , a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l, r e c e iv e d b y m e m b e r s o f
t h e f a m ily o t h e r t h a n th o s e a lr e a d y a c c o u n t e d f o r i n
t h e in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s . T h e s a m e s t u d y w a s u s e d to
o b t a i n a n e s t i m a t e o f t h e n o n m o n e y in c o m e o f t h e
fa m ily — e. g ., t h e v a l u e o f t h e o c c u p a n c y o f a n o w n e d
h o m e — a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l.
T h e a d j u s t m e n t s r e s u lte d , fin a lly , i n d is t r i b u t i o n s
s h o w in g t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a n d t h e a g g r e g a te i n 
c o m e i n e a c h in c o m e i n t e r v a l a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 . T h e
n a t i o n a l in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n d e r iv e d f r o m t h e C o n 
s u m e r P u r c h a s e s d a t a w a s c o r r e c te d b y a d d i n g a t e a c h
in c o m e i n t e r v a l a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 t h e a d d i t i o n a l n u m b e r o f
fa m ilie s s h o w n b y t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a to h a v e b e lo n g e d
i n th e s e in c o m e c la s se s. T h e d i s t r i b u t i o n b e lo w
$ 7 ,5 0 0 w a s c o r r e c te d to a llo w fo r t h e s h if ti n g o f t h i s
n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s t o t h e h ig h e r in c o m e b r a c k e ts . T h e
c o r r e c tio n b y in c o m e t a x d a t a r a is e d t h e n u m b e r o f
fa m ilie s w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 7 ,5 0 0 o r o v e r f r o m t h e 0 .4 7
p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s in d i c a t e d b y t h e
s a m p le t o a n e s t i m a t e d 1.61 p e r c e n t.
T h e F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x d a t a s u p p lie d b y t h e B u r e a u
o f I n t e r n a l R e v e n u e g a v e s e p a r a t e fig u r e s f o r e a c h S t a t e
s im ila r t o th o s e f o r t h e t o t a l U n i t e d S t a t e s , t h o u g h
w i t h n o d e t a il o n s o u r c e s o f in c o m e , d e d u c tio n s , o r
t y p e o f r e t u r n . B y c o m b in in g t h e S t a t e fig u r e s a n d
a d j u s t i n g t h e m o n t h e b a s is o f t h e c h a n g e s m a d e i n
t h e n a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n , c o r r e c te d d is t r i b u t i o n s w e re
o b t a in e d f o r e a c h g e o g ra p h ic re g io n , s h o w in g t h e
n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a n d t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t e a c h
in c o m e le v e l a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 .
B e c a u s e t h e in c o m e t a x fig u r e s w e re n o t c la s sifie d b y
t y p e o f c o m m u n ity , o c c u p a tio n , f a m ily s iz e a n d c o lo r
a n d n a t i v i t y , t h e m e t h o d s u s e d i n c o r r e c tin g t h e i n 
c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r th e s e c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s o f
fa m ilie s w e r e n e c e s s a ri ly m o r e a r b i t r a r y . A d e s c r ip 
t io n o f th e s e m e th o d s , t o g e t h e r w i t h a d e t a il e d a c c o u n t
o f t h e v a r io u s a d j u s t m e n t s m a d e i n t h e in c o m e t a x
d a t a , is p r e s e n te d i n A p p e n d ix A , s e c ti o n 7.

Aggregate and Average Incomes
T h e e s t im a t e s o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e p r e s e n t e d i n th is
r e p o r t w e re b u i l t u p in e s s e n tia lly t h e s a m e w a y a s t h e
in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s . T h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r 
c h a s e s p r o v id e d i n f o r m a ti o n o n t h e a v e r a g e ( a r ith m e tic
m e a n ) in c o m e a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l fo r m a n y o f t h e

18
s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s . T h e a v e r a g e w a s i n e a c h c a se
m u l ti p li e d b y t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a t t h a t in c o m e
le v e l. W h e r e i n f o r m a ti o n o n a v e r a g e s w a s n o t a v a i la 
b le f r o m t h e s a m p le d a t a i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o c o m p u te
t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l b y c o r r e c ti n g
t h e m i d p o i n t fig u r e o n t h e b a s is o f t h e n u m b e r s o f
f a m ilie s i n a d j a c e n t in c o m e c la s s e s . F o r in c o m e c la ss e s
a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e w a s o b t a in e d fr o m
t h e a d j u s t e d in c o m e t a x d a t a .
T h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e s a t t h e d if f e r e n t in c o m e le v e ls
w e r e a d d e d t o g e th e r , a n d t h e r e s u l ti n g t o t a l s w e re t h e n
s u m m e d f o r v a r io u s r e l a t e d g r o u p s o f f a m ilie s t o o b t a i n
t h e e s t im a t e s o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e
r e p o r t . T h e n a t i o n a l a g g r e g a te in c o m e is t h e s u m o f
t h e a g g r e g a te s f o r c o m p o n e n t g ro u p s .
T h e a v e r a g e ( a r i t h m e t i c m e a n ) in c o m e f o r e a c h g r o u p
o f f a m ilie s w a s t h e n o b t a i n e d b y d iv id in g t h e a g g r e g a te
in c o m e b y t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s i n t h e g r o u p . T h is
a v e r a g e is , o f c o u rs e , m u c h a ff e c te d b y t h e v e r y h ig h
in c o m e s r e c e iv e d b y a s m a ll n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s . F o r
s o m e p u r p o s e s , th e r e f o r e , t h e m e d ia n in c o m e — r e p r e 
s e n ti n g t h e in c o m e o f t h e m id d le f a m ily i n t h e d i s t r i 
b u t i o n — is a m o r e s ig n if ic a n t m e a s u r e . H a l f o f t h e
fa m ilie s re c e iv e m o r e t h a n t h e m e d ia n in c o m e , h a l f
re c e iv e le s s . B o t h t h e m e a n a n d t h e m e d ia n in c o m e s
a r e s h o w n f o r e a c h g r o u p o f f a m ilie s f o r w h ic h a n in c o m e

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s i n a n y g iv e n s a m p le w a s s m a ll, t h e
r e s u ltin g d is t r i b u t i o n s w e re c h e c k e d w i t h th o s e f o r
o t h e r g ro u p s o f fa m ilie s w i t h s im ila r c h a r a c t e r is ti c s
b e fo re t h e y w e re u s e d . I n o n ly a fe w c a s e s , a n d fo r
r e l a t i v e l y m in o r g ro u p s i n t h e p o p u la tio n , w e r e t h e
s a m p le d a t a so i n a d e q u a t e t h a t i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to
b o r r o w t h e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r o n e g r o u p of
fa m ilie s t o u s e i n d i s t r i b u t i n g a c lo s e ly - re la te d g r o u p to
t h e d if f e r e n t in c o m e i n t e r v a l s .
T h e n a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n o f fa m ilie s b y in c o m e le v e l
is b e lie v e d , th e r e f o r e , to b e a g o o d a p p r o x im a t i o n to
t h e t r u e s i t u a t i o n i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 . T h e m e a s u r e m e n t o f
v a r ia t io n s i n t h e in c o m e p a t t e r n s a m o n g b r o a d g ro u p s
o f fa m ilie s , i n t e r m s o f t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s a n d
a v e r a g e in c o m e s , a r e a ls o c o n s i d e r e d re lia b le . T h e
s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r c e r ta i n o f t h e c o m p o n e n t
g ro u p s , h o w e v e r, a r e m o r e t e n t a t i v e a n d h a v e b e e n
p la c e d i n A p p e n d ix B . T h e s e t e n t a t i v e d is t r i b u t i o n s
in c lu d e c e r t a i n c ro s s - c la s s ific a tio n s o f t h e d a t a — s u c h
a s t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n
e a c h r e g io n — w h ic h a r e u s e fu l i n i n t e r p r e t i n g t h e f in d 
in g s f o r t h e b r o a d e r g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s . V a r io u s o t h e r
c ro s s - c la s s ific a tio n s u s e d i n b u ild in g u p t h e e s t im a t e s
w e re o m i t t e d f r o m t h e a p p e n d ix , a s t h e i r v a lu e w a s n o t
c o n s id e r e d s u ffic ie n t t o j u s t i f y t h e i r p r e s e n t a ti o n .

d is t r i b u t i o n is g iv e n .

In c o m e s o f A l l F a m ilie s

Reliability of the Estimates

T h e s a l ie n t fin d in g s c o n c e rn in g fa m ily in c o m e s in
1 9 3 5 -3 6 w e r e p r e s e n t e d i n P a r t I o f t h e r e p o r t.
C h a rt

A lth o u g h t h e v a r i e t y a n d n u m b e r o f s a m p le d i s t r i 
b u t i o n s u s e d i n d i s t r i b u t i n g t h e fa m ilie s t o in c o m e
le v e ls t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t a g r e a t m a n y o f t h e f a c to r s
w h ic h m a k e f o r d if fe re n c e s i n in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s ,
n e v e r t h e l e s s t h e r e a r e d i s t i n c t l i m it a ti o n s i n t h e r e s u l ts
o b t a in e d . T h e in c o m e s o f f a m ilie s m a y d if fe r b y r e a 
s o n o f a n u m b e r o f f a c to r s w h ic h c o u ld n o t p o s s ib ly
b e m e a s u r e d i n a N a t i o n - w id e s t a t i s t i c a l s t u d y . M o r e 
o v e r , i n s o m e i m p o r t a n t i n s t a n c e s t h e s a m p le i ts e lf w a s
t o o s m a ll t o b e s u r e t h a t t h e fin d in g s w e re r e p r e s e n t a 
t i v e o f t h e t o t a l g r o u p o f f a m ilie s t o w h ic h t h e y w e re
a p p lie d . A t t e n t i o n h a s a lr e a d y b e e n d ir e c t e d to t h e
a b s e n c e o f s a m p le in c o m e d a t a f o r c e r t a i n s e c ti o n s o f
t h e S o u th e r n R e g io n . W h ile t h e s a m p le c o m m u n itie s
w e r e m o r e s c a t t e r e d i n o t h e r re g io n s , t h e la c k o f
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f s o m e a r e a s a n d t h e s m a ll n u m b e r o f
c o m m u n itie s c o v e re d i n e v i t a b l y i n t r o d u c e a c e r ta i n
a m o u n t o f e r r o r i n t o t h e e s t im a t e s .8
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s
s a m p le d w a s la r g e , a n d t h e s a m p le d a t a w e r e f o u n d to
b e i n t e r n a l l y c o n s i s t e n t — t h a t is , t h e v a r i a t i o n s in
in c o m e p a t t e r n a m o n g d if f e r e n t g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s
w e re s im ila r in c o m p a r a b le c o m m u n itie s . W h e r e t h e
s T h e n u m b e r o f c a s es in th e s a m p le for d iffe r e n t r eg io n s a n d ty p e s o f c o m m u n it y
a n d for d iffe r e n t c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s is s h o w n i n ta b le s 10 A a n d 11A i n r e la tio n
to t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s i n t h e p o p u la t io n . F o r d is c u s s io n o f lim i ta t io n s o f th e s e
s a m p le fo r S o u th e r n fa r m s a n d v illa g e s , s e e A p p e n d i x A , p p . 54 a n d 57.

Ta bl e 3.—

D is tr ib u tio n
r e c e iv e d ,

of
by

fa m ilie s
in c o m e

and

le v e l,

F a m ilie s
I n c o m e le v e l
N u m ber

of

I

P er 
cen t at
each
lev e l

C um u
la tiv e
per
cen t

a g g re g a te

in c o m e

1 9 3 5 -8 6

A g g r e ga te in c o m e
A m ount
(i n th o u 
sa n d s )

P er
cen t at
each
le v e l

C um u
l a ti v e
p er
cent

U n d e r $250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$750-$1,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,000-$1,250___ _____

1 ,16 2 ,89 0
3, 015. 394
3, 799, 215
4. 277, 048
3 ,88 2 ,44 4

3 .9 5
10. 26
12 ,9 2
14.55
13 .2 0

3 .9 5
14.21
2 7 .1 3
4 1 .6 8
5 4 .8 8

$135,836
1,166, 509
2, 38 4,017
3, 738, 014
4 ,3 4 8 ,4 2 9

0 .2 8
2 .4 5
5 .0 0
7. 84
9 .1 2

0 .2 8
2. 73
7 .7 3
15. 57
24. 69

$1,250-$1,500_________
$1,500-$1,750_________
$ l,7 S 0 -$ 2 ,00 0_________
$2,000-$2,250_________
$2,250-$2,500_________

2 ,86 5 ,47 2
2, 343, 358
1,897, 037
1,42 0 ,88 3
1,043, 977

9. 75
7. 97
6 .45
4 .8 3
3. 55

64. 63
72. 60
7 9 .0 5
8 3 .8 8
87. 43

3, 907, 765
3 ,77 7, 570
3 ,4 6 8 ,8 0 3
3 ,00 2, 082
2 ,47 1, 672

8 .2 0
7. 92
7. 27
6. 30
5 .1 8

32 .8 9
40 .8 1
48 .0 8
54 .3 8
59 .5 6

$2,500-13,000_________
$3,000-$3,500_________
$3,500-$4,000_________
$4,000-$4,500_________
$4,500-$5,000_________

1, 314,199
743, 559
43 8,428
249,948
152, 647

4 .4 7
2. 53
1 .49
.8 5
.5 2

9 1 .9 0
9 4 .4 3
95. 92
96. 77
9 7 .2 9

3, 568, 624
2, 385,993
1 ,62 5 ,88 7
1,048, 368
71 9,447

7 .4 8
5. 00
3 .41
2 .20
1.51

67 .0 4
72 .0 4
75 .4 5
77. 65
79 .1 6

$5,000-$7,500_________
$7,500-110,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$10,000-$15,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$15,000-$20,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$20,000-$25,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

322,950
187,060
131,821
58 ,487
34, 208

1 .10
.6 4
.4 5
.2 0
.1 2

98. 39
99. 03
9 9 .4 8
99. 68
99. 80

1,900.
1,605,
1,496,
1,013,
762,

091
632
600
664
240

3. 99
3. 37
3 .14
2. 13
1 .60

8 3 .1 5
86. 52
8 9 .6 6
9 1 .7 9
93. 39

$25,000-$30,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$30,000-$40,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$40,000-$50,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$50,000-$100,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$100,000-$250,000______

22, 233
15, 561
6, 603
10, 571
3,33 6

.0 8
.0 5
.0 2
.0 4
.0 1

99. 88
9 9 .9 3
99. 95
99. 99
100. 00

627, 567
560, 390
314, 689
755, 017
440, 554

1 .32
1. 18
.6 6
1 .58
.9 2

94. 71
9 5 .8 9
96. 55
9 8 .1 3
99. 05

$250,000-$500,000 .......
$ 5 0 0 '00 0 -$ 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 ...
$1,000,000 a n d o v e r ____

699
197
75

200,174
110,954
142, 650

.4 2
.2 3
.3 0

9 9 .4 7
99. 70
100.00

$47, 679, 238

100. 00

29. 400. 300
1 L e ss th a n 0.005 p e r c e n t.

(0
0)
(>)
100. 00

19

C on su m e r In c o m e s

1 r e p r o d u c e d , i n a b b r e v i a t e d fo rm , t h e e s t im a t e d d is 
t r i b u t i o n o f a ll fa m ilie s b y in c o m e le v e l w h ic h a p p e a r s

r e c e iv e d in c o m e s o f m o re t h a n $ 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 . T h e b u l k
o f t h e f a m ilie s w e r e c o n c e n t r a t e d in in c o m e c la ss e s j u s t

i n t a b l e 3 a b o v e . T h is d i s t r i b u t i o n is t h e c o m p o s ite
n a t i o n a l p ic t u r e b u i l t u p f r o m t h e s e p a r a t e in c o m e
d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r fa m ilie s o f d if f e r e n t siz e a n d c o m 
p o s itio n , liv in g i n d if f e r e n t p a r t s o f t h e c o u n tr y
a n d b e lo n g in g to d i s t i n c t c o lo r a n d o c c u p a tio n a l
g ro u p s .
V a r ia t io n s i n t h e in c o m e p a t t e r n s o f th e s e c o m p o n e n t
g r o u p s a r e m e r g e d i n t h e n a t i o n a l p ic t u r e , w h ic h t r e a t s
a ll 2 9 ,4 0 0 ,3 0 0 fa m ilie s a s t h o u g h t h e y w e r e s im ila r
c o n s u m e r u n i t s , d if fe rin g f r o m e a c h o t h e r o n ly in th e
a m o u n t o f in c o m e r e c e iv e d . T o g e t h e r th e s e fa m ilie s
c o m p r is e d 91 p e r c e n t o f t h e p o p u la t io n i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
T h e y re c e iv e d a p p r o x im a t e ly f o u r - f if th s o f t h e a g g re 
g a t e c o n s u m e r in c o m e , r e p r e s e n t i n g a c o m b in e d p u r 
c h a s in g p o w e r o f a lm o s t $ 4 8 b illio n .
I f t h i s p u r c h a s i n g p o w e r h a d b e e n d iv id e d e q u a lly
a m o n g t h e f a m i l y u n i t s , i t w o u ld h a v e m e a n t a n in c o m e
o f $ 1 ,6 2 2 f o r e a c h f a m ily . A c tu a lly , m o r e t h a n 4 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
f a m ilie s r e c e iv e d in c o m e s o f le s s t h a n $ 5 0 0 ; a v e r y fe w

a b o v e a n d b e lo w $ 1 ,0 0 0 . T h e m e d ia n fa m ily in c o m e
w a s $ 1 ,1 6 0 — t h a t is, h a l f t h e fa m ilie s r e c e iv e d le s s t h a n
t h a t a m o u n t , h a l f m o re .
T h e d i s p a r i t y i n fa m ily in c o m e s is f u r t h e r r e v e a le d b y
c o m p a r in g t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f f a m ilie s w i t h t h e p r o p o r 
t io n o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t a g iv e n in c o m e le v e l.
B e c a u s e t h e u n e q u a l n u m b e r s o f fa m ilie s in t h e d if 
f e r e n t in c o m e c la s s e s r e n d e r p re c is e c o m p a r is o n d iffi
c u lt, c h a r t 11 h a s b e e n p r e p a r e d t o s h o w t h e s h a r e s o f
a g g r e g a te in c o m e g o in g to e a c h t e n t h o f t h e f a m ilie s
fr o m t h e lo w e s t t o t h e h ig h e s t in c o m e le v e ls . T h e s i t u 
a t i o n is e s s e n tia lly t h e s a m e a s a p p e a r e d in c h a r t 3 fo r
a ll c o n s u m e r u n i t s , in c lu d in g s in g le in d iv id u a ls . T h e
lo w e s t 4 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e fa m ilie s h a d in c o m e s b e lo w
$ 9 7 0 a n d re c e iv e d 15 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l in c o m e ; t h e
n e x t 4 0 p e r c e n t h a d in c o m e s b e tw e e n $ 9 7 0 a n d $ 2 ,0 5 0
a n d re c e iv e d 3 5 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l . T h e u p p e r 20
p e r c e n t, w i t h in c o m e s a b o v e $ 2 ,0 5 0 , r e c e iv e d 51 p e r c e n t
o f t h e a g g r e g a te fa m ily in c o m e .

S H A R E
BY

O F

A G G R EG A TE

E A C H

T E N T H

F A M IL Y
O F

IN C O M E

N A T I O N ’S

R E C E IV E D

F A M IL IE S

1 9 3 5 -3 6

F A M IL IE S

IN C O M E

H IG H E S T

$ 2 8 0 0

S

O VER

N IN T H

2 0 5 0

-

2 8 0 0

E IG H T H

1675

-

2 0 5 0

SEVENTH

13 75

-

1675

S IX T H

1160

-

13 7 5

F IF T H

9 7 0

-

I 160

FOURTH

8 0 0

-

9 7 0

T H IR D

610

-

8 0 0

SECOND

410

-

6 1 0

TENTH

LOW EST
TENTH

10

AGGREGATE

RANGE

UNDER

$ 4 1 0

10

0
ON

T A B L E

20
PERCENT

PERCENT

B A S E D

IN C O M E

6B

Cha r t 11
T h i s c h a r t m a y b e r e a d e it h e r b y l e n g t h o f b a r s o r b y s y m b o ls
E a c h fig u r e s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ili e s o r 2 9 4 ,0 0 0 fa m ili e s
E a c h d o lla r s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a g g r e g a t e in c o m e o f a ll fa m ilie s o r $ 4 7 6 ,7 9 2 ,3 8 0

30

40

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

20

I n c h a r t 12, t h e a g g r e g a te fa m ily in c o m e h a s b e e n
d iv id e d i n t o t e n t h s w it h t h e b a r s o n t h e r i g h t in d i c a t in g
t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s re c e iv in g e a c h t e n t h . T h is
c o m p a r is o n p a r a lle ls t h a t g iv e n i n c h a r t 5 fo r a ll c o n 

In c o m e s o f F a m i li e s o f D i f f e r e n t S iz e s

A s t h e p r e c e d in g d is c u s s io n h a s p o i n te d o u t, fa m ily
siz e is r e l a t e d to fa m ily in c o m e i n tw o o p p o s in g w a y s .
O n th e one h a n d , th e n u m b e r of e a rn e rs a n d th e age
o f t h e p r in c ip a l e a r n e r — a n d c o n s e q u e n tly t h e t o t a l
f a m ily e a r n in g s — a r e a p t to in c re a s e w it h fa m ily size.
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , fa m ily n e e d s a ls o t e n d to in c r e a s e
w it h fa m ily s iz e , so t h a t a la r g e r in c o m e is n e c e s s a r y
to m a i n t a i n t h e s a m e s t a n d a r d o f liv in g . H e n c e if t h e
r e l a t i v e a d e q u a c y o f fa m ily in c o m e s is to b e re v e a le d ,
i t is i m p o r t a n t t o d is c o v e r t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f f a m ilie s
o f e a c h siz e a t t h e v a r io u s in c o m e le v e ls .
C o m p a r is o n s o f t h e in c o m e s o f fa m ilie s o f d if f e r e n t
size s a r e n e c e s s a ri ly c o n fin e d i n t h i s r e p o r t to t h e n o n 
re lie f g r o u p , s in c e t h e s a m p le d a t a fo r t h e re lie f g r o u p
d id n o t p e r m i t t a b u l a t i o n i n t h i s m a n n e r . A s t a b l e 4
in d ic a te s , a p p r o x im a t e ly 15 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r
o f fa m ilie s r e c e iv e d s o m e f o r m o f w o rk re lie f o r d ir e c t
re lie f a t s o m e tim e d u r in g t h e y e a r . T h e s h a r e o f t h e
a g g r e g a te fa m ily in c o m e r e c e iv e d b y th e s e r e lie f fa m ilie s ,
h o w e v e r, a m o u n t e d to o n ly 7 p e r c e n t a n d t h e m e a n in -

s u m e r u n i t s . T h e p r o p o r tio n s o f fa m ilie s s u p p o r t e d
b y e a c h t e n t h a r e a lm o s t id e n ti c a l w it h t h e p r o p o r tio n s
s h o w n in c h a r t 5, a l t h o u g h t h e in c o m e r a n g e s f o r t h e
v a r io u s g ro u p s a r e s o m e w h a t h ig h e r . T h u s t h e lo w e s t
t e n t h o f t h e a g g r e g a te f a m ily in c o m e is d iv id e d a m o n g
t h e 32 p e r c e n t o f t h e fa m ilie s w it h in c o m e s u n d e r $ 8 2 0 ,
w h e re a s t h e lo w e s t t e n t h o f t h e t o t a l a g g r e g a te w a s
d iv id e d a m o n g t h e 32 p e r c e n t o f fa m ilie s a n d sin g le
in d i v i d u a l s w i t h in c o m e s u n d e r $ 7 6 0 .
T h e n a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n te lls i n s u m m a r y fa s h io n
w h a t fa m ily in c o m e s w e r e i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 , b u t i t i n e v i t a b l y
c o n c e a ls t h e in c o m e s r e c e iv e d b y sp e c ific g r o u p s o f
fa m ilie s . E s t i m a t e s o f t h e in c o m e s o f t h e m a j o r c o m 
p o n e n t g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s a r e p r e s e n t e d i n s u c c e e d in g
s e c tio n s o f t h e r e p o r t. T h e y p e r m i t c o m p a r is o n o f
f a m ily in c o m e s b y siz e o f f a m ily , b y re g io n , b y t y p e o f
c o m m u n ity , b y o c c u p a tio n , a n d b y c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y .

P R O P O R T IO N
E A C H

O F

T E N T H

N A T I O N ’S

O F

F A M IL IE S

A G G R E G A T E

R E C E IV IN G

F A M IL Y

IN C O M E

1 9 3 5 -3 6

AGGREGATE

IN C O M E
H IG H E S T
TENTH

nm m

RANGE

$ 1 6 ,0 0 0

a

5 ,4 5 0

-

1 6 ,0 0 0

E IG H T H

3 ,3 0 0

-

5 ,4 5 0

SEVENTH

2 ,5 2 5

-

3 ,3 0 0

2 ,0 7 5

-

2 ,5 2 5

1 ,7 2 5

-

2 ,0 7 5

1 ,4 1 0

-

1 ,7 2 5

1 ,1 2 5

-

1 ,4 1 0

8 2 0

-

1 ,1 2 5

UNDER

-

$ 8 2 0

SECOND

LOW EST
TENTH

F A M IL IE S

OVER

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T H IR D

m

m

IN C O M E

i i

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i i i i i i i i i

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I

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I

I

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I

i

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i

I I

I

i i V

I I

I

i l l i V

10
PERCENT

BA S E D

ON

T A B LE

Y

i i i i i l i V

20
PERCENT

7B

Cha r t 12
T h i s c h a r t m a y b e r e a d e it h e r b y l e n g t h o f b a r s o r b y s y m b o ls
E a c h d o lla r s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a g g r e g a t e in c o m e o f a ll fa m ili e s o r $ 4 7 6 ,7 9 2 ,3 8 0
E a c h fig u r e s y m b o l r e p r e s e n ts 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ili e s o r 2 9 4 ,0 0 0 fa m ili e s

i i l l
30

4 0

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

Ta bl e 4.—

21
A v e r a g e a n d a g g re g a te in c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f f a m i l i e s o f f o u r s iz e s a n d o f r e lie f f a m i l i e s ,1 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

F a m ilie s

A v e r a g e in c o m e

A v era ge
num ber
of
p e rso n s

R e lie f s t a t u s a n d s iz e o f fa m ily
N um ber

P e r fa m ily

P er
c a p ita
(m e a n )

P ercen t
fa m ily

M e d ia n

A g g r e g a te in c o m e

M ean

(in th o u s a n d s )

P ercen t

F a m i li e s n o t r e c e iv in g relief:
2 p e r s o n s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _______ _____ _ _ _ _ _ _
3 -4 p e r s o n s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____
5 -6 p e r s o n s ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
____ _
_______________
.
7 or m o re p e r s o n s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ________
_____ _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

6 ,6 6 8 ,8 0 0
1 1 ,17 0 ,40 0
4 ,80 4 , 400
2, 269, 600

22. 7
3 8 .0
1 6 .3
7 .7

2 .0
3 .4
5 .4
8 .1

$ 1 ,1 3 0
1,3 6 0
1,3 7 0
1,23 5

$1, 549
1,864
1,90 5
1, 787

$774
542
355
221

$ 1 0 ,32 9 ,5 3 9
20, 823, 778
9 ,15 1 , 457
4, 05 5,126

2 1 .7
4 3 .6
1 9 .2
8 .5

A l l n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F a m ilie s r e c e iv in g s o m e r e l i e f 1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

24 ,9 13, 200
4 ,4 8 7 ,1 0 0

8 4 .7
1 5 .3

3 .8
4 .5

$ 1 ,2 8 5
685

$1 ,781
740

$463
165

$4 4,359, 900
3, 319, 338

9 3 .0
7. C

29, 400, 300

10 0.0

3 .9

$1, 160

$ 1 ,6 2 2

$411

$47, 679, 238

10 0 .0

A ll fa m ilie s __________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

i F a m ilie s a re c la ss ifie d a s r e c e iv in g r e lie f i f t h e y r e c e iv e d a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i t t l e ) a t a n y ti m e d u r in g y e a r . M a n y s u c h fa m ilie s w e r e d e p e n d e n t o n r e lief
fo r p a r t o f t h e y e a r o n l y , a n d th e n m a y h a v e b e e n o n l y p a r tia lly d e p e n d e n t. T h e in c o m e s o f th e r e lie f g r o u p th e re fo r e in c lu d e e a r n in g s fr o m r e g u lar e m p l o y m e n t a n d o th er n o n 
r e l ie f i n c o m e a s w e ll a s d ir e c t r e lie f, i n c a s h a n d k i n d , a n d w o r k -r elie f e a r n in g s . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee A p p e n d ix A , p . 41.

c o m e p e r fa m ily t o o n ly $ 7 4 0 . T h e i r o m is s io n f r o m t h e
c la s s if ic a ti o n o f fa m ilie s b y s iz e re d u c e s a p p r e c ia b l y t h e
p r o p o r t io n o f fa m ilie s fo u n d i n t h e lo w e r in c o m e le v e ls .
T h e c la s s if ic a tio n o f t h e 2 4 ,9 0 0 ,0 0 0 n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s
i n t o fo u r siz e g ro u p s , s h o w n i n t a b l e 4 , i n d i c a t e s t h a t
m o re t h a n a f o u r t h o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r a r e tw o - p e r s o n
fa m ilie s , a n d m o r e t h a n tw o -f ift h s a r e t h r e e - a n d f o u r p e r s o n fa m ilie s . T h e s e v e n - o r m o r e - p e r s o n fa m ilie s
c o n s t i t u t e t h e s m a lle s t o f t h e f o u r g ro u p s , in c lu d in g
le s s t h a n a t e n t h o f a ll n o n re lie f fa m ilie s . T h e p r o p o r 
tio n s o f fa m ilie s in t h e d if f e r e n t siz e g r o u p s a r e b a s e d o n
t h e s a m p le d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .
T h e y d iffe r f r o m th o s e s h o w n b y c e n s u s c la s s if ic a tio n s
in tw o r e s p e c t s : F i r s t , b e c a u s e r e lie f fa m ilie s a r e o m i tt e d
fr o m t h e b re a k -d o w n , a n d s e c o n d , b e c a u s e t h e d e f in itio n
o f t h e “ e c o n o m ic ” fa m ily u s e d i n t h e s t u d y d iffe rs s o m e 
w h a t fr o m t h e c e n s u s d e f in iti o n o f a fa m ily .*
9* B o t h o f
th e s e d if fe re n c e s t e n d t o re d u c e s l i g h tl y t h e p r o p o r t io n
o f fa m ilie s o f la r g e r siz e. A s t a b l e 4 in d ic a te s , t h e a v e r 
a g e s iz e o f fa m ily f o r t h e r e lie f g r o u p is 4 .5 p e r s o n s a s
c o m p a r e d w it h 3 .8 p e r s o n s f o r t h e n o n re lie f g r o u p , a n d
3 .9 f o r a ll fa m ilie s .
T h e e s s e n ti a l s i m i l a r it y o f t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s
fo r t h e f o u r s iz e s o f f a m ilie s is s h o w n i n c h a r t 13, a n d i n
t h e m o r e d e t a il e d fig u r e s p r e s e n t e d in t a b l e 5. T h e
c h ie f d iffe re n c e a p p e a r s i n t h e r e l a t i v e l y g r e a t e r c o n c e n 
t r a t i o n o f tw o - p e r s o n fa m ilie s i n t h e lo w in c o m e le v e ls .
T h is d iff e re n c e is to b e e x p e c te d , in v ie w o f t h e s m a lle r
u u m b e r o f e a r n e r s in th e s e fa m ilie s a n d t h e s h o r t e r
a v e r a g e p e r io d o f e a r n i n g e x p e rie n c e o n t h e p a r t o f t h e
h e a d o f t h e f a m ily . I f t h e fa m ilie s in e a c h size g ro u p
w e re f u r t h e r c la ss ifie d a c c o r d in g to t h e n u m b e r o f
e a r n e r s a n d t h e a g e o f t h e p r in c ip a l e a r n e r , s ig n ifi c a n t
d if fe re n c e s in in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n w o u ld u n d o u b te d ly b e
re v e a le d . S u c h c la s s ific a tio n , u n f o r t u n a t e l y , w a s n o t
fe a s ib le i n c o n n e c tio n w i t h t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y .
C o m p a r is o n o f t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e s r e c e iv e d b y f a m i 
lie s i n e a c h o f t h e f o u r siz e g ro u p s h a s a lr e a d y b e e n m a d e
9 F o r e x p l a n a t i o n o f t h i s d if fe r e n c e , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 40.

i n c h a r t 9. T h e m e a n in c o m e o f tw o - p e r s o n fa m ilie s —
$ 1 ,5 4 9 — is t h e lo w e s t o f t h e f o u r g r o u p s , b u t t h a t fo r
s e v e n o r m o r e p e r s o n s is n e x t to t h e lo w e s t. T h e l a t t e r
a v e r a g e , i n f a c t , is o n ly s l i g h tl y a b o v e $ 1 ,7 8 1 , t h e m e a n
in c o m e f o r a ll s iz e s o f fa m ily c o m b in e d . T h is r e s u l t,
a s a lr e a d y i n p a r t e x p la in e d , m a y b e a c c o u n te d f o r b y
t h e f a c t t h a t f u lly h a l f o f t h e n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s o f s e v e n
o r m o r e p e r s o n s a r e f a r m fa m ilie s , a n d m o r e t h a n h a l f
a r e f a m ilie s l iv in g i n t h e S o u t h . 10 S in c e f a r m in c o m e s a r e
r e l a t i v e l y lo w — a n d a ls o in c o m e s i n t h e S o u th e r n
S t a t e s — t h e m e a n in c o m e f o r a ll f a m ilie s o f s e v e n o r
m o re p e r s o n s is lo w e re d .
S e e ta b le 31B .

IN C O M E

D IS T R IB U T IO N S

F A M IL IE S

OF

OF

FO UR

N O N R E L IE F
S IZ E S

1 9 3 5 -3 6

IN C O M E
LEVEL

UN DER

$ 5 0 0

$ 5 0 0

-

1 ,0 0 0

$

1 ,0 0 0

-

1 ,5 0 0

$

1 ,5 0 0 -2 ,0 0 0

$ 2 ,0 0 0

- 2 ,5 0 0

$ 2 ,5 0 0 -3 ,0 0 0

$ 3 ,0 0 0

- 4 ,0 0 0

$ 4 ,0 0 0 -5 ,0 0 0

$ 5 ,0 0 0

a OVER

0

10

20

3 0

0

10

2 0

3 0

PERCENT

BASED

ON

TABLE

5

Cha r t 13

0
OF

10

F A M IL IE S

2 0

3 0

0

10

2 0

3 0

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

22

Ta bl e 5.—

,lis tr ib u tio n s o f n o n r e lie f f a m i l i e s 1 o f f o u r

P e r c e n ta g e

s iz e s , b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

F a m ilie s of—
A l l fa m i
lie s

I n c o m e le v e l

2 p e rs on s

3 -4
p e rso n s

5 -6
p e rs on s

7 o r m o re
p e rs on s

$2 50-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 50 -$ l,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,000-$1,250._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2 .8
7 .8
1 1 .3
13 .4
1 3 .2

5 .1
1 0 .7
1 2 .8
1 4 .2
1 3 .6

2 .1
6 .8
1 0 .4
1 2 .7
1 3 .2

1 .7
6 .3
1 0 .4
1 3 .5
1 2 .7

1 .9
7 .9
1 3 .2
1 4 .8
1 2 .9

$1,250-$1,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,500-$1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,750-$2,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2,000-$2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2,250-$2,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 0 .8
9 .1
7 .3
5 .5
4 .0

1 0 .1
8 .2
6 .3
4 .7
3 .5

1 1 .1
9 .6
8 .0
5 .8
4 .4

1 1 .2
9 .1
7 .7
5 .9
4 .3

1 0 .7
8 .7
6 .3
5 .0
guO

$2,500-83,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$8 ,0 00-$ 3,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,5C 0-$4,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,0 00-$ 4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,5 00-8 5,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5 .2
3 .0
1 .8
1 .0
.6

3 .8
2 .2
1 .2
.7
.5

5 .8
3 .2
1 .9
1 .0
.6

5 .9
3 .4
2 .2
1 .4
.7

5 .3
3 .0
1 .7
1 .1
.8

$5,000-$7,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7 ,5 00-$10,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$10,000 a n d o v e r ____ _______

1 .3
.8
1 .1

.9
.6
.9

1 .4
.8
1 .2

1 .6
.8
1 .2

1 .4
.5
1 .3

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

A ll l e v e l s . .........................

l E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r litt le ) a t a n y
ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 41.

F o r n o n e o f t h e f o u r s iz e s o f fa m ily d o e s t h e m e a n
in c o m e v a r y w id e ly f r o m t h e m e a n f o r a ll n o n re lie f
f a m ilie s c o m b in e d . T h e m e d ia n in c o m e s s h o w e v e n
le s s v a r i a t i o n , r a n g i n g f r o m $ 1 ,1 3 0 f o r tw o - p e r s o n
f a m ilie s t o $ 1 ,3 7 0 fo r fiv e - a n d s ix - p e rs o n fa m ilie s .
R e g i o n a l D i f f e r e n c e s in F a m i l y In c o m e s

T h e d if f e r e n t s e c ti o n s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a r e so
d iv e r s e i n t h e i r a g r ic u lt u r a l a n d i n d u s t r i a l c h a r a c t e r 
is tic s t h a t s ig n if ic a n t d iffe re n c e s i n in c o m e p a t t e r n s a re
n o t s u r p r is in g . S o m e o f th e s e d if fe re n c e s , s u c h a s t h e
p r e v a i li n g d i s p a r i t y b e tw e e n in c o m e s i n t h e S o u th a n d
i n o t h e r re g io n s , h a v e lo n g b e e n c o m m o n k n o w le d g e .
R e c e n t G o v e r n m e n t p o lic ie s d ir e c te d to w a r d t h e c o n 
s e r v a ti o n o f n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s a n d t h e r e h a b i l i t a t i o n o f
d e p r e s s e d a r e a s h a v e a ls o f o c u s e d a t t e n t i o n o n t h e
e x c e e d in g ly lo w e c o n o m ic s t a t u s o f c o n s u m e r g r o u p s in
p a r t i c u l a r p r o b le m a re a s . B u t n o l a r g e b o d y o f c o m 
p a r a b l e d a t a h a s b e e n a v a ila b le fo r c o m p a r is o n o f
f a m ily in c o m e s i n d if f e r e n t g e o g ra p h ic re g io n s .

Ta bl e 6.—

A v e r a g e in c o m e s o f f a m ilie s i n f iv e g e o g r a p h ic r e g io n s ,
based

on

s a m p le

d a ta ,1 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

A v e ra g e in c o m e p e r fa m ily
G e o g r a p h ic reg ion

A l l fa m ilie s
N e w E n g la n d ....... ............
N o r th C e n tr a l..................
S o u th _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
M o u n t a in a n d P la i n s _ _ _
P a c ific ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

M ean

M e d ia n

$1, 230
1,26 0
905
1 ,04 0
1,3 3 5

N o n r e l ie f
fa m ilie s 2
$ 1 ,3 65
1,41 0
985
1 ,22 0
1,48 5

A l l fa m ilie s
$ 1 ,8 1 0
1 ,78 6
1,3 2 6
1,3 6 3
1,7 7 5

N o n r e l ie f
fa m il ie s 2
$2,011
1,97 3
1,43 1
1,53 7
1,93 7

1 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s in c l u d e d in s a m p le , s ee c h a r t 10. F o r d is c u s s io n o f
lim i ta t io n s o f th e re g io n a l c o m p a ris o n , s e e p p . 18 ,2 2-23 . 56, a n d 57.
2 T h e n o n re lie f g r o u p e x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w 
e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 42.

T h e e s t im a t e s p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s r e p o r t t h r o w s o m e
l i g h t o n th e s e re g io n a l v a r ia t io n s . B u t , a s h a s a lr e a d y
b e e n e m p h a s iz e d , t h e s a m p le c o m m u n itie s i n th e
v a r io u s re g io n s w e r e to o fe w in n u m b e r a n d to o p o o rly
d is t r i b u t e d t o in s u r e fin d in g s a d e q u a t e ly r e p r e s e n t a 

t i v e o f a ll o f t h e p o p u la t io n liv in g i n e a c h re g io n . T h e
r e s u l t s s h o w n i n t h i s s e c tio n o f t h e r e p o r t a r e th e r e f o r e
l i m i t e d t o t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e s o f t h e fa m ilie s in e a c h
re g io n . T h e s e fig u r e s a p p e a r i n t a b l e 6 . T h e d i s t r i b u 
t io n s o f t h e f a m ilie s b y in c o m e le v e l a r e in c lu d e d i n t h e
m o r e t e n t a t i v e m a t e r i a l s h o w n i n A p p e n d ix B .
I n o b t a in i n g th e s e a v e r a g e s t h e c o m m u n itie s c o v e re d
in th e S tu d y of C o n su m e r P u rc h a se s w ere g ro u p e d
a c c o r d in g to t h e fiv e g e o g ra p h ic re g io n s s h o w n o n th e
m a p i n c h a r t 10. T h e s e re g io n s d if fe r w id e ly i n a r e a ,
a n d a ls o i n t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s liv in g w it h i n t h e i r
b o u n d a r ie s . E a c h r e g io n w a s r e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e s a m p le
d a t a b y f r o m 7 to 12 c itie s , f r o m 14 to 4G v illa g e s , a n d
f r o m 2 t o 2 2 f a r m c o u n ti e s .11 T h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s
c o v e re d b y t h e s a m p le i n r e l a t i o n to t h e t o t a l n u m b e r
i n t h e r e g io n w a s h ig h e s t i n t h e t h r e e re g io n s w it h
r e l a t i v e l y s m a ll p o p u la t io n s — t h e P a c ific , t h e M o u n t a i n
a n d P la in s , a n d N e w E n g l a n d R e g io n s , a n d lo w e s t in
t h e tw o h e a v ily p o p u la t e d re g io n s — t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l
a n d t h e S o u th . I n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e u s u a l p ro c e 
d u r e fo llo w e d i n t h e s t u d y i n c o m b in in g s a m p le d a t a ,
t h e fig u re s f o r t h e v a r io u s c o m m u n itie s i n e a c h re g io n
w e re w e ig h te d a c c o r d in g to t h e r e l a t i v e i m p o r ta n c e o f
e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n ity , e a c h siz e o f f a m ily , a n d e a c h
c o l o r - n a ti v it y g r o u p i n t h e t o t a l f a m ily p o p u la t io n in
t h e re g io n . T h e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r e a c h r e g io n w a s t h e n
c o r r e c te d b y in c o m e t a x d a t a . 112
T h e r e l a t i v e e c o n o m ic s t a t u s o f t h e fa m ilie s i n th e s e
fiv e r e g io n a l s a m p le s , a s m e a s u r e d b y t h e in c o m e r e 
c e iv e d b y t h e a v e r a g e f a m ily , is s h o w n f ir s t i n t a b l e
6 fo r r e lie f a n d n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s c o m b in e d . A c c o rd in g
to t h i s c o m p a r is o n , t h e fa m ilie s i n t h e N e w E n g l a n d
R e g io n , w i t h a m e a n in c o m e o f $ 1 ,8 1 0 , f a r e d s lig h tly
b e t t e r — i n t e r m s o f d o lla r in c o m e — t h a n t h e fa m ilie s
in o t h e r re g io n s . T h e fa m ilie s in t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l
a n d i n t h e P a c ific R e g io n s c a m e n e x t in o r d e r , w ith
m e a n in c o m e s o f $ 1 ,7 8 6 a n d $ 1 ,7 7 5 , r e s p e c tiv e ly .
T h e a v e r a g e s f o r t h e M o u n t a i n a n d P la i n s R e g io n a n d
f o r t h e s a m p le c o v e re d in t h e S o u th w e re c o n s id e r a b ly
lo w e r, a m o u n t in g to $ 1 ,3 6 3 a n d $ 1 ,3 2 6 .
I t m u s t b e r e m e m b e r e d in i n t e r p r e t i n g th e s e d iffe r
e n c e s t h a t t h e a v e r a g e s a r e a ff e c te d b y t h e c o n c e n t r a 
tio n o f v e r y h ig h in c o m e s a m o n g fa m ilie s liv in g i n la r g e
c itie s , a n d t h a t th e s e fa m ilie s a r e r e l a t i v e l y m o re n u m e r 
o u s i n t h e N e w E n g l a n d , N o r t h C e n t r a l , a n d P a c ific
S ta t e s . I t m u s t a ls o b e b o r n e in m in d t h a t t h e a v e ra g e s
f o r t h e S o u th , a n d fo r t h e M o u n t a i n a n d P la i n s R e g io n
a s w e ll, a r e w e ig h te d b y a r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e p r o p o r t io n o f
f a r m fa m ilie s .13 F u r t h e r m o r e , i t s h o u ld b e r e c a lle d
11 F o r l i s t o f s a m p le c o m m u n i tie s , s e e ta b le 1 A a n d A p p e n d i x A , p p . 46 -4 7 .
12 F o r c o m p a r iso n o f n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s in th e p o p u la tio n a n d n u m b e r i n th e s a m p le
in e a c h r e g io n , s e e ta b le 10A . F o r c o m p a r is o n o f to t a l i n c o m e r e c e iv e d b y a l l c o n 
s u m e r s i n e a c h r e g io n (in c lu d in g s in g le in d iv id u a ls a n d in s titu t io n a l r e s id e n ts ) w it h
r e g io n a l i n c o m e e s t im a te s p r ep a re d b y th e N a t io n a l I n d u s tr ia l C o n fe r en c e B o a r d ,
s e e p . 36.
13 F o r n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s li v i n g in e a c h ty p e o f c o m m u n it y w i t h in e a c h region,,
s ee ta b le 10A .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

23

t h a t c o s ts o f liv in g d iffe r f r o m o n e p a r t o f t h e c o u n tr y
to a n o t h e r , a n d a ls o t h a t t h e c o m p a ri s o n is f o r a p a r 

T h e e s t im a t e s a v a ila b le f o r th e s e r u r a l - u r b a n c o m 
p a r is o n s r e l a t e o n ly to n o n re lie f fa m ilie s , a n d h e n c e d o

t i c u l a r 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d i n 1935 a n d 1 93 6 .
A ny
a b n o r m a l c o n d it io n s d u r in g t h a t p e r io d , s u c h a s t h e
d r o u g h t a n d w h e a t r u s t in t h e M o u n t a i n a n d P la in s
a r e a , a r e re fle c te d i n t h e e s tim a te s .
T h e m e d ia n fa m ily in c o m e s i n t h e fiv e re g io n a l
s a m p le s a ls o a p p e a r i n t a b l e 6 . T h e y r u n c o n s id e r a b ly
lo w e r t h a n t h e m e a n in c o m e s a n d s h o w a s o m e w h a t d if 
f e r e n t o r d e r o f r a n k in g . T h e h ig h e s t m e d ia n in c o m e ,
o f $ 1 ,3 3 5 , w a s f o u n d in t h e P a c ific R e g io n , a n d th e

n o t t e l l t h e c o m p le te s t o r y o f h o w fa m ily in c o m e s d iffe r
f r o m o n e t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y to a n o t h e r . I f t h e 4 %
m illio n fa m ilie s t h a t r e c e iv e d re lie f h a d b e e n in c lu d e d
i n t h e e s tim a te s , t h e p r o p o r t io n o f f a m ilie s in t h e lo w e r
in c o m e i n t e r v a l s w o u ld h a v e b e e n a p p r e c ia b l y g r e a t e r ,
a n d t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e p e r fa m ily a p p r e c ia b l y lo w e r.
E x c e p t i n t h e c a s e o f f a r m fa m ilie s , h o w e v e r, t h e r e l a 
t iv e p o s itio n o f t h e d if f e r e n t t y p e s ,o f c o m m u n i t y w o u ld
h a v e b e e n l i t t l e a lt e r e d , f o r t h e p r o p o r t io n o f fa m ilie s
re c e iv in g r e lie f a t s o m e tim e d u r in g t h e y e a r s h o w e d
l i t t l e v a r i a t i o n w it h siz e o f c o m m u n ity . T h e h ig h e s t
p r o p o r t io n w a s f o u n d i n t h e r u r a l n o n f a r m a r e a s , w h e r e
19 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv e d s o m e re lie f , a n d t h e
lo w e s t p r o p o r t io n (e x c e p t f o r f a r m s ) i n m e tr o p o lis e s o f
1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p u la t io n a n d o v e r, w h e re a b o u t 15 p e r c e n t
re c e iv e d re lie f. T h e p e r c e n ta g e f o r f a r m f a m ilie s w a s
d i s t i n c t l y lo w e r, a v e r a g in g 9 p e r c e n t f o r a ll o f t h e f a r m
c o u n ti e s s a m p le d . H e n c e t h e in c lu s io n o f t h e r e lie f
g r o u p i n t h e e s t im a t e s w o u ld h a v e h a d r e l a t i v e l y le s s
e ffe c t o n t h e fig u r e s f o r f a r m in c o m e s .15
T h e d iv is io n o f t h e 25 m illio n n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s
a m o n g t h e s ix t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y c o n s id e r e d i n t h e
s t u d y a p p e a r s i n t a b l e 7. M o r e t h a n 6 m illio n , o r
o n e - f o u r t h o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r , w e re f a r m fa m ilie s ,
a n d a b o u t 4K m illio n w e re r u r a l f a m ilie s liv in g i n c o m 
m u n it i e s o f le s s t h a n 2 ,5 0 0 p o p u la t io n o r i n t h e o p e n
c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa rm s . O f t h e 14 m illi o n u r b a n
fa m ilie s , n e a r l y 3 m illio n liv e d i n t h e f o u r g r e a t m e 
tro p o lis e s i n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e g io n — N e w Y o r k ,
C h ic a g o , P h ila d e lp h ia , a n d D e t r o i t . O v e r 4 / m illio n
liv e d i n la r g e c it ie s o f 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 to 1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p u la t io n
i n v a r io u s s e c ti o n s o f t h e c o u n tr y , a b o u t 2 % m illi o n in
m id d le -s iz e d c itie s , a n d t h e r e m a in in g 4 m il li o n i n s m a ll
c it ie s o r to w n s o f 2 ,5 0 0 t o 2 5 ,0 0 0 p o p u la tio n .

lo w e s t, o f $ 9 0 5 , i n t h e S o u th . N e w E n g l a n d w a s in
a m id d le p o s itio n w i t h a m e d ia n f a m ily in c o m e o f
$ 1 ,2 3 0 .
W h e n a ll fa m ilie s t h a t r e c e iv e d r e lie f a t s o m e tim e
d u r in g t h e y e a r a r e e x c lu d e d f r o m t h e e s tim a te s , t h e
a v e r a g e in c o m e s a re , o f c o u rs e , a p p r e c ia b l y h ig h e r .
A s t a b l e 6 i n d ic a te s , t h e p e r c e n t o f in c r e a s e , f o r b o t h
t h e m e d ia n a n d t h e m e a n in c o m e s , is a p p r o x im a t e ly
t h e s a m e i n a ll o f t h e re g io n s — i n t h e n e ig h b o r h o o d o f 10
p e r c e n t. T h e fig u r e s f o r t h e M o u n t a i n a n d P la in s
R e g io n s h o w a s lig h tly h ig h e r p r o p o r t i o n a t e in c re a s e ,
a n d th o s e f o r t h e S o u t h a s l i g h tl y s m a lle r o n e . T h e s e
d iffe re n c e s c o r r e s p o n d w i t h t h e s l i g h t d iffe re n c e s i n t h e
p e r c e n ta g e o f fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g r e lie f i n t h e fiv e re g io n s .
I n t h e M o u n t a i n a n d P la i n s R e g io n , 2 0 p e r c e n t o f a ll
f a m ilie s a r e in c lu d e d in t h e r e lie f g r o u p , a n d i n t h e
S o u th , a l i t t l e le s s t h a n 14 p e r c e n t. T h e p r o p o r t io n s
f o r t h e o t h e r re g io n s fa ll b e tw e e n th e s e tw o fi g u r e s .14
R u r a l - U r b a n D i f f e r e n c e s in F a m i l y In c o m e s

T h e c o n t r a s t b e tw e e n t h e in c o m e s o f r u r a l fa m ilie s
a n d o f th o s e liv in g i n c it ie s o f d if f e r e n t s iz e h a s a lr e a d y
b e e n i n d i c a t e d b y t h e fig u r e s p r e s e n t e d i n c h a r t 7 .
T h e s e d iffe re n c e s a r e s h o w n in f u lle r d e t a il i n t h e n e x t
g r o u p o f c h a r t s a n d ta b le s .

15 F o r p e rc e n ta g e o f r e lie f fa m ilie s in e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n it y in e a c h r e g io n , s e e
ta b le 9 A .

14 F o r p e rc e n ta g e o f r e l ie f fa m ilie s i n e a c h r e g io n , s e e ta b le 9 A .

F o r so u r c e s o f e s tim a t e s , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 73 -74.

Table 7.

— A v e r a g e a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f f a m i l i e s

1 in

s ix ty p e s o f c o m m u n ity

F a m i lie s

A v e ra g e
num ber

,

1 9 3 5 -8 6

A v e ra g e in c o m e
p er fa m ily

A g g r e g a te in c o m e

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y
N u m ber

M e t r o p o li s e s :2
1,500,000 p o p u la t io n a n d o v e r _ _ ------- --------------------------------------------------------- L a r g e c itie s :
100,000 to 1,500,000 p o p u la tio n
------------- -------------- -------- ----------- -------------------M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
25,000 t o 100,000 p o p u l a t io n ------------ ---------- ---------------------------- -------- -------------------S m a ll c itie s :
2,500 to 25,000 p o p u la t io n ._ -------- ------ - --------- ---------------. --------------------A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s .
R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n it ie s 3

P er c e n t

per
fa m ily

M e d ia n

M ean

A m ount
(in th o u s a n d s )

P ercen t

2 ,8 0 6 ,9 0 0

1 1 .3

3 .5

$ 1 ,7 3 0

$ 2 ,7 04

$7, 59 1,014

1 7 .1

4, 666, 700

1 8 .7

3 .5

1, 560

2,17 7

10,161, 241

2 2 .9

2 ,6 0 7 ,6 0 0

1 0 .4

3 .7

1 ,36 0

1,81 3

4 ,7 2 8 ,1 6 1

1 0 .7

4 ,0 7 9 ,7 0 0

1 6 .4

3 .7

1, 290

1,65 3

6 ,7 4 4 ,8 1 3

1 5 .2

-----

1 4 ,1 6 0 ,90 0

5 6 .8

3 .6

$1,475

$ 2 ,0 64

$29, 225, 229

6 5 .9

----------- -------- - - ----- ----------------------- - ---------------------------

4, 585, 700
6,16 6 , 600

1 8 .4
2 4 .8

3 .7
4 .5

$1, 210
965

$1, 607
1,259

$7, 371,101
7, 763, 570

1 6 .6
1 7 .5

------------------

------------------------

-------

--------

A l l r u r a l c o m m u n it ie s -------------------------------------------------------- ------ ---------------------

1 0 ,7 5 2 ,30 0

43. 2

4 .2

$ 1 ,0 70

$ 1 ,4 0 8

$ 1 5,134 , 671

3 4 .1

A 11 c o m m u n it ie s -------------------------------------------- - ----- ------- ---------- -----------------------

24 ,9 13, 200

10 0 .0

3 .8

$1, 285

$1, 781

$44,359, 900

1 0 0 .0

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r ec e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i tt l e ) a t a n y t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee A p p e n d ix A , p . 42.
2 M etr o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e are i n N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n o n l y ( N e w Y o r k , C h ic a g o , P h il a d e lp h ia , a n d D e tr o it) .
2 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l i v i n g i n c o m m u n it ie s w i t h p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s l iv i n g in t h e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s .

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

24
A s t a b l e 7 s h o w s , t h e f a m ilie s i n la r g e c it ie s a n d in
t h e m e tr o p o lis e s re c e iv e d s o m e w h a t l a r g e r s h a r e s of
t h e t o t a l f a m ily in c o m e i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e i r n u m b e r s in
t h e p o p u la t io n , a n d h a d t h e h ig h e s t a v e r a g e income*?
p e r f a m ily . F a r m f a m ilie s re c e iv e d a s m a lle r r e l a t i v e
s h a r e o f t h e a g g r e g a te , a n d h a d t h e lo w e s t a v e ra g e
in c o m e .
AVERAGE

IN C O M E S

IN

S IX

O F N O N R E L IE F

TYPES

OF

F A M IL IE S

C O M M U N IT Y

1 9 3 5 -3 6
M E D IA N

M EAN

IN C O M E

IN C O M E

FAR M S

R U R A L

NONFARM

UNDER

S M A LL
2 ,5 0 0

2 .S O O

C IT IE S
- 2 5 ,0 0 0

p e r s i o n t h r o u g h t h e m id d le in c o m e ra n g e s , a n d t h a t
f o r m e tro p o lis e s s h o w s a d i s t i n c t l y l a r g e r p r o p o r t io n
o f fa m ilie s i n t h e h ig h e r le v e ls . S e v e n p e r c e n t o f t h e
m e t r o p o l it a n fa m ilie s re c e iv e d in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d
o v e r, a s c o m p a r e d w i t h a l i t t l e o v e r 1 p e r c e n t o f f a r m
fa m ilie s . T h e p r o p o r t io n o f n o n re lie f f a m ilie s i n t h e
s e v e r a l t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l a r e
c o m p a r e d in ta b l e 8 w it h t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f a ll n o n 
re lie f f a m ilie s a t t h e s a m e le v e ls .
T h e d is c u s s io n o f v a r i a t i o n i n r e a l in c o m e s i n a p r e 
c e d in g s e c ti o n o f t h e r e p o r t h a s e m p h a s iz e d t h e l i m i t a 
t io n s o f th e s e d o lla r fig u r e s a s a m e a s u r e o f t h e a c t u a l
d if fe re n c e s i n e c o n o m ic s t a t u s b e tw e e n r u r a l a n d u r b a n
f a m ilie s .16 T h e p o i n ts m e n tio n e d in t h a t d is c u s s io n
n e e d n o t b e r e p e a t e d h e r e . H o w e v e r, s o m e f u r t h e r
c o m m e n t is r e q u i r e d r e g a r d i n g t h e c o v e ra g e o f t h e
s a m p le d a t a o n w h ic h t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r e a c h
ty p e o f c o m m u n ity w e re b ased .
I n c h o o s in g t h e c o m m u n itie s to b e in c lu d e d in t h e
S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s a n a t t e m p t w a s m a d e to
16 S e e p p . 11-12.

M ID D L E

S IZ E D

2 5 ,0 0 0

-

C IT IE S

1 0 0 ,0 0 0

IN C O M E
LAR G E

D IS T R IB U T IO N S
IN

C IT IE S ,

1 0 0 ,0 0 0

-

TYPES

a

OF

N O N R E L IE F

OF

C O M M U N IT Y

F A M IL IE S

1 9 3 5 -3 6

1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0 .

M E T R O P O L IS E S
1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0

S IX

LA RG E

M E T R O P O L IS E S

IN C O M E

( 1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0

a

C IT IE S

M ID D L E

(1 0 0 ,0 0 0 - 1 , 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 ) '

OVER)

S IZ E D

UNDER

EACH DISC REPRESENTS $500 OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR
BASED ON TABLE 7

Cha r t 14
T h e m e a n a n d t h e m e d ia n fa m ily in c o m e s f o r t h e f o u r
s iz e s o f c itie s a n d f o r t h e tw o t y p e s o f r u r a l c o m m u n i t y
a r e c o m p a r e d g r a p h i c a l ly i n c h a r t 14. B o t h s e t s o f
a v e r a g e s s h o w t h e p ro g r e s s iv e r is e i n in c o m e le v e l w it h
in c r e a s in g u r b a n i z a t io n . T h e m e d ia n in c o m e s , r a n g in g
f r o m $ 9 6 5 f o r f a r m s t o $ 1 ,7 3 0 f o r m e tro p o lis e s , v a r y le ss
w id e ly t h a n d o t h e m e a n s , s in c e t h e y a r e le s s a ff e c te d b y
t h e v e r y h ig h in c o m e s o f t h e f a m ilie s a t t h e t o p o f t h e
in c o m e s c a le . F o r f a r m f a m ilie s t h e m e a n in c o m e w a s
$ 1 ,2 5 9 , b u t f o r fa m ilie s liv in g i n m e tro p o lis e s , w h e re th e
r a n g e o f in c o m e s is w id e s t, i t r e a c h e d t h e s t r i k i n g l y h ig h
fig u r e o f $ 2 ,7 0 4 . T h e m e d ia n in c o m e f o r a ll u r b a n
n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s w a s $ 1 ,4 7 5 a s c o m p a r e d w i t h $ 1 ,0 7 0
f o r r u r a l f a m i l ie s ; t h e c o r r e s p o n d in g m e a n in c o m e s w e re
$ 2 ,0 6 4 a n d $ 1 ,4 0 8 .
C h a r t 15 b e a r s o u t t h e s t o r y to ld b y t h e a v e ra g e s
a s t o t h e r e l a t i v e in c o m e s t a t u s o f fa m ilie s i n t h e six
t y p e s o f c o m m u n ity . F a r m fa m ilie s a r e c o n s p ic u 
o u s ly m a s s e d in t h e lo w e r in c o m e le v e ls — 52 p e r c e n t
fa llin g b e lo w $ 1 ,0 0 0 . R u r a l n o n f a r m fa m ilie s a n d
fa m ilie s liv in g i n s m a ll c itie s a r e m o s t n u m e r o u s i n th e
in c o m e c la s s e s b e tw e e n $ 5 0 0 a n d $ 1 ,5 0 0 . T h e d i s t r i b u 
t io n s fo r m id d le -s iz e d a n d la r g e c itie s s h o w m o r e d is 

$

$ 5 0 0

5 0 0 * 1 ,0 0 0

$

1 ,0 0 0 * 1 ,5 0 0

$

1 ,5 0 0 -2 ,0 0 0

$

2 ,0 0 0 -2 ,5 0 0

$

2 ,5 0 0 -3 ,0 0 0

$

3 ,0 0 0 -4 ,0 0 0

$ 4 ,0 0 0 - 5 .0 0 0

$ 5 ,0 0 0 a OVER

0

10
PERCENT

SM ALL

IN C O M E

$

$

RURAL

$ 5 0 0

5 0 0 - 1 ,0 0 0

1 ,0 0 0 -1 ,5 0 0

$

1 ,5 0 0 - 2 0 0 0

$

2 ,0 0 0 * 2 ,5 0 0

$

2 ,5 0 0 -3 ,0 0 0

$

3 ,0 0 0 -4 ,0 0 0

$

5 , 0 0 0 a OVER

0

BASEB

ON

TABLE

10

F A M IL IE S

NONFARM

( 2 , 5 0 0 - 2 5 ,0 0 0 )

LEVEL
UNDER

C IT IE S

20
OF

20

8

Cha r t 15

C IT IE S

( 2 5 ,0 0 0 - 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 )

LE V E L

OVER

0

10

20

C on su m e r In c o m e s

25

a v o id c o m m u n itie s t h a t w e r e s a t e l l it e s o f l a r g e r c itie s
a n d d id n o t r e p r e s e n t d i s t i n c t d e g re e s o f u r b a n i z a t i o n
in th e m s e lv e s .17 A c c o rd in g ly , n o s u b u r b a n v illa g e s o r
c itie s w e r e in c lu d e d i n t h e s a m p le . A s a r e s u l t, t h e
in c o m e fig u r e s f o r r u r a l - n o n f a r m c o m m u n itie s a n d fo r
s m a ll c it ie s a r e p o s s ib ly s o m e w h a t lo w e r t h a n t h e y
s h o u ld b e.

Ta bl e 8.—

P e r c e n ta g e

d is tr ib u tio n s

ty p e s o f c o m m u n ity

,

o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

1

in

s ix

l a t i o n t h a n f o r u r b a n fa m ilie s , a n d le s s a d e q u a t e f o r
s m a ll c it ie s t h a n f o r th o s e o f la r g e r s iz e .19 A lt h o u g h
t h e s a m p le in c lu d e d o n ly 2 0 c itie s o f 2 5 ,0 0 0 p o p u la tio n
a n d o v e r, a s c o m p a r e d w it h 22 s m a ll c it ie s , 140 v illa g e s
a n d 56 f a r m c o u n tie s ,20 t h e g r e a t e r n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s
a v a ila b le f o r s a m p lin g in t h e l a r g e r c o m m u n itie s r e 
s u lte d in a h ig h e r r a t i o o f n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s i n t h e
s a m p le to t h e t o t a l n u m b e r i n t h e p o p u la tio n .

b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 8 5 - 8 6

O c c u p a t i o n a l D i f f e r e n c e s in F a m i l y In c o m e s
F a m ilie s l iv i n g in —

I n c o m e le v e l

A ll
fa m ilie s

M etro p 
L a rg e
o lis e s ,2
c itie s ,
1,500,000 100,000
p o p u la 
to
tio n
1,500,000
and
p o p u la 
tio n
o ver

M id d le s iz ed
c itie s ,
25.000
to
100.000
p o p u la 
tio n

D iffe re n c e s in fa m ily in c o m e s a m o n g t h e v a r io u s
o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s a r e c o n s id e r a b ly m o r e p ro n o u n c e d

R u ral co m 
m u n i tie s

U r b a n c o m m u n it ie s

S m a ll
c itie s ,
2,500
to
25,000
p o p u la 
tio n

N on
fa r m 3

F a rm

U n d e r $250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$250-$500_________
$500-$7i>0_________
$750-$1,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 ,0 00-$ 1,250______

2 .8
7 .8
11 .3
1 3 .4
1 3 .2

1 .7
2 .8
5 .2
8 .5
1 0 .9

2 .0
4 .4
7 .6
1 0 .5
1 2 .4

2 .4
5 .5
9 .4
1 3 .6
1 3 .9

3 .1
6 .3
1 0 .3
1 3 .9
1 4 .6

3 .0
8 .9
1 1 .8
1 4 .4
1 4 .0

3 .8
1 3 .9
1 8 .0
1 6 .6
1 2 .8

$1 ,2 5 0 -$ 1 ,50 0______
$1,.500-$1,750______
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 ______
$2 ,0 0 0 -$ 2 ,25 0______
$ 2 ,2 5 0 -$ 2 ,50 0 ______

1 0 .8
9 .1
7 .3
5 .5
4 .0

1 1 .0
1 0 .8
9 .7
7 .9
5 .8

1 0 .6
1 0 .0
9 .0
6 .9
5 .5

1 1 .6
9 .7
8 .5
6 .1
4 .5

1 1 .1
9 .4
7 .8
5 .8
4 .0

1 1 .6
9 .1
6. 5
5 .1
3 .4

9 .8
7 .0
4 .8
3 .1
2 .5

$ 2 ,50 0 -$ 3 ,00 0______
$ 3 ,000-$ 3,500______
$ 3 ,500-$ 4,000______
$ 4 ,0 0 0 -$ 4 ,50 0______
$4 ,5 00-$ S ,0 00______

5 .2
3 .0
1 .8
1 .0
.6

8 .5
4 .7
2 .9
1 .7
.9

7 .1
4 .2
2 .7
1 .6
.9

5 .4
3 .1
1 .7
1 .0
.7

5 .3
3 .1
1 .7
.8
.5

4 .4
2 .3
1 .3
.8
.6

2 .9
1 .6
1 .0
.5
.3

45 ,0 0 0 -$ 7 ,50 0______
$7,5 0 0 -$ 1 0 ,00 0_____
$10,000 a n d o v e r ___

1 .3
.8
1 .1

2 .1
1 .6
3 .3

1 .8
1 .1
1 .7

1 .3
.6
1 .0

1 .1
.6
.6

1 .4
.6
.8

.6
.4
.4

A l l l e v e l s ____

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 42.
2 M e tr o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e a r e in N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n o n l y ( N e w Y o r k , C h ica g o ,
P h il a d e lp h ia , a n d D e tr o it) .
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g i n c o m m u n i tie s w i t h p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s
l i v i n g i n t h e o p e n c o u n t r y b u t n o t o n farm s.

S im ila rl y , th e f a r m a r e a s s a m p le d i n t h e S t u d y o f
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s w e r e c h o s e n t o r e p r e s e n t t h e m o re
i m p o r t a n t t y p e s o f f a r m in g , a n d c a n n o t b e c o n s i d e r e d
a r a n d o m s a m p le a d e q u a t e l y r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f a ll f a r m
a r e a s . T h e s a m p le a r e a s i n t h e S o u th , p a r t i c u l a r l y ,
a f f o r d e d a p o o r b a s is f o r e s t i m a t i n g f a r m in c o m e s in
t h a t re g io n . I n e x te n d in g t h e s a m p le d a t a t o t h e
S o u t h e r n f a r m p o p u la t io n , u s e w a s m a d e o f in f o r m a ti o n
o n f a r m in c o m e s i n S o u th e r n S t a t e s o b t a in e d f r o m
v a r io u s s o u r c e s , a s a b a s is f o r w e ig h tin g t h e d i s t r i b u 
tio n s s h o w n b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .18
B u t t h e fin a l e s t im a t e s f o r f a r m f a m ilie s i n t h e S o u th
a r e c o n s i d e r e d d i s t i n c t l y le s s re lia b le t h a n th o s e fo r
o t h e r s e c ti o n s o f t h e c o u n tr y .
I n g e n e r a l, t h e c o v e ra g e o f t h e s a m p le d a t a is le s s
a d e q u a te fo r b o th th e fa rm a n d th e ru ra l-n o n fa rm p o p u n T h e b a s i s o f c h o ic e o f c o m m u n i tie s w a s d e te r m in e d b y th e m a jo r p u r p o s e o f th e
s tu d y — th e a n a ly s is o f v a r ia tio n s in fa m ily e x p e n d itu r e a m o n g d iffe r en t g r o u p s o f th e

p o p u la t io n .
13 F o r e x p la n a t io n o f th i s p r oc e d u r e, s e e A p p e n d ix A , p p . 54 a n d 57.
7 2 7 3 6 ° — 3 8 ------ 3

t h a n t h e fa m ily -s iz e , re g io n a l, a n d ty p e - o f - c o m m u n ity
d if fe re n c e s a lr e a d y d is c u s s e d .
T h e o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p i n t o w h ic h a fa m ily w a s
p la c e d fo r p u r p o s e s o f t h i s s t u d y w a s d e t e r m i n e d b y
t h e o c c u p a tio n f r o m w h ic h t h e l a r g e s t a m o u n t o f a ll
fa m ily e a r n in g s w a s d e r iv e d , r a t h e r t h a n b y t h e o c c u 
p a t i o n o f t h e p r in c ip a l e a r n e r . I n c o m e r e c e iv e d fr o m
i n v e s t m e n t s a n d p r o p e r t y o r f r o m o t h e r s o u r c e s d id
n o t a ff e c t t h i s c la s s ific a tio n , a lt h o u g h s u c h in c o m e
w a s , o f c o u rs e , in c lu d e d i n t h e t o t a l in c o m e d e te r m in in g
t h e in c o m e le v e l to w h ic h t h e fa m ily b e lo n g e d . T h e
d e f in iti o n s o f t h e m a j o r o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s c o n fo r m
w it h th o s e u s e d in t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s ,
a n d fo llo w , i n g e n e ra l, t h e g ro u p in g s d e v e lo p e d b y t h e
F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y R e li e f A d m i n is tr a t i o n a n d l a t e r
a d o p te d b y t h e W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n .21
F a m il ie s t h a t h a d r e c e iv e d r e lie f a t a n y tim e d u r in g
t h e s c h e d u le y e a r w e r e n e c e s s a ri ly e x c lu d e d fr o m t h e
o c c u p a tio n a l d is t r i b u t i o n s , s in c e t h e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a
fo r r e lie f fa m ilie s w e re n o t a v a ila b le b y o c c u p a tio n a l
g r o u p a t t h e tim e t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e re p r e p a r e d .
B e c a u s e o f t h i s o m is s io n , a n d b e c a u s e s u p p l e m e n t a r y
fa m ily e a r n e r s d o n o t a p p e a r s e p a r a t e l y in t h e c la s s i
fic a t io n , t h e p r o p o r t io n s b e tw e e n t h e s e v e r a l g ro u p s
d if fe r c o n s id e r a b ly f r o m th o s e s h o w n b y t h e c e n s u s a n d
b y o t h e r o c c u p a t io n a l c la s s if ic a tio n s . A s w a s p o i n te d
o u t a b o v e , t h e p r o p o r t io n o f f a m ilie s i n t h e w a g e e a r n e r g r o u p is u n u s u a l l y lo w , b e c a u s e o f t h e r e l a t i v e l y
h ig h in c id e n c e o f r e lie f a m o n g f a m ilie s i n t h i s c a te g o r y .
T h e n u m b e r s o f n o n re lie f fa m ilie s i n t h e e ig h t o c c u 
p a t i o n a l g r o u p s u s e d i n t h e s t u d y a r e s h o w n i n t a b l e 9,
t o g e th e r w i t h t h e a v e r a g e a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f
e a c h g r o u p . A v e ra g e in c o m e s a r e c o m p a r e d g r a p h ic a lly
in c h a r t 16. W a g e - e a r n in g a n d f a r m in g 22 fa m ilie s a r e
m o s t n u m e r o u s , r e p r e s e n tin g 38 p e r c e n t a n d 25 p e r c e n t,
19 F o r c o m p a ris o n o f n u m b er o f fa m ilie s in t h e p o p u la tio n a n d n u m b e r in th e s a m p le
for e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n it y , s e e ta b le 10A .
29 F o r l is t o f c o m m u n i tie s in c lu d e d in th e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s b u t n o t
in c l u d e d i n th e in c o m e e s tim a t e s p r e s e n te d i n th i s r e p o r t, s e e fo o tn o te 6, p . 57, in
A p p e n d ix A .
W . P . A ., C irc u la r N o . 2, O c c u p a tio n a l C la s s ific a tio n a n d C o d e , J u l y 1935, a n d
C irc u la r N o . 2 A , I n d e x o f O c c u p a tio n s . S e e a ls o A p p e n d ix A , p . 44.
22 F a r m fa m ilie s w e r e d e fin e d o n th e s a m e b a s is for b o t h th e t y p e o f c o m m u n i ty
a n d t h e o c c u p a tio n a l c la s s ific a tio n s .

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

26
r e s p e c tiv e ly , o f t h e t o t a l .
t h e lo w e s t m e a n in c o m e s —
a n d $ 1 ,2 5 9 f o r t h e f a r m in g
“ o t h e r ” o c c u p a tio n s c a m e

T h e s a m e tw o g r o u p s h a d
$ 1 ,2 8 9 fo r t h e w a g e -e a r n in g ,
g r o u p . T h e g r o u p c o v e ri n g
n e x t in o rd e r, w ith a m e a n

AVERAGE

IN C O M E S O F N O N R E L I E F F A M I L I E S
O C C U P A T IO N A L G R O U P S

IN S E V E N

1 9 3 5 -3 6

in c o m e o f $ 1 ,6 9 6 ; t h i s g r o u p in c lu d e s a s m a ll n u m b e r
o f fa m ilie s d e r iv in g t h e i r m a i n e a r n in g s f r o m f a r m in g
b u t l iv i n g i n c itie s o r v illa g e s a n d h e n c e e x c lu d e d f r o m
th e fa rm g ro u p .

M E D IA N

MEAN

IN C O M E

IN C O M E

F A R M IN G

I t a ls o in c lu d e s a ll n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s

t h a t re c e iv e d n o in c o m e f r o m e a r n in g s d u r in g t h e y e a r.

Ta bl e 9.—

A verage
in

and

a g g re g a te

in c o m e s

o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

W A G E -E A R N IN G

1

e i g h t o c c u p a t i o n a l g r o u p s ,2 1 9 8 5 - 8 6

A v e r a g e in c o m e
p e r fa m ily

F a m ilie s

C L E R IC A L

A g g r e g a te in co m e

O c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p
N u m ber

P e r c e n t M e d ia n

M ean

A m ou nt
(in th o u 
san d s)

IN D E P E N D E N T

P ercen t

W a g e -e a rn in g ------------F a r m i n g s ................. ......
C le r ic a l....... ................. .
B u s in e s s :
S a la r ie d --------------In d ep en d en t
___
P r o fes sio n a l:
S a la r ie d --------------I n d e p e n d e n t- -----O th e r 4_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

9 ,4 5 9 ,3 0 0
6 .1 6 6 ,6 0 0
3, 626, 200

3 7 .9
2 4 .8
1 4 .5

$ 1 ,1 7 5
965
1,71 0

$1, 289
1,25 9
1, 901

$ 1 2 ,18 9 ,0 3 8
7, 763, 570
6, 89 3,835

2 7 .5
1 7 .5
1 5 .5

1 ,11 2 ,60 0
2, 372, 700

4 .5
9 .5

2, 485
1,51 5

4, 212
2,54 7

4, 686, 662
6,04 3, 451

1 0 .6
1 3 .6

989, 200
34 0,900
845, 700

4 .0
1 .4
3 .4

2 ,10 0
3, 540
745

3 ,08 7
6,73 4
1,69 6

3, 053, 568
2, 295, 669
1 ,43 4 ,10 7

6 .9
5 .2
3 .2

A l l g r o u p s ---------

24 ,9 13, 200

10 0 .0

$ 1 ,2 85

$1 ,781

$44,359, 900

10 0 .0

B U S IN E S S

S A L A R IE D
P R O F E S S IO N A L

S A L A R IE D
B U S IN E S S

IN D E P E N D E N T

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i tt l e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 42.
2 F a m ilie s a r e c la ss ifie d a c co r d in g t o o c c u p a tio n fr o m w h i c h la r g es t a m o u n t of
fa m ily e a r n in g s w a s d e r i v e d , r a th e r th a n a c c o r d in g to o c c u p a tio n o f th e p r in c ip a l
e arn e r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 25 a n d A p p e n d ix A , p . 44.
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l i v i n g o n fa r m s i n ru r a l a rea s o n ly .
4 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s w i t h n o in c o m e fr o m e a r n in g s d u r in g th e y e a r , a n d v illa g e a n d
c i t y fa m ilie s w i t h m a jo r e a r n in g s fr o m fa r m in g .

T h e c le ric a l g r o u p — t h e t h i r d g r o u p i n n u m e r ic a l
i m p o r ta n c e — w a s n e x t i n siz e o f in c o m e , t h e m e a n fo r
t h e g r o u p a m o u n t in g to $ 1 ,9 0 1 . T h e in d e p e n d e n t
b u s in e s s g r o u p c a m e n e x t , w i t h t h e s a la r ie d p ro fe s s io n a l
a n d t h e s a la r ie d b u s in e s s g r o u p s fo llo w in g . T h e i n d e 
p e n d e n t p ro fe s s io n a l g r o u p , m u c h t h e s m a lle s t i n n u m 
b e r , h a d b y f a r t h e h ig h e s t m e a n in c o m e , $ 6 ,7 3 4 .
T h e m e d ia n in c o m e s a r e lo w e r t h a n t h e m e a n s f o r a ll
o f t h e o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s , a n d d i s t i n c t l y lo w e r fo r
fa m ilie s in “ o t h e r ” o c c u p a tio n s a n d f o r in d e p e n d e n t
p ro fe s s io n a l fa m ilie s . H a l f o f t h e “ o t h e r ” o c c u p a tio n
fa m ilie s r e c e iv e d in c o m e s o f le s s t h a n $ 7 4 5 , a n d h a l f o f
t h e in d e p e n d e n t p ro fe s s io n a l g r o u p h a d in c o m e s u n d e r
$ 3 ,5 4 0 . W h ile t h i s m e d ia n fo r t h e l a t t e r g r o u p is
m u c h lo w e r t h a n t h e m e a n in c o m e o f t h e g r o u p i t is
n e v e r th e le s s d i s t i n c t l y h ig h e r t h a n t h e m e d ia n s f o r a n y
o f t h e o t h e r o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s .
S tr i k in g d iffe re n c e s i n t h e r a n g e a n d c o n c e n t r a t io n o f
in c o m e s i n t h e o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s a r e s h o w n in
c h a r t 17. M o r e d e ta ile d c o m p a r is o n s o f t h e in c o m e
d is t r i b u t i o n s a r e p r e s e n t e d i n t a b l e 10. F a r m fa m ilie s ,
a s t h e p re c e d in g d is c u s s io n i n d i c a t e d , a r e q u i t e s c a rc e
i n t h e u p p e r in c o m e r a n g e s . M o r e t h a n 85 p e r c e n t of
t h e m a p p e a r i n t h e in c o m e c la s s e s b e lo w $ 2 ,0 0 0 , m o re
t h a n h a l f b e lo w $ 1 ,0 0 0 . T h e w a g e -e a r n in g fa m ilie s
a r e e q u a lly c o n c e n t r a t e d b e lo w $ 2 ,0 0 0 , w i t h a n e g li-

P R O F E S S IO N A L

EACH

D IS C

BASED

ON

R EPRESENTS
TABLE

$ 1 ,0 0 0

OF

IN C O M E

FO R

THE

YEAR

9

Cha r t 16.
g ib le p r o p o r t io n — t w o - t e n t h s o f 1 p e r c e n t — i n t h e
$ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r g r o u p . M a n y o f th e s e w a g e - e a r n e r
in c o m e s , i t m u s t b e r e m e m b e r e d , in c lu d e d t h e e a r n in g s
o f s e v e r a l m e m b e r s o f t h e f a m ily , a n d a ll o f t h e e a r n e r s

Ta bl e 10.—

P e r c e n ta g e

d is tr ib u tio n s

of

n o n r e lie f

fa m ilie s

1

in

s e v e n o c c u p a t i o n a l g r o u p s ,2 b y i n c o m e l e v e l , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

F a m i lie s in —

B u s in e s s g r o u p
I n c o m e le v e l

W agee ar n 
in g
group

F arm 
in g
g r ou p .3

C ler i
cal
g r ou p
S a lar ie d

In d e
pend
en t

P r o fe s sio n a l
group

S a lar ie d

In d e
pend
en t

U n d e r $250 ________
$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 5 0 -$ l,0 0 0 __________
$ 1 ,000-$ 1,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3 .0
7 .5
1 2 .0
1 6 .2
1 6 .2

3 .8
1 3 .9
1 8 .0
16 .6
12 .8

0 .5
1 .7
4 .6
9 .2
1 1 .8

0 .1
.3
1 .3
2 .9
5 .1

1 .5
6 .1
9 .1
1 0 .6
1 2 .4

0 .7
1 .7
3 .1
4 .8
6 .8

0 .2
.4
1 .2
2 .6
5 .1

$ 1 ,250-$ 1,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,500-$ 1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 ,0 0 0 -$ 2 ,25 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 ,2 5 0 -$ 2 ,50 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 2 .7
9 .8
7 .4
4 .8
3 .2

9 .8
7 .0
4 .8
3 .1
2 .5

1 2 .0
1 2 .1
1 1 .0
9 .4
7 .1

5 .8
9 .1
9 .3
8 .9
7 .7

9 .8
9 .0
7 .6
6 .3
4 .4

9 .1
9 .6
1 0 .5
9 .9
7 .8

4 .6
3 .8
4 .9
4 .2
5 .2

$2 ,5 0 0 -$ 3 ,00 0...... .......... .
$3,000-$3,5GO_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3 ,5 0 0 -$ 4 ,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 4 ,0 00-$ 4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4,500-$5,G 00_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3 .9
1 .7
.8
.4
.2

2 .9
1 .6
1 .0
.5
.3

8 .9
5 .0
2 .7
1 .4
.8

1 1 .8
9 .2
6 .1
3 .6
2 .5

6 .2
3 .8
2 .4
1 .8
1 .2

1 0 .5
7 .0
5 .2
2 .8
2 .0

9 .2
8 .1
5 .0
4 .3
3 .8

$5,000 a n d o v e r __
A l l l e v e l s . _ ___

.2

1 .4

1 .8

1 6 .3

7 .8

8 .5

3 7 .4

10 0.0

1 0 0 .0

1 0 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

1 0 0 .0

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r litt le ) a t a n y
ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 42.
2 F a m i lie s a r e c la ss ifie d a c c o r d in g t o o c c u p a tio n fr o m w h i c h la rg e st a m o u n t o f
fa m ily e a rn in g s w a s d e r iv e d , r a th e r th a n a c co r d in g to o c c u p a tio n o f t h e p r in c ip a l
earn er. F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 25 a n d A p p e n d ix A , p . 44.
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l i v i n g o n fa r m s i n r u ra l a rea s o n ly .

27

C o n su m e r In c o m e s
D IS T R IB U T IO N S

IN C O M E

IN

SEVEN

OF

N O N R E L IE F

O C C U P A T IO N A L

F A M IL IE S

GROUPS

1 9 3 5 -3 6

S A L A R IE D
B U S IN E S S

IN C O M E
LEVEL

UNDER $

IN D E P E N D E N T

S A L A R IE D

IN D E P E N D E N T

B U S IN E S S

P R O F E S S IO N A L

P R O F E S S IO N A L

I.O O O i

$

1 ,0 0 0 - 2 , 0 0 0

$

2 ,0 0 0 -3 ,0 0 0

s e e m e d b o t h d e s ir a b le a n d fe a s ib le to a n a ly z e t h e i n 
c o m e s o f w a g e - e a r n in g fa m ilie s b y t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y .
T h e r e s u l ti n g in c o m e e s t im a t e s a r e p r e s e n t e d f o r c o m 
p a r a t i v e p u r p o s e s i n ta b l e s 11 a n d 12. I t m u s t a g a in
b e n o t e d t h a t t h e re lie f fa m ilie s e x c lu d e d f r o m th e s e
t a b l e s c o n t a i n a h ig h p r o p o r t io n o f f a m ilie s w i t h v e r y
lo w in c o m e s , a n d t h a t t h e r e f o r e t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u 
tio n s , a s w e ll a s t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e fig u r e s , a r e s o m e 
w h a t h ig h e r t h a n t h e y w o u ld b e i f r e lie f f a m ilie s w e re
in c lu d e d .

$ 3 ,0 0 0 -5 ,0 0 0

Tabl e 11.—A v e r a g e
$ 5 , 0 0 0 a OVER

lie f)
0

10 2 0

30

4 0

0

10

2 0 3 0

0

4 0

PERCENT

OF

10

20

3 0

0

i

10

20 3 0

2

in c o m e s

of

w a g e -e a r n in g

fa m ilie s

1 (n o n r e 

in fiv e ty p e s o f c o m m u n ity , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

4 0

A v e r a g e in c o m e per
fa m ily

F a m ilie s

F A M IL IE S

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y
N um ber

UNDER $

M e t r o p o li s e s :3
1,500,000 p o p u la tio n a n d o v e r . ___
L a r g e cities :
100,000 to 1,500,000 p o p u la t io n ____
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
25,000 to 100,000 p o p u l a t io n _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll cities :
2,500 t o 25,000 p o p u la tio n ....... . _ . .
R u r a l c o m m u n it ie s - ------------- ---------

1,0 0 0

$ 1,000-2,000!
$ 2 ,0 0 0 - 3 ,0 0 0

$ 3 ,0 0 0 -5 ,0 0 0

A l l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 5 ,0 0 0

a

10

20

3 0 4 0

0

10

2 0

PERCENT

ON

M e d ia n

M ean

1 ,36 8 ,50 0

1 4 .5

$1, 500

$1, 626

2 ,1 5 5 ,1 0 0

2 2 .8

1,30 0

1,41 4

1, 409, 600

14 .9

1,16 5

1,26 3

2, 30 5,800
2, 220, 300

2 4 .3
2 3 .5

1 ,15 0
950

1,26 1
1,00 4

9 ,4 5 9 ,3 0 0

10 0 .0

$ 1 ,1 7 5

$1, 289

OVER
0

BASED

P ercen t

TABLE

3 0
OF

4 0

0

10 2 0

3 0

4 0

50

F A M IU E E

10

Cha r t 17.
i n a g iv e n f a m ily w e r e n o t n e c e s s a r ily e m p lo y e d in
w a g e - e a r n in g o c c u p a tio n s .
I n d e c id e d c o n t r a s t is t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r i n d e p e n d 
e n t p ro fe s s io n a l fa m ilie s . M o r e t h a n o n e t h i r d o f th is
s m a ll o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p , in c lu d in g f a m ilie s o f p h y s i
c ia n s , la w y e r s , a c c o u n t a n t s , a n d o t h e r p ro fe s s io n a l
w o r k e r s e n g a g e d in p r i v a t e p r a c tic e , re c e iv e d in c o m e s
o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r .23 T h e s a la r ie d fa m ilie s , b o t h b u s i 
n e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l, a r e w id e ly d is p e rs e d i n t h e i n 
c o m e i n t e r v a l s b e tw e e n $ 1 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 5 ,0 0 0 , w i t h a c o n 
s i d e r a b le p r o p o r t io n o f t h e b u s in e s s g r o u p re c e iv in g
$ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r. T h e in d e p e n d e n t b u s in e s s a n d t h e
c le ri c a l g ro u p s a r e m o r e c o n c e n t r a t e d b e lo w t h e $ 2 ,0 0 0
le v e l.
I n c o n s i d e r in g th e s e fig u re s , i t s h o u ld b e b o r n e in
m i n d t h a t t h e s a la r ie d b u s in e s s g r o u p is m a d e u p o f
e m p lo y e e s p e r f o r m in g e x e c u ti v e a n d m a n a g e r i a l t y p e s
o f w o rk , s in c e t h e c le ric a l b u s in e s s e m p lo y e e s a r e s e p a 
r a t e l y c la s s ifie d . I t s h o u ld a ls o b e r e m e m b e r e d t h a t
t h e i n d e p e n d e n t b u s in e s s g r o u p in c lu d e s t h e s m a ll s h o p 
k e e p e r a s w e ll a s t h e l a r g e e n t r e p r e n e u r .
B e c a u s e o f t h e im p o r ta n c e o f t h e w a g e - e a r n in g g ro u p ,
a n d t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s c o p e o f t h e s a m p le d a t a , i t h a s
23 T h e i n c o m e fig u r es for th e in d e p e n d e n t p r o fe ss io n a l g r o u p a p p ea r s u r p r is in g ly
h i g h i n r e l a ti o n t o th e o th er o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s . W h i le t h e in c o m e d i s tr ib u t io n s for

1 F a m ilie s a r e c la ss ifie d a c c o r d in g to o c c u p a tio n fr o m w h i c h la r g e s t a m o u n t o f
fa m ily e a r n in g s w a s d e r iv e d , r a th e r t h a n a c co r d in g t o o c c u p a t io n o f t h e p r in c ip a l
e arn e r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 2 5 a n d A p p e n d ix A , p . 44.
2 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e l ie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
tim e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e A p p e n d i x A , p . 4 2 .
3 M e tr o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e a r e in N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n o n l y ( N e w Y o r k , C h ica g o ,
P h ila d e lp h ia , a n d D e tr o it) .

Ta bl e 12.—

P e r c e n ta g e

(n o n r e l i e f ) 2 i n

d is tr ib u tio n s

of

w a g e -e a r n in g

fa m ilie s

1

f iv e ty p e s o f c o m m u n ity , b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

F a m ilie s li v i n g in —

A ll
fa m ilie s

M etrop 
o lis e s ,3
1,500,000
p o p u la 
ti o n a n d
o ver

L a rg e
c itie s ,
100,000
to
1,500,000
p o p u la 
tio n

M id d le s iz ed
c iti e s ,
25.000
to
100.000
p o p u la 
ti o n

U n d e r $250______
$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7 50-$ 1,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,000— $1,250_____

3 .0
7 .5
1 2 .0
1 6 .2
1 6 .2

1 .0
3 .0
6 .2
1 1 .4
1 4 .2

1 .9
5 .5
1 0 .1
1 4 .8
1 5 .4

2 .4
6 .3
1 2 .5
1 7 .8
1 7 .2

3 .8
7 .1
1 2 .4
1 6 .7
1 7 .2

4 .7
1 3 .5
1 6 .6
19.1
1 7 .0

$ 1 ,2 50-$ 1,500______
$ 1 ,5 00-$ 1,750_____
$ 1 ,750-$ 2,000_ _ _ _ _ _
$ 2 ,000-$ 2,250______
$ 2 ,2 50-$ 2,500______

1 2 .7
9 .8
7 .4
4 .8
3 .2

1 4 .4
1 2 .5
1 0 .3
7 .1
5 .2

1 2 .8
1 1 .0
9 .2
5 .9
4 .0

1 3 .0
1 0 .0
7 .5
4 .8
3 .1

1 2 .0
9 .1
7. 1
4 .7
3 .3

1 1 .9
7.Ö
4. 1
2 ,3
1 -2

$2 ,5 0 0 -$ 3 ,00 0______
$3 ,0 0 0 -$ 3 ,50 0______
$ 3 ,5 0 0 -$ 4 ,0 0 0 -_ _ _ _ _
$4 ,0 0 0 -$ 4 ,50 0______
$ 4 ,5 0 0 -$ 5 ,00 0______

3 .9
1 .7
.8
.4
.2

7 .7
3 .5
1 .8
.8
.4

5 .1
2 .2
1 .2
.5
.2

3 .0
1 .2
.5
.3
.2

3 .6
1 .7
.8
.3
.1

1 .4
.4
.1
. 1
.1

I n c o m e le v e l

S m a ll
c it ie s ,
2,500
to
25,000
p o p u la 
ti o n

$,5,00 0 a n d o v er ___

.2

.5

.2

.2

.1

A l l l e v e l s ___

1 0 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

R ural
com 
m u n irie:

1 0 0 .0

1 F a m i lie s a re c la s s ifie d a c co rd in g t o o c c u p a tio n fr o m w h i c h la r g e s t a m o u n t o f
fa m ily e a rn in g s w a s d e r i v e d , r a th e r th a n a c co r d in g t o o c c u p a t io n o f th e p r in c ip a l
e a rn er. F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 25 a n d A p p e n d i x A , p . 44.
2 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e l ie f (h o w e v e r l i t t l e ) a t a n y tim e
d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 42 .
3 M e tr o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e a re i n N o r th C e n tra l R e g io n o n l y ( N e w Y o r k , C h ic a g o ,
P h ila d e lp h i a , a n d D e tr o it ).

th i s g r o u p w e r e v e r y c o n s i s te n t fr o m o n e s a m p l e a r e a t o a n o th e r , a n d th e r e i s n o r e c o g 
n i z e d s o u r ce o f error in th e d a t a , i t s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t th i s g r o u p is s m a ll a n d th a t
th e fin d in g s m a y b e s o m e w h a t le s s r e p r e s e n ta tiv e th a n th o s e for o th e r o c c u p a tio n a l
g rou p s.

A s w a s t r u e f o r a ll f a m ilie s c o m b in e d , t h e in c o m e s o f
w a g e - e a r n in g fa m ilie s i n c r e a s e d s t e a d i l y w i t h t h e d e -

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

2 8

g re e o f u r b a n i z a t io n . T h e m e a n in c o m e r a n g e d fr o m
$ 1 ,0 0 4 f o r r u r a l c o m m u n itie s , w h e r e n e a r l y o n e q u a r t e r
o f t h e w a g e - e a r n in g fa m ilie s a r e f o u n d , t o $ 1 ,6 2 6 fo r
t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l m e tro p o lis e s , w h ic h in c lu d e n e a r l y
15 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r . T h e m e a n in c o m e s
f o r s m a ll a n d fo r m id d le -s iz e d c it ie s w e r e s im ila r —
$ 1 ,2 6 1 a n d $ 1 ,2 6 3 , r e s p e c tiv e ly , a n d t h a t f o r l a r g e c itie s
$ 1 ,4 1 4 . F i f t y - f o u r p e r c e n t o f t h e w a g e -e a r n in g f a m i
lie s i n r u r a l c o m m u n itie s h a d in c o m e s u n d e r $ 1 ,0 0 0 a s
c o m p a r e d w i t h a b o u t 4 0 p e r c e n t i n s m a ll a n d i n m id d le s iz e d c it ie s , 3 2 p e r c e n t i n l a r g e c it ie s , a n d 2 2 p e r c e n t in
m e tro p o lis e s . T w o p e r c e n t o f t h e r u r a l g r o u p h a d
in c o m e s o f $ 2 ,5 0 0 o r o v e r, a s a g a i n s t 15 p e r c e n t in th e
m e tr o p o lis e s .

(N O N R E L IE F )

IN T H R E E T Y P E S

N E G R O F A M IL IE S
O F C O M M U N IT Y

1 9 3 5 -3 6

W H IT E

SO UTHERN

F A M IL IE S

N EG R O

F A M IL IE S

R U R AL

C O M M U N IT IE S

SO UTHER N

C IT IE S

2 ,5 0 0 POPULATION
AND OVER

NO RTH

C E N TR A L

C IT IE S

1 0 0 ,0 0 0 POPULATION
AND OVER

OF A VERA GE (M EA N ) INCOM E

FOR T H E YEA R

BA SED ON T A BLE 13

M a r k e d d is s im il a r iti e s in t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s
o f v a r io u s r a c ia l a n d n a t i v i t y g r o u p s w e r e r e v e a le d b y
t h e s a m p le d a t a c o lle c te d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s . T h e s e d is s im il a r iti e s w e r e a llo w e d f o r i n
b u ild in g u p t h e in c o m e e s t im a t e s f o r m a j o r g ro u p s o f
f a m ilie s a n d a r e r e fl e c te d i n t h e n a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n .
H o w e v e r , d e t a il e d a n a ly s is o f t h e in c o m e p a t t e r n s o f
fo re ig n - b o r n f a m ilie s c o u ld n o t b e m a d e i n t h e tim e
a v a ila b le , a n d t h e d a t a f o r m i n o r c o lo r a n d r a c ia l
g r o u p s w e r e c o n s id e r e d to o s c a n t y t o j u s t i f y s u c h a n a l y 
sis. B e c a u s e N e g ro e s f o r m s u c h a l a r g e p a r t o f t h e
t o t a l p o p u la t io n , t h e y w e re m o r e e x te n s iv e ly s a m p l e d .24
I t is , th e r e f o r e , p o s s ib le t o m a k e d i r e c t c o m p a r is o n s o f
t h e in c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f w h i te a n d N e g r o fa m ilie s in
u r b a n a n d r u r a l c o m m u n itie s i n t h e S o u th a n d i n la r g e
c itie s i n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e g io n . T h e s e fig u r e s a r e
p r e s e n t e d i n t a b l e s 13 a n d 14, a n d in t h e tw o a c c o m 
p a n y in g c h a r t s .
r e lie f)1 in

IN C O M E S O F W H IT E A N D

EACH D ISC REPRESEN T S $ 5 0 0

In c o m e s o f W h i t e a n d N e g r o F a m ilie s

Ta bl e 13.—

AVERAGE

Char t

18

w a s s o m e w h a t le s s i n N o r t h C e n t r a l c itie s o f 1 0 0 ,0 0 0
a n d o v e r , b u t e v e n t h e r e t h e m e a n in c o m e f o r N e g ro
fa m ilie s w a s le s s t h a n h a l f t h a t f o r w h i te fa m ilie s .
T h e m e d ia n in c o m e s , g iv e n i n t a b l e 13, r e v e a l t h e s a m e
g e n e r a l r e l a t i o n s h i p , b u t i n d i c a t e s o m e w h a t le s s d is 
p a r i t y b e tw e e n t h e in c o m e s o f w h i te a n d N e g r o fa m ilie s
i n S o u th e r n r u r a l c o m m u n itie s . T h e m e d ia n in c o m e
f o r w h i te fa m ilie s w a s $ 1 ,1 0 0 a s c o m p a r e d w i t h $ 4 8 0
f o r N e g r o fa m ilie s . T h e n e g lig ib le p r o p o r t io n o f h ig h
in c o m e s a m o n g N e g r o a s c o m p a r e d w i t h w h i te fa m ilie s
i n th e s e a r e a s e x p la in s w h y t h e m e d ia n s d iffe r le s s t h a n
th e m eans.

Ta bl e 14.—

(n o n r e lie f)

N o r th

P e r c e n ta g e

1

in

d is tr ib u tio n s

S o u th e r n

ru ra l

o f w h ite

an d

c o m m u n itie s

N e g ro fa m ilie s

an d

c itie s

an d

in

C e n t r a l c i t i e s ,2 b y i n c o m e l e v e l , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

F a m i lie s l iv i n g in —
A verage
S o u th e r n

in c o m e s

o f w h ite

and

r u r a l c o m m u n itie s

N eg ro fa m ilie s

and

c itie s

and

in

(n o n N o r th

C e n t r a l c i t i e s ,2 1 9 8 5 —3 6

I n c o m e le v e l

S o u th e r n c itie s o f
2,500 p o p u la tio n
a n d o ver

S o u th e r n r u ra l
c o m m u n it ie s

N o r th C e n tra l c itie s
o f 100,000 p o p u l a 
tio n a n d o v e r

A v e r a g e in c o m e p e r fa m ily
W h it e
R e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

S o u th e r n ru r a l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ ___
S o u th e r n c iti e s o f 2,500 p o p u la t io n a n d o v e r ____
N o r th C e n tra l c iti e s o f 100,000 p o p u la tio n a n d

M ed ia n

N egro

W h it e

N egro

W h i te

N egro

M ean

W h i te

N egro

W h it e

$ 1 ,1 00
1,57 0

$480
525

$1, 535
2,01 9

$566
635

1, 720

1,09 5

2,61 6

1,22 7

N egro

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ire c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r litt le ) a t a n y
ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e A p p e n d i x A , p . 42.
2 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n it ie s in c l u d e d i n s a m p le , s e e c h a rt 10. F o r d is c u s s io n o f
lim it a t io n s o f th e re g io n a l c o m p a ris o n , s e e p p . 18, 22 -23, 54, a n d 57.

C h a r t 18 in d i c a t e s t h a t in b o t h u r b a n a n d r u r a l
S o u t h e r n c o m m u n itie s t h e m e a n in c o m e o f n o n r e lie f
w h i te fa m ilie s i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 w a s a p p r o x im a t e ly t h r e e
tim e s t h a t o f n o n re lie f N e g r o fa m ilie s . T h e d is p a r i t y
24 F o r c o m p a r is o n o f n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s in th e p o p u l a t io n a n d n u m b e r in th e
s a m p le for n a t iv e -w h it e , fo r eig n -b o r n w h i te , a n d N e g r o fa m ilie s a n d fa m ilie s b e lo n g 
i n g t o o th e r c o lo r g r o u p s , s e e ta b le 11 A .

U n d e r $250........ ......
$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 5 0 0 -$ 7 5 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$750-$1,000_______
$ 1 ,000-$ 1,250_____

0 .9
9 .6
1 7 .7
1 6 .6
1 2 .9

1 2 .0
41. 1
26. 1
1 1 .6
4 .4

1 .6
4 .4
9 .5
1 0 .8
1 1 .7

16. 2
3 1 .1
2 5 .4
1 3 .0
6 .3

1 .6
2 .7
5 .1
8 .5
1 1 .2

1 .9
4 .7
1 3 .5
2 2 .2
2 0 .1

$1 ,2 50-$ 1,500_ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,5 0 0 -$ 1 ,75 0_ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,750-$ 2,000_ _ _ _ _ _
$ 2 ,000-$ 2,250_ _ _ _ _ _
$ 2 ,250-$ 2,500_ _ _ _ _ _

1 0 .2
7 .7
5 .1
4 .1
2 .9

2 .5
1. 2
.6
.2
.2

9 .5
9 .1
8 .5
6 .7
5 .7

2 .9
2 .1
.8
.7
.6

1 1 .2
1 0 .8
9 .9
7 .7
5 .9

1 2 .8
8 .5
6 .0
3 .9
2 .5

$2 ,5 00-$ 3,000______
$ 3 ,000-$ 3,500_ _ _ _ _ _
$3 ,5 00-8 4,000______
$ 4 ,000-$ 4,500_ _ _ _ _ _
$ 4 ,500-$ 5,000_ _ _ _ _ _

4 .0
2 .4
1 .5
.9
.7

.1

.4
.2
.1
.1

0

7 .5
4 .8
3 .4
2 .0
1 .2

0

8 .4
4 .9
2 .9
1 .7
1 .0

1 .7
1 .1
.4
.2
.1

$ 5 ,000-$ 7,500.........
$7 ,5 00-$ 10,00 0_____
$10,000 a n d o v e r ___

1 .5
.6
.7

0
0
0

2 .3
.5
.8

.1
0
0

2 .1
1 .5
2 .9

.2
.2

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

A l l l e v e l s ___

1 0 0 .0

«
0
0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

0
10 0 .0

1 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e l ie f ( h o w e v e r l i t t l e ) a t a n y
tim e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a t io n , s e e A p p e n d ix A , p . 42.
2 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s in c lu d e d in s a m p le , s e e c h a rt 10. F o r d is c u s s io n o f
lim it a t io n s o f th e r e g io n a l c o m p a ris o n , s e e p p . 18, 22 -2 3 , 54, a n d 57.
3 L e s s th a n 0.05 p e r c e n t.

C on su m e r In c o m e s
IN C O M E

29

D IS T R IB U T IO N S

(N O N R E L IE F )

IN

OF

W H IT E

THREE

AND

TYPES

OF

NEG RO

F A M IL IE S

C O M M U N IT Y

1 9 3 5 -3 6

W H IT E

F A M IL IE S

SOUTHERN

SOUTHERN

NO RTH

O n e - t e n t h o f t h e n o n r e lie f w h i te f a m ilie s h a d in c o m e s
u n d e r $ 5 0 0 a n d 4 5 p e r c e n t in c o m e s u n d e r $ 1 ,0 0 0 . I n
S o u t h e r n c it ie s t h e s i t u a t i o n w a s v e r y s i m i l a r f o r t h e
N e g ro g r o u p .
F o r t y - s e v e n p e r c e n t o f t h e n o n r e lie f
N e g ro f a m ilie s r e c e iv e d le s s t h a n $ 5 0 0 a n d 8 6 p e r c e n t
le s s t h a n $ 1 ,0 0 0 . T h e in c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f w h i te f a m 
ilie s i n S o u th e r n c itie s , h o w e v e r, w e r e m u c h h ig h e r
t h a n i n r u r a l c o m m u n i t ie s ; o n ly 6 p e r c e n t re c e iv e d le ss
t h a n $ 5 0 0 a n d 2 6 p e r c e n t le s s t h a n $ 1 ,0 0 0 .
I n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l c itie s , t h e N e g ro fa m ilie s w e re
m o s t n u m e r o u s i n t h e in c o m e c la ss e s fr o m $ 5 0 0 to
$ 1 ,5 0 0 , w i t h a m in o r p r o p o r t io n o f t h e m s c a tt e r e d
t h r o u g h t h e h ig h e r in c o m e ra n g e s . S in c e t h e in c id e n c e
o f r e lie f a m o n g u r b a n N e g ro fa m ilie s in t h e N o r t h
C e n t r a l R e g io n w a s u n u s u a l l y h ig h , i t is p r o b a b le
t h a t t h e in c lu s io n o f r e lie f fa m ilie s in t h i s c o m p a ris o n
w o u ld a l t e r c o n s id e r a b ly t h e r e la t i o n s h i p b e tw e e n t h e
tw o c o lo r g r o u p s , b y th r o w in g a r e l a t i v e l y h ig h e r p r o 
p o r t i o n o f N e g ro e s i n t h e lo w e r in c o m e le v e ls .

PERCENT OF FAMILIES

NEGRO

F A M IL IE S

SOUTHERN

SO UTH ER N
C IT IE S

RURAL
C O M M U N IT IE S

r r

I r

i

2 ,5 0 0

PO P S

NORTH
C E N T R A L C IT IE S

100,000 POP a OVER

OVER

i

UNDER S 500 Q
$ 5 0 0 -1 ,0 0 0 ■
S: 1
1 ,0
,0 0
0 0
0 -- 11,50
, 5 0 00

$

1 ,5 0 0 - 2 ,0 0 0

S

2 ,0 0 0 - 2 ,5 0 0

$

2 ,5 0 0 8 OVER

■

0

10

2 0

3 0

4 0

50

0

10

2 0

3 0

4 0

0

10

2 0

3 0

4 0

PERCENT OF FAMILIES
B A S E D

ON

T A B LE

14

Cha bt

19

T h e c o n c e n t r a t io n o f N e g ro fa m ilie s in t h e lo w , a n d
t h e i r s c a r c i t y i n t h e h ig h , in c o m e c la s s e s is s h o w n b y
c h a r t 1 9, w h ic h c o m p a r e s t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f
w h ite s a n d N e g ro e s in t h e S o u th a n d in N o r t h C e n t r a l
la r g e c itie s .
I n t h e r u r a l S o u th , m o r e t h a n h a l f o f t h e n o n re lie f
N e g r o fa m ilie s h a d in c o m e s o f le s s t h a n $ 5 0 0 ; m o re
t h a n n i n e - t e n t h s o f t h e m h a d in c o m e s u n d e r $ 1 ,0 0 0 .

A c o m p a r is o n o f t h e in c o m e s t a t u s o f N e g ro a n d w h ite
fa m ilie s in S o u th e r n f a r m c o m m u n itie s c a n b e m a d e
fr o m t h e m o r e t e n t a t i v e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s p r e s e n te d
in A p p e n d ix B . T h e s e a p p e n d ix ta b le s s h o w th e
in c o m e s o f N e g r o a n d w h ite f a r m o p e r a t o r s a s c o m p a re d
w i t h N e g ro a n d w h ite s h a r e c r o p p e r s . T h e s e in c o m e
d a t a w e re d r a w n f r o m t h e s a m p le a r e a s i n t h e S o u t h 
e a s te r n S t a t e s a n d m a y n o t b e fu lly r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f
t h e r e l a t i v e s t a t u s o f o p e r a t o r s a n d s h a r e c r o p p e r s in
o t h e r p a r t s o f t h e S o u th . T h e m e d ia n in c o m e fo r
w h ite o p e r a t o r s in t h e s a m p le a r e a s w a s $ 1 ,0 1 0 a s
c o m p a r e d w it h $ 6 4 5 f o r w h ite s h a r e c r o p p e r s . N e g ro
o p e r a t o r s h a d a m e d ia n in c o m e o f $ 6 0 0 , a n d N e g ro
s h a r e c r o p p e r s , a m e d ia n in c o m e o f $ 4 6 0 . I t s h o u ld b e
r e m e m b e r e d t h a t th e s e fig u r e s r e p r e s e n t n o t o n ly m o n e y
in c o m e b u t a ls o in c o m e i n k in d , in c lu d in g t h e v a lu e
o f h o m e - p r o d u c e d fo o d a n d fu e l a n d t h e i m p u t e d r e n t a l
v a lu e o f h o u s in g .
F u r t h e r c o m p a ri s o n s o f t h e in c o m e s t a t u s o f N e g ro
f a m ilie s a n d o f n a t i v e a n d fo r e ig n - b o r n w h i te fa m ilie s
a r e p r e s e n t e d f o r re fe re n c e p u r p o s e s i n A p p e n d ix B .

SECT I O N

2.

I N CO M ES O F SI N G LE I N D I V I D U A L S

“ S in g le i n d i v i d u a l s ,” a s d e f in e d i n t h i s s t u d y , in c lu d e
i n d i v i d u a l h o u s e h o ld e rs , c la s s ifie d b y t h e c e n s u s a s o n e p e r s o n fa m ilie s , s in g le p e r s o n s l iv in g i n lo d g in g h o u s e s
o r h o t e ls o r i n s im ila r q u a s i- f a m il y g ro u p s , a n d s e r v a n t s
o r lo d g e r s i n p r i v a t e h o m e s . I n c lu d e d a ls o a r e s o n s
a n d d a u g h t e r s liv in g w i t h t h e i r p a r e n t s b u t p a y i n g f o r
b o a r d a n d lo d g in g a n d n o t p o o lin g t h e i r in c o m e s i n t h e
c o m m o n f a m ily f u n d . I n d i v i d u a l s liv in g i n i n s t i t u 
t io n s o r a s m e m b e r s o f q u a s i - i n s t i t u t i o n a l g ro u p s a re
n o t in c lu d e d , s in c e t h e y d o n o t m a i n t a i n a s e p a r a t e a n d
i n d e p e n d e n t e c o n o m ic s t a t u s . B o t h r e lie f a n d n o n 
re lie f in d i v i d u a l s a r e in c lu d e d in t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u 
t i o n i n t a b l e 15, w h ic h s h o w s t h e n u m b e r a n d p e r c e n t
o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a n d t h e p e r c e n t o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e
a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l.
T h e m o s t c o n s p ic u o u s f e a t u r e o f t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n
is t h e c o n c e n t r a t io n i n t h e lo w e r in c o m e i n t e r v a l s .

Ta bl e 15.—

D is tr ib u tio n

of

s in g le

in d iv id u a ls

and

of

a g g r e g a te

i n c o m e r e c e i v e d , b y i n c o m e l e v e l , 1 9 8 5 —8 6

S in g le i n d i v id u a ls
I n c o m e le v e l
N um ber

P ercen t C u m u 
a t e ac h la tiv e
percent
le v e l

A g g r e g a te in c o m e

A m ount
(in th o u 
sa n d s )

P ercen t C u m u 
a t e ac h la tiv e
le v e l
percent

960, 644
1, 571, 983
1,972, 745
1 ,59 9 ,03 0
1,108, 551

9 .5 5
15. 63
19. 62
15.91
11.02

9 .5 5
25 .1 8
44. 80
60 .7 1
71 .7 3

$168, 3(rf
600,854
1, 231, 636
1 ,39 1 ,49 2
1, 240, 682

1 .37
5 .19
10 .6 3
12.01
10.71

1 .37
6. 56
17.19
29. 20
39 .9 1

$1,250-$1,500_________
$1 ,5 00-$ 1,750_________
$1,750-$2,000_________
$2 ,0 00-$ 2,250_________
$2 ,2 50-$ 2,500_________

87 7,956
546, 546
39 8,985
283, 652
210,099

8. 73
5 .43
3 .9 7
2 .8 2
2 .09

8 0 .4 6
85. 89
89. 86
92. 68
94. 77

1, 201, 347
883, 223
74 5,400
600, 779
497, 260

10 .3 7
7. 63
6 .44
5 .19
4. 29

50 .2 8
57.91
64. 35
69 .5 4
73 .8 3

$2 ,5 00-$ 3,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3 ,0 00-$ 3,500_________
$3 ,5 00-$ 4,000_________
$4 ,0 00-$ 4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4,500-15,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

161, 275
108, 360
S3, 731
3 6 ,1 05
25 ,491

1.60
1.08
.6 3
.3 6
.2 5

96. 37
9 7 .4 5
98. 08
98. 44
9 8 .6 9

436,150
349,494
237,497
154,458
122. 319

3 .7 7
3. 02
2 .05
1 .33
1 .06

77 .6 0
80. 62
82. 67
84 .0 0
85 .0 6

$5 ,0 00-$ 7,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7 ,5 0 0 -$ 10,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 0.000-$15,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 5,000 -$20 ,0 00_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$20,000 -$25 ,0 00_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

57, 316
28 ,582
20,861
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5,61 7

.5 7
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99. 26
99 .5 4
99. 75
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9 9 .9 0

34 4,315
24 2,188
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2 .9 7
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88. 03
9 0 .1 2
92 .2 8
93 .6 7
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$2 5,000-$30,000................
$30,000-$40,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$40,00 0 -$ 5 0 ,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 0,000-$100,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$10Ò,000-$25Ò,000_ _ _ _ _ _

3, 350
2,39 8
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99. 93
99. 95
99. 97
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92, 701
80, 882
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95. 57
96. 27
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$2 50,000-$500,000_____
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217
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10 0.00

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$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 5 0 -$ !,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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1 0 ,05 8 ,00 0
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30

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A lm o s t 4 5 p e r c e n t o f t h e 1 0 ,0 5 8 ,0 0 0 i n d iv id u a ls r e c e iv e d
in c o m e s o f le s s t h a n $ 7 5 0 d u r in g t h e y e a r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
A t t h e o t h e r e n d o f t h e in c o m e s c a le , w e fin d le s s t h a n
1K p e r c e n t w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r. A c o m 
p a r is o n w i t h t h e f a m ily d i s t r i b u t i o n i n t a b l e 3 e m p h a 
s iz e s t h e r e l a t i v e l y g r e a t e r c o n c e n t r a t io n o f in c o m e s fo r
s in g le i n d iv id u a ls . N e a r l y 61 p e r c e n t o f t h e i n d iv id u a ls
h a d in c o m e s b e lo w $ 1 ,0 0 0 a s c o m p a r e d w i t h 4 2 p e r c e n t
o f t h e fa m ilie s ; 29 p e r c e n t h a d in c o m e s b e tw e e n $ 1 ,0 0 0
a n d $ 2 ,0 0 0 a s c o m p a r e d w i t h 3 7 p e r c e n t o f t h e fa m ilie s ;
a n d o n ly 10 p e r c e n t h a d in c o m e s o f o v e r $ 2 ,0 0 0 a s c o m 
p a r e d w i t h 21 p e r c e n t o f t h e fa m ilie s . T h e lo w n e s s o f
th e d is trib u tio n a s c o m p a re d w ith th e d is trib u tio n fo r
fa m ily u n i t s is e x p la in e d , i n p a r t a t le a s t , b y t h e f a c t
t h a t s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a s a g r o u p a re y o u n g e r t h a n
h e a d s o f f a m ilie s .1
A s a lr e a d y i n d i c a t e d i n t a b l e 1, t h e s h a r e o f t h e t o t a l
c o n s u m e r in c o m e re c e iv e d b y s in g le i n d iv id u a ls w a s h ig h
i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e i r n u m b e r s i n t h e t o t a l p o p u la t io n , a s
t h e i r a v e r a g e in c o m e w a s h ig h e r t h a n t h e p e r c a p i t a
in c o m e s o f f a m ily m e m b e r s . B u t t h e d iv is io n o f th e
a g g r e g a te in c o m e a m o n g t h e 10 m illio n i n d i v i d u a l c o n 
s u m e r u n i t s re v e a ls a n i n e q u a l i t y s im ila r to t h a t fo r
fa m ilie s . T h u s t h e 4 5 p e r c e n t w i t h in c o m e s o f le s s t h a n
$ 7 5 0 r e c e iv e d o n ly 17 p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e of
s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s , w h ile t h e 1 / p e r c e n t a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0
r e c e iv e d 15 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l . T h e c o n c e n t r a t io n o f
i n d iv id u a ls i n t h e lo w e r in c o m e i n t e r v a l s a n d t h e d is 
p a r i t y b e tw e e n t h e h ig h a n d lo w in c o m e g r o u p s w e re
s h o w n b y c h a r t 2 , p r e s e n t e d e a r lie r i n t h e r e p o r t.
S o m e w a r n i n g s h o u ld b e g iv e n t h a t t h e in c o m e d is 
t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s is r e l a t i v e l y le s s r e lia b le
t h a n th o s e f o r fa m ilie s . S in c e t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s d id n o t p r o v id e a c o m p r e h e n s iv e s a m p le o f t h e
in c o m e s o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o re ly ,
to a l a r g e e x t e n t , o n e a r n in g s d a t a f r o m m is c e lla n e o u s
s o u rc e s . T h e s e d a t a d id n o t p e r m i t o f d e t a il e d b r e a k 
d o w n s a c c o r d in g to d if f e r e n t c h a r a c te r is tic s .
D i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f s in g le w o m e n i n t h r e e
o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s — w a g e - e a r n e r , c le ric a l, a n d b u s i
n e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l— w e re b u i l t u p o n t h e b a s is o f
1 F o r refe re n ce , s ee F ift e e n th C e n s u s o f th e U n i te d S ta te s, 1930, P o p u la tio n , v o l. I I .
p . 842.

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

e a r n in g s d a t a f r o m v a r io u s s t u d i e s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
W o m e n ’s B u r e a u a n d t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s E m p l o y m e n t
S e r v ic e . D i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f s in g le m e n i n t h e
s a m e o c c u p a t io n a l g r o u p s w e r e t h e n o b t a i n e d b y a d j u s t 
i n g t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le w o m e n o n t h e
b a s is o f r e l a t i o n s h i p s s h o w n b y v a r io u s s t u d i e s t o e x is t
b e t w e e n t h e e a r n in g s o f m e n a n d w o m e n .
T h e s e e a r n in g s d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e re c h e c k e d a g a i n s t t h e
in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n s h o w n
b y s m a ll s a m p le s f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r 
c h a s e s a n d t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y , t o m a k e a llo w 
a n c e f o r in c o m e r e c e iv e d f r o m s o u r c e s o t h e r t h a n e a r n 
in g s . F o r s in g le m e n , t h e r e s u l t s w e r e a ls o c h e c k e d
a g a i n s t t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s s h o w n b y t h e S t u d y o f
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s f o r tw o - p e r s o n fa m ilie s c o n s i s t in g
o f h u s b a n d a n d w ife , i n w h ic h t h e h u s b a n d w a s u s u a lly
t h e s o le e a r n e r . F o r s in g le m e n e n g a g e d i n f a r m in g , i t
w a s n e c e s s a r y t o u s e t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s S tu d y

31
d is trib u tio n fo r
m o d if ic a tio n .

tw o - p e r s o n

fa rm

fa m ilie s ,

w ith o u t

F o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s re c e iv in g r e lie f a t s o m e tim e
d u r in g t h e y e a r , d is t r i b u t i o n s w e r e c o n s t r u c te d o n t h e
b a s is o f f r a g m e n t a r y d a t a f r o m t h e W o r k s P r o g r e s s
A d m i n is tr a t i o n , a n d c e r ta i n a s s u m e d r e l a tio n s h ip s
b e tw e e n t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e s o f in d i v i d u a l s r e c e iv in g
r e lie f a n d th o s e n o t re c e iv in g re lie f.
T h e r e lie f a n d n o n r e lie f d is t r i b u t i o n s w e r e t h e n c o m
b in e d t o o b t a i n in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r a ll s in g le m e r
a n d f o r a ll s in g le w o m e n . T h e s e d is t r i b u t i o n s w ere
a d j u s t e d a b o v e t h e $ 3 ,0 0 0 in c o m e le v e l i n a c c o rd a n c e
w it h s e p a r a t e d is t r i b u t i o n s d e r iv e d f r o m in c o m e t a x
d a t a , b y m e t h o d s s im ila r t o th o s e d e s c r ib e d a b o v e f o r
fa m ilie s .
T h e s o u r c e s o f d a t a a n d t h e m e t h o d s u s e d i n b u ild in g
u p t h e e s t im a t e s f o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a r e e x p la in e d i n
d e t a il i n A p p e n d ix A , s e c ti o n 5.

SECTI ON 3. I NCOM ES OF I N STI TU TI ON AL RESIDENTS

E s t i m a t e s o f t h e in c o m e s o f r e s id e n ts o f i n s t i t u t i o n s
a n d m e m b e r s o f q u a s i - i n s ti t u t i o n a l g ro u p s p r e s e n t c e r 
t a i n d if fic u ltie s t h a t d o n o t a p p e a r fo r fa m ilie s a n d
s in g le in d iv id u a ls . T h e d iffic u ltie s a ris e l a r g e ly fr o m
t h e f a c t t h a t a s i g n ifi c a n t p o r ti o n o f s u c h in c o m e s is
r e c e iv e d i n t h e f o r m o f fo o d , c lo th in g , a n d o t h e r s u b 
s is te n c e i te m s p r o v i d e d t h r o u g h a c e n t r a l c o m m is s a ry
o r p u r c h a s i n g office.
M a n y t y p e s o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s id e n ts h a v e n o m o n e y
in c o m e o r o n ly i n c i d e n ta l s u m s f r o m e a r n in g s o r fr o m
f r ie n d s a n d r e la tiv e s . P e r s o n a l in c o m e i n s u c h g r o u p s
is v i r t u a l l y s y n o n y m o u s w it h p e r c a p i t a s u b s is te n c e
c o s ts . T h is is t r u e , t o g r e a t e r o r le s s e x t e n t , o f t h e
r e s i d e n t s o f i n s t i t u t i o n s f o r m e n t a l d e f e c tiv e s , p h y s ic a l
d e f e c tiv e s , d e p e n d e n t c h ild r e n , a n d d e p e n d e n t a d u lts ,
a n d fo r t h e i n m a t e s o f p ri s o n s a n d re f o r m a to r ie s .
M e m b e r s o f t h e q u a s i - i n s ti t u t i o n a l g ro u p s , in c lu d in g
e n ro lle e s i n t h e C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a tio n C o r p s , w o r k e r s in
la b o r c a m p s — s u c h a s lu m b e r , r a i lr o a d , a n d o t h e r c o n 
s t r u c t i o n c a m p s — e n lis te d A r m y a n d N a v y p e r s o n n e l,
a n d c re w s o n v e s s e ls, r e c e iv e a s a l a r y o v e r a n d a b o v e
s u b s is te n c e . H o w e v e r, i n t h e c a s e o f C . C . C . e n 
ro lle e s, t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e m a r e r e q u i r e d t o a llo c a te t h e
g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e i r m o n t h l y w a g e s t o t h e i r fa m ilie s .
A c c o rd in g ly , t h e r e h a s b e e n in c lu d e d i n t h e e s t im a t e s
f o r t h i s g r o u p o n ly t h a t p o r ti o n o f e a r n in g s t h a t e n ro lle e s
w e re a llo w e d t o r e t a i n f o r t h e i r p e r s o n a l u s e .
T h e t o t a l i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n o f t h e U n i te d
S t a t e s in 1 9 3 5 -3 6 is e s t im a t e d a t a p p r o x im a te ly
2 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 in d iv id u a ls . T h e s e a r e d iv id e d , i n t a b l e 16,
i n t o s e v e n m a i n g ro u p s a c c o r d in g t o t h e t y p e o f r e s i
d e n t c a r e d fo r, o r— i n t h e c a s e o f t h e q u a s i - i n s ti t u t i o n a l
g ro u p s — t h e g e n e ra l t y p e o f w o rk p e r f o r m e d b y th e
m e m b e rs .
T h e re s id e n ts o f in s titu tio n s “ p ro p e r” n u m b e r a p 
p r o x i m a t e l y 1 ,2 0 0 ,0 0 0 , o r 60 p e r c e n t o f t h e c o m b in e d
g r o u p s . M e n t a l d e f e c tiv e s , in c lu d in g t h e i n m a t e s o f
i n s a n e a s y lu m s , h o m e s f o r t h e f e e b le -m in d e d , a n d
h o s p i ta l s f o r e p ile p tic s , m a k e u p a lm o s t h a l f o f th is
n u m b e r. In m a te s o f p e n a l a n d re fo rm a to ry in s titu 
tio n s n u m b e r 2 0 7 ,0 0 0 ; d e p e n d e n t a d u l t s i n a lm s h o u s e s
a n d h o m e s f o r t h e a g e d , 1 6 9 ,0 0 0 ; d e p e n d e n t c h ild r e n in
32

o r p h a n a s y lu m s a n d r e f o r m a to r ie s fo r ju v e n ile d e lin 
q u e n ts , 1 6 0 ,0 0 0 . P h y s ic a l d e f e c tiv e s c o n s t i t u t e t h e
s m a lle s t g ro u p o f 1 0 1 ,0 0 0 . M e m b e r s o f t h e q u a s ii n s t i t u t i o n a l g ro u p s t o t a l a b o u t 8 0 0 ,0 0 0 .
T h e e s t i m a t e d a v e r a g e in c o m e s o f t h e r e s i d e n t s o f
i n s t i t u t i o n s a r e b a s e d o n s a m p le d a t a f o r S t a t e i n s t i 
t u t i o n s i n 17 S ta t e s . T h e s e d a t a w e r e c o m p ile d fr o m
b u d g e t r e p o r ts , r e p o r t s o f d e p a r t m e n t s o f p u b lic w e l
f a re , b o a r d s o f c o n tr o l, a n d o t h e r o fficia l s o u rc e s .
S in c e c o m p a r a b le d a t a w e r e n o t a v a ila b le f o r p r i v a t e l y s u p p o r t e d i n s t i t u t i o n s o r fo r F e d e r a l a n d lo c a l i n s t i t u 
tio n s , i t w a s a s s u m e d t h a t t h e S t a t e i n s t i t u t i o n s r e p r e 
s e n te d t y p i c a l o r a t l e a s t a v e r a g e i n s t i t u t i o n a l u n its .

Ta bl e 16.—

A verage

r e s id e n ts in

and

a g g re g a te

in c o m e s

o f in s titu tio n a l

seve n ty p e s o f in s titu tio n a l g r o u p , 1 9 3 5 -3 6

I n s titu tio n a l
r e s id e n ts
T y p e o f i n s tit u t io n a l g r o u p
N um ber

I n s ti tu ti o n s for:
M e n ta l d e f e c t i v e s . .............
P h y s i c a l d e fe c tiv e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P ris o n e rs a n d d e lin q u e n t
a d u lt s _____ _ . . _____
D e p e n d e n t a n d d e lin q u e n t

P er
cen t

A ver
age in 
com e
p er
r es i
dent

563.000
101.000

2 8 .2
5 .0

$143
406

207.000

10.4

160.000
169,000

8 .0
8 .4

1, 20 0,000

A g g r e g a te in c o m e

A m ount
(in t h o u 
sa n d s )

P er
cent

$8 0,500
4 1 ,0 00

11.1
5 .7

151

31,200

4 .3

197
177

3 1 ,5 00
29, 900

4 .4
4 .1

6 0 .0

$178

$214, 100

2 9 .6

515,000

2 5 .8

$486

$250,200

3 4 .5

285, 000

1 4 .2

912

26 0,000

3 5 .9

_______

80 0,000

4 0 .0

$638

$510, 200

70 .4

A ll in s titu tio n a l g r o u p s _______

2, 000, 000

10 0.0

$362

$724, 300

10 0.0

Q u a s i-in s titu tio n a l g ro u p s:
C i v ilia n C o n s e r v a tio n C orp s
a n d la b o r c a m p s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M il ita r y a n d n a v a l p o s ts
T o ta l ________

D a t a o n s u b s is te n c e c o s ts a n d w a g e p a y m e n t s fo r
m e m b e rs o f t h e C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a ti o n C o r p s i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6
w e re s u p p lie d b y t h a t a g e n c y a n d b y t h e A n n u a l
R e p o r t s o f t h e D i r e c t o r o f E m e r g e n c y C o n s e r v a tio n
W o r k ; th o s e f o r e n lis te d A r m y a n d N a v y m e n w e re
o b t a in e d f r o m t h e c o m m i tt e e h e a r in g s o n t h e N a v y
D e p a r t m e n t a n d M i l i t a r y E s t a b l i s h m e n t A p p r o p r ia 
tio n b ills fo r 1937 a n d 1938. I n a s m u c h a s n o d a t a w e re
a v a ila b le o n t h e in c o m e s o f w o rk e rs i n l a b o r c a m p s o r

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

33

o f c re w s o n v e s s e ls , t h e p e r c a p i t a fig u r e s f o r C . C . C .
e n ro lle e s a n d f o r A r m y a n d N a v y p e r s o n n e l, r e s p e c 
tiv e ly , w e r e u s e d a s a p p ly in g r o u g h ly to th e s e tw o
g r o u p s a s w ell.

C o m p u t e d o n t h e b a s is d e s c r ib e d a b o v e ,1 w h ic h p r e 
s u m a b ly r e s u l ts i n s o m e u n d e r e s t im a t i o n , t h e a v e r a g e
in c o m e s o f p e r s o n s i n i n s t i t u t i o n s o f v a r io u s t y p e s w e re
f o u n d to b e v e r y s i m ila r , w it h t h e c o n s p ic u o u s e x c e p 

T h e a v e r a g e in c o m e p e r r e s i d e n t o f i n s t i t u t i o n s
p r o p e r r e p r e s e n t s a v e r a g e s u b s is te n c e c o s ts , e x c lu s iv e
o f a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o v e r h e a d a n d c a p i t a l o u t l a y s b y th e
i n s t i t u t i o n . T h e i m p u t e d v a lu e o f fo o d p r o d u c e d b y
t h e i n s t i t u t i o n s h a s b e e n in c lu d e d i n c o s ts f o r s u b s is 
te n c e , b u t n o v a lu e w a s a s c r ib e d to i n s t i t u t i o n a l la b o r
i n m a k in g c lo th in g f o r t h e r e s id e n ts . N o a t t e m p t w a s
m a d e t o a s c r ib e a n i m p u t e d v a lu e f o r h o u s in g , a lt h o u g h
e x p e n s e s f o r t h e m a i n t e n a n c e a n d u p k e e p o f b u i ld in g s
a n d g r o u n d s w e re in c lu d e d . I n s t i t u t i o n a l e x p e n d itu r e s
fo r m e d ic a l s e rv ic e , e d u c a ti o n , a n d r e c r e a ti o n w e re
e x c lu d e d f r o m t h e e s t im a t e s o f t h e p e r s o n a l in c o m e s o f
t h e r e s id e n ts , o n t h e a s s u m p ti o n t h a t t h e s e rv ic e s
r e c e iv e d w e r e c o m p a r a b le t o th o s e re c e iv e d b y fa m ilie s
f r o m fre e c lin ic s, p u b lic s c h o o ls , lib r a r ie s , a n d r e c r e a 
t io n a l f a c ilitie s , t h e v a lu e o f w h ic h w a s n o t in c lu d e d
i n t h e e s t im a t e s o f fa m ily in c o m e . i

tio n o f t h e p h y s ic a l d e fe c tiv e s , w h o s e a v e r a g e in c o m e
w a s $ 4 0 6 a s c o n t r a s t e d w it h t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e o f
$ 1 7 8 f o r t h e c o m b in e d g ro u p s . T h e a v e r a g e in c o m e s
o f m e m b e r s o f t h e q u a s i - i n s ti t u t i o n a l g ro u p s w e re
n a t u r a l l y s o m e w h a t h ig h e r — $ 4 8 6 fo r th o s e i n C iv ilia n
C o n s e r v a ti o n C o r p s a n d la b o r c a m p s a n d $ 9 1 2 fo r
th o s e o n v e s s e ls o r i n A r m y a n d N a v y p o s ts . T h e
c o m b in e d in c o m e s o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s w e r e e s t i 
m a t e d a t a p p r o x im a t e ly $ 7 2 4 m illio n . N o in c o m e d is 
t r i b u t i o n w a s c a lc u la t e d f o r t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u l a 
tio n , f o r re a s o n s e x p la in e d i n P a r t I .
T h e a b o v e e s t im a t e s a r e n e c e s s a ri ly r o u g h , b e c a u s e o f
t h e in c o m p le te n e s s a n d h e t e r o g e n e i t y o f t h e d a t a
a v a ila b le fo r c o m p ilin g t h e m a n d b e c a u s e o f t h e a b s e n c e
o f a n y in f o r m a ti o n o n in c o m e s re c e iv e d , e it h e r i n c a s h o r
k in d , f r o m o t h e r t h a n i n s t i t u t i o n a l s o u r c e s . N e v e r t h e 
les s, t h e e s t im a t e s s e r v e a s a r o u g h m e a s u r e o f t h e in c o m e
s t a t u s o f t h i s m in o r g r o u p o f c o n s u m e rs , a n d c o m p le te
t h e p i c t u r e o f c o n s u m e r in c o m e s i n t h e U n i t e d S ta te s .

i F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n o f s o u r ce s o f d a ta a n d m e th o d s u s e d , s e e A p p e n d ix A ,
s ec . 9.

PART III
COM PARI SON W I TH OTHER I NCOM E STUDIES

H E S E fig u r e s o n t h e in c o m e s re c e iv e d b y A m e ric a n
c o n s u m e r s im m e d ia t e l y c a ll fo r c o m p a r is o n w i t h
t h e r e s u l ts o f o t h e r in c o m e s tu d ie s . T w o m a j o r
q u e s t i o n s a r e o f i n t e r e s t i n t h i s c o n n e c tio n : F i r s t , h o w
d o th e s e e s t im a t e s f o r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 c o m p a r e w i t h p r e v io u s
e s t im a t e s o f t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f in c o m e a m o n g t h e
A m e r ic a n p e o p le ? A n d , s e c o n d , h o w d o t h e y c o m p a re
w it h o t h e r e s t im a t e s o f t h e N a t i o n ’s in c o m e f o r t h e s a m e

T

1 2 - m o n th p e r io d ?
A n s w e rs to t h e f ir s t q u e s tio n , if t h e y w e r e a v a ila b le ,
w o u ld b e o f n o t a b l e s ig n ific a n c e a n d v a lu e . B u t so
l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n h a s h i t h e r t o b e e n g iv e n t o t h e c o n s u m p 
tio n a s p e c t s o f o u r e c o n o m y t h a t t h e m a t e r i a l is n o t o n
h a n d t o p r o v id e e v e n t e n t a t i v e a n s w e rs .
A s i n d i c a t e d i n t h e f ir s t p a g e s o f t h i s r e p o r t , t h e r e is
o n ly o n e p r e v io u s s t u d y o f t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f in c o m e
p r e s e n t i n g e s t im a t e s o n a fa m ily o r c o n s u m e r u n i t
b a s is . T h is is t h e s t u d y f o r 1929 p r e p a r e d b y t h e
B r o o k in g s I n s t i t u t i o n . 1 U n f o r t u n a t e l y , i t is n o t p o s 
s ib le t o m a k e a s a t i s f a c t o r y c o m p a r is o n w i t h th e
B r o o ld n g s fig u re s . D iff e re n c e s i n t h e d a t a a v a ila b le
f o r p r e p a r i n g t h e e s t im a t e s a n d in t h e m e t h o d s u s e d in
t h e i r c o n s t r u c ti o n r e s u l t i n a w id e d is c r e p a n c y b e tw e e n
t h e tw o s tu d ie s w h ic h c a n n o t b e a c c o u n te d f o r i n t e r m s
o f d iffe re n c e s in d e f in iti o n s o f in c o m e u s e d o r in t h e size
o f t h e n a t i o n a l in c o m e i n t h e 2 y e a r s .12 S in c e i t is im 
p o s s ib le t o t e l l h o w a n d w h e re t h i s d is c r e p a n c y a ffe c ts
t h e c u r v e s o f in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n , i t is im p o s s ib le to
m a k e a llo w a n c e f o r i t in c o m p a r in g t h e 1929 d i s t r i b u 
t i o n w i t h t h a t f o r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 . F o r k n o w le d g e o f th e
v a r i a t i o n s i n in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f r o m o n e y e a r to
a n o t h e r w e m u s t a w a i t t h e r e s u l ts o f f u r t h e r i n v e s t ig a 
tio n .
1 A m e r ic a ' s C a p a c ity to C o n s u m e .
2 T h e m a g n i tu d e o f th i s d is c r e p a n cy a p p e a r s to b e in th e n e ig h b o r h o o d o f $7 b illion .
T h e a g g r e g a te c o n s u m e r in c o m e for 1929, a s e s t im a te d b y B ro o k in g s, is a lm o s t $33
b i llio n h ig h e r th a n th e a g gr e ga te for 1935-36 s h o w n b y t h e p r es e n t s t u d y — $93 b illio n

a s c o m p a r e d w i t h $60 b illio n . T h e m a jo r p a r t o f th i s d iffe r en c e is a c c o u n te d for b y
t h e d iffe r e n c e i n t h e s iz e o f t h e n a tio n a l in c o m e i n t h e 2 y e a r s —a b o u t $20 b illio n a s
m e a s u r e d b y th e D e p a r tm e n t o f C o m m e r c e e s tim a te s o f in c o m e p a id o u t. (N a th a n ,
R o b e r t R . , a n d C o n e , F r e d e r ic k M ., M o n t h l y I n c o m e P a y m e n t s i n t h e U n i t e d
S u r v e y o f C u r re n t B u s in e s s , F e b r u a r y 1938.) A n a d d itio n a l $6.2
b illio n is d u e t o th e in c lu s io n i n th e B r o o k in g s e s tim a te o f c a p ita l g a in s fro m th e sa le
o f s e c u r itie s a n d o th er a ss e ts . S u c h p r o fits w e r e n o t c o n s id e re d a s a n ite m o f in c o m e
i n t h e p r e s e n t s tu d y . W h ile a fe w m in o r d iffer en ce s in it e m s c o v e r e d b y th e tw o e s ti
S ta te s , 1 9 2 9 -3 7 ,

m a te s c a n a ls o b e id e n tif ie d , th o s e in c l u d e d i n th e p r es e n t s t u d y s li g h t ly e x c e ed in
a m o u n t th o s e in c lu d e d i n t h e B r o o k in g s e s tim a te . T h e r e r e m a in s , th e re fo r e, a
■ difference o f a b o u t $7 b i llio n w h i c h c a n n o t b e s p e c ific a lly a c c o u n te d for.

34

National Income in 1935-36
A n s w e rs to t h e s e c o n d q u e s t i o n r a is e d a b o v e a re ,
h o w e v e r, f a i r l y r e a d i l y o b ta in e d . M u c h a t t e n t i o n h a s
b e e n g iv e n i n r e c e n t y e a r s to t h e m e a s u r e m e n t o f n a 
tio n a l in c o m e f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f t h e p r o d u c tio n
o f g o o d s a n d s e rv ic e s b y v a r io u s d iv is io n s o f i n d u s t r y ,
a n d t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e t o t a l p r o d u c t a c c o r d in g to
v a r io u s t y p e s o f in c o m e p a y m e n t . T h e s e e s t im a t e s a re ,
o f c o u rs e , b a s e d o n d a t a d r a w n f r o m e n t i r e ly d if f e r e n t
s o u r c e s t h a n th o s e u s e d i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y o f in c o m e s
re c e iv e d b y c o n s u m e rs . B u t t h e r e s u l ts o f t h e tw o a p 
p r o a c h e s s h o u ld n o n e t h e le s s b e i n h a r m o n y , w h e n a l 
lo w a n c e is m a d e f o r c e r ta i n n e c e s s a r y d iffe re n c e s i n t h e
ite m s o f in c o m e c o v e re d . C o m p a r is o n o f t h e p r e s e n t
e s t im a t e s o f a g g r e g a te c o n s u m e r in c o m e w i t h th e s e
e s t im a t e s o f n a t i o n a l in c o m e p r o d u c e d a n d p a i d o u t
p r o v id e s a u s e fu l a n d s ig n if ic a n t c h e c k o n t h e r e l ia b il i ty
o f t h e fig u re s p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s r e p o r t.
D e p a r tm e n t o j C o m m e rc e E s tim a te s : F o r a m e a su re of
t h e s iz e o f t h e n a t i o n a l in c o m e p r o d u c e d w e c a n t u r n
to t h e e s t im a t e s p r e p a r e d b y t h e U n i te d S t a t e s D e p a r t 
m e n t o f C o m m e rc e .
F o r t h e 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d f r o m
J u l y 1 935 t h r o u g h J u n e 1 93 6 , t h e t o t a l in c o m e p r o d u c e d
b y t h e N a t i o n , a s e s t im a t e d b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t , w a s
$ 5 9 ,5 8 4 m illio n .3
B e fo re t h i s fig u r e c a n b e c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e e s t i m a t e
o f a g g r e g a te c o n s u m e r in c o m e — $ 5 9 ,9 8 3 m illio n — a llo w 
a n c e m u s t b e m a d e f o r d iffe re n c e s i n t h e m e t h o d s u s e d
i n t h e tw o c o m p u t a t i o n s . T h e l a r g e s t s o u r c e o f d if fe r 
e n c e a ri s e s f r o m t h e f a c t t h a t t h e e s t i m a t e o f t h e
D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m m e rc e d o e s n o t c o u n t a s in c o m e t h e
i m p u t e d n e t r e n t a l v a lu e o f o w n e d h o m e s o c c u p ie d b y
t h e i r o w n e rs , w h e r e a s t h i s i t e m is in c lu d e d i n th e
e s t im a t e s o f f a m i l y in c o m e s p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s r e p o r t.
I n a d d i ti o n , t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m m e rc e h a s , b e c a u s e
o f t h e n a t u r e o f t h e d a t a u s e d i n c o m p ilin g i t s e s t im a t e ,
o m i tt e d s e v e r a l s m a ll i te m s o f in c o m e w h ic h a r e in c lu d e d
in t h e c o n s u m e r in c o m e fig u r e s — t h a t is , e a r n in g s fr o m
b o a r d e r s a n d lo d g e r s a n d fr o m o d d jo b s , a n d b o n u s e s
3
E s t im a te s u p p l ie d b y n a tio n a l in c o m e s e c t io n o f th e D i v is i o n o f E c o n o m i c R e 
sea rc h , B u r e a u o f F o r e ig n a n d D o m e s ti c C o m m e r c e , b a s e d o n m o n th l y in c o m e
p a y m e n ts for t h e 12 m o n t h s c o v e r e d a n d o n th e e s tim a te d s h a r e o f 1935 a n d 1936
b u s in e s s s a v in g s a p p lic a b le to th e s a m e 1 2 -m o n th p e r iod .
F o r fig u r es o n in c o m e
p a y m e n ts , s ee M o n t h l y I n c o m e P a y m e n t s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , 1 9 2 9 - 3 7 .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

35

p a i d t o e m p lo y e e s . A r o u g h e s t im a t e o f t h e m a g n i t u d e
o f th e s e o m itte d ite m s in d ic a te s t h a t th e y a m o u n t to
a p p r o x im a t e ly $3% b il lio n .4
F u r t h e r m o r e , t o e ffe c t a c o m p a ri s o n , d e d u c tio n s

p e n d e n t e s t im a t e s o f t h e N a t i o n ’s e c o n o m ic a c t i v i t y
fo r th e y e a r, p re p a re d fro m e n tire ly s e p a r a te so u rc es
o f d a t a , t h i s d is c r e p a n c y d o e s n o t a p p e a r e x c e s s iv e .
R a t h e r , i t s e e m s c a u s e f o r s o m e w h a t g r e a t e r c o n fid e n c e

m u s t b e m a d e f r o m b o t h a g g r e g a te s . A llo w a n c e m u s t
b e m a d e i n t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m m e r c e fig u r e fo r
in c o m e p r o d u c e d t h a t d id n o t r e a c h t h e h a n d s o f c o n 
s u m e r s d u r in g t h e y e a r c o v e re d , b u t w a s r e t a i n e d a s
s a v in g s b y c o r p o r a tio n s o r h e ld a s d iv id e n d s a n d i n t e r e s t
b y s a v in g s i n s t i t u t i o n s . A d e d u c t i o n m u s t a ls o b e
m a d e i n t h e e s t i m a t e o f a g g r e g a te c o n s u m e r in c o m e ,
s in c e s o m e i te m s o f in c o m e w e r e n e c e s s a ri ly c o u n te d
tw ic e i n p r e p a r i n g t h i s e s t im a t e — f ir s t, i n t h e in c o m e o f
t h e f a m i l y o r i n d i v i d u a l o r ig in a lly r e c e iv in g t h e i te m ,
a n d s e c o n d , i n t h e in c o m e o f t h e f a m ily o r i n d iv id u a l to
w h o m i t w a s tr a n s f e r r e d .
G if ts o f m o n e y m a d e b y o n e
fa m ily t o a n o t h e r a n d d i r e c t r e lie f s u p p lie d b y t h e c o m 
m u n i t y t o p a r t o f t h e p o p u la t io n a r e e x a m p le s o f s u c h
d o u b le c o u n tin g . T h e s e tw o s e t s o f d e d u c tio n s a r e o f
a p p r o x im a t e ly e q u a l m a g n i t u d e — a b o u t $ 1 ,1 0 0 m illio n
f o r t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m m e rc e a d j u s t m e n t 6 a n d
$ 1 ,2 0 0 m illi o n f o r t h e a d j u s t m e n t o f c o n s u m e r in c o m e .6
T h u s t h e d iff e re n c e b e tw e e n t h e tw o m e a s u r e s o f
n a t i o n a l in c o m e , a f t e r t h e y a r e p la c e d o n a c o m p a r a b le
b a s is , is i n t h e n e ig h b o r h o o d o f $3 b illio n — t h e e s t im a t e
o f in c o m e r e c e iv e d b y c o n s u m e r s fa lli n g a b o u t 5 p e r 
c e n t b e lo w t h a t f o r in c o m e p r o d u c e d . I n v ie w o f t h e
f a c t t h a t t h e tw o fig u r e s r e p r e s e n t e n t i r e ly in d e -

i n b o t h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m m e rc e fig u r e s a n d
th o s e p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s r e p o r t .

4

T h is e s tim a te , a m o u n tin g t o $3,278 m illio n , w a s o b ta in e d b y a d d in g th e fo llo w in g

fo u r ite m s :
(1) $2,378 m illio n for i m p u te d n e t r e n t a l v a lu e o f o w n e d h o m e s o c c u p ie d b y th e ir
o w n e r s . (P r e lim i n a r y e s t im a t e o f N a t io n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m i tte e , b a s e d o n in c o m e
d i s tr ib u ti o n s p r e s e n te d in th i s s t u d y a n d e x p e n d itu r e d a ta fr o m S t u d y o f C o n su m e r
P u r c h a se s .)
(2) $500 m i ll io n for e a r n in g s fr o m o d d jo b s . (B a s e d o n B r o o k in g s I n s ti tu ti o n
e s t im a te o f $700 m i ll io n for 1929, A m e r i c a ’ s C a p a c i t y t o C o n s u m e , p . 163.)
(3) $300 m illio n for e a r n in g s fr o m b o a rd e rs a n d lo d g e rs .
(P r e l im in a r y a p p r o x im a 
ti o n m a d e b y N a t io n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m it te e fro m fa m ily i n c o m e d a t a fr o m S t u d y
o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s.)
(4) $100 m illio n for b o n u s e s p a id t o e m p lo y e e s .

(B a s e d o n p r e lim in a r y ta b u l a t io n s

N a t i o n a l I n d u s t r i a l C o n je r e n c e B o a r d E s t im a te s : I n
a d d i t i o n t o t h e c o m p a r is o n w i t h t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f
C o m m e rc e e s t i m a t e s o f in c o m e p r o d u c e d , i t i s p o s s ib le
t o c h e c k t h e r e s u l ts o f t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y a g a i n s t in c o m e
e s t im a t e s p r e p a r e d b y t h e N a t i o n a l I n d u s t r i a l C o n 
fe re n c e B o a r d . T h e s e e s t i m a t e s m e a s u r e t h e r e a li z e d
in c o m e re c e iv e d b y t h e N a t i o n a s a w h o le a n d i n t h e
v a r io u s S t a t e s f r o m c u r r e n t p r o d u c ti o n a n d fr o m
s e v e r a l o t h e r i t e m s w h ic h a r e “ a c c o u n t a b l e ” w i t h t h e
e x is tin g d a t a .

S in c e t h e e s t im a t e s a r e a v a ila b le o n ly o n a c a le n d a r
y e a r b a s is , a n a v e r a g e o f t h e 2 y e a r s 1 9 3 5 a n d 1 936 h a s
b e e n u s e d t o r e p r e s e n t t h e 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d c o v e r e d b y
th e p re s e n t s tu d y . T h e n a tio n a l to ta ls sh o w n b y th e
C o n fe re n c e B o a r d f o r t h e 2 y e a r s a v e r a g e a p p r o x im a t e ly
$ 5 9 % b i l l i o n 7— a fig u r e a lm o s t i d e n ti c a l w i t h t h e C o m 
m e r c e e s t i m a t e o f in c o m e p r o d u c e d f o r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 . T h e
tw o t o t a l s d o n o t , h o w e v e r, c o v e r w h o ll y i d e n ti c a l i te m s
o f in c o m e , a n d t h e a d j u s t m e n t s n e e d e d t o p la c e t h e
C o n fe re n c e B o a r d e s t im a t e s o n a c o m p a r a b le b a s is w it h
t h e e s t im a t e o f c o n s u m e r in c o m e d if fe r s o m e w h a t fr o m
th o s e r e q u i r e d f o r t h e c o m p a r is o n w i t h t h e C o m m e rc e
fig u re s .
W h e n th e s e a d j u s t m e n t s a r e m a d e , t h e C o n fe re n c e
B o a r d fig u r e s a n d th o s e s h o w n b y t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y a r e
f o u n d t o b e i n s u r p r is in g ly c lo s e a g r e e m e n t. T h e e s t i 
m a t e o f in c o m e s r e c e iv e d b y c o n s u m e r s fa lls b e lo w t h e
n a t i o n a l in c o m e e s t i m a t e o f t h e B o a r d b y a l i t t l e o v e r $1
b illio n , o r b y a p p r o x im a t e ly 2 p e r c e n t.8 T h is c o r r e 
s p o n d e n c e is , in d e e d , so c lo se a s to s u g g e s t t h a t i t is to *123

o f d a ta o b t a in e d b y B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a ti s ti c s for th e y e a r 1936, q u o te d b y R o b e r t
R . N a t h a n in N a t i o n a l I n c o m e , 1 9 2 9 - 8 6 , U . S . D e p a r tm e n t o f C o m m e r c e , p . 18.)
6 T h is e s tim a te , a m o u n tin g to $1,117 m illio n , w a s o b ta in e d b y a d d in g th e fo llo w in g

l
M a r tin , R o b e r t F ., R e a l i z e d N a t i o n a l I n c o m e , 1 9 0 9 - 8 5 , N a t io n a l I n d u s tr ia l C o n 
fere n ce B o a r d B u ll e ti n , v o l. X I , N o . 5, A p r il 19, 1937; i d e m , T h e N a t i o n a l I n c o m e i n

tw o ite m s :
(1) $117 m illio n for c o rp o ra te s a v in g s .

(E s ti m a te s u p p lie d b y th e n a tio n a l in co m e

1 9 3 6 a n d 1 9 3 7 , N a t io n a l I n d u s tr ia l C o n fe r en c e B o a r d B u ll e ti n , v o l. X I I , N o . 2,
F e b r u a r y 17, 1938.

s e c tio n o f t h e D e p a r tm e n t o f C o m m e rc e. B u s in e s s s a v in g s o f fa rm ers a n d o th e r
i n d iv id u a l e n tre p r e n e u r s w e re in c l u d e d i n t h e c o n su m e r in c o m e fig u r es a n d h e n c e

s T h is e s tim a t e , a m o u n t in g to $1,276 m illio n , w a s o b t a in e d b y fir st s u b tr a c tin g
fr o m th e a v e r a g e o f th e C o n fe r en c e B o a r d e s tim a t e s for 1935 a n d 1936 ($59,463 m illio n )

d o n o t n e e d to b e d e d u c te d fr o m th e e s t im a t e o f in c o m e p r o d u c e d i n c o m p a rin g
th e tw o e stim a te s .)
(2) $1,000 m illio n for in te r e s t a n d d i v id e n d s r e c eiv ed b y s a v in g s b a n k s , b u ild in g a n d

t h e fo llo w in g th r e e i t e m s :
(1) $1,000 m i ll io n for in te r e s t a n d d iv id e n d s r e c e iv e d b y a ss o c ia tio n s o f i n d iv id u a ls .

lo a n a s s o cia tio n s , life in s u ra n ce c o m p a n ie s , a n d s im ila r a s s o cia tio n s o f in d i v id u a ls
a n d n o t p a id o u t to in d iv id u a ls .
(E s tim a t e d a s h a lf o f t h e to t a l o f th e s e r ec e ip ts, o n
th e a s s u m p t io n th a t t h e r e m a in in g h a l f w a s p a id o u t to in d i v id u a ls a s in te r e s t o n
s a v in g s d e p o s its , in s u r a n c e d i v id e n d s , a n d o th e r it e m s o f in c o m e . T h e t o t a l o f th e s e
r e c e ip ts w a s e s tim a te d a s a b o u t o n e -fo u r th o f a ll d iv id e n d s a n d i n t e r e s t p a y m e n t s
m a d e d u r in g th e 1 2 -m o n th p e rio d c o v e r e d .

S ee N a t i o n a l I n c o m e i n th e U n i t e d S t a t e s ,

1 9 2 9 - 3 5 , U . S . D e p a r tm e n t o f C o m m e r c e , p p . 54-55, a n d M o n t h l y I n c o m e P a y m e n t s
i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , 1 9 2 9 - 3 7 .)

6 T h is e s tim a te , a m o u n tin g to $1,213 m ill io n , w a s o b ta in e d b y a d d in g th e fo llo w in g
th r e e ite m s :
(1) $899 m i ll io n for d ire ct r e lie f i n c a s h a n d k in d r e c e iv e d b y fa m ilie s a n d s in g le
in d iv id u a ls . (S e e ta b le 5 A .)
(2) $214 m illio n fo r s u b s is te n c e a n d ca re s u p p l ie d to r e s id e n ts o f i n s t it u t io n s for
m e n ta l a n d p h y s ic a l d e fe c tiv e s , d e p e n d e n t a n d d e lin q u e n t c h ild r e n a n d d e p e n d e n t
a d u lt s , a n d to in m a te s o f p r iso n s a n d re fo rm a to r ie s . (S e e ta b le 16.)
(3) $100 m illio n for g ifts in c a s h r e c e iv e d b y fa m ilie s a n d in d iv id u a ls a n d u s e d for
c u r r en t l iv i n g e x p e n s e s . (R o u g h a p p ro x im a tio n m a d e for p u r p o s e s o f th is s t u d y .)

(S e e fo o tn o te 5.)
(2) $937 m i ll io n for h a l f o f 1936 s o ld ie r s ’ b o n u s p a y m e n ts . T h e s e p a y m e n t s ,
a m o u n tin g t o $1,873 m i ll io n for th e y e a r 1936, w e r e in c l u d e d in th e C o n fe r en c e B o a r d
e s t im a t e b u t n o t c o u n te d a s i n c o m e (w i th m in o r e x c e p tio n s) i n th e p r es e n t s tu d y .
(3) $899 m i ll io n fo r d ir e c t r e l ie f r e c e iv e d b y fa m ilie s a n d s in g le i n d iv id u a ls , w h i c h
w a s in c lu d e d i n t h e C o n fe r e n c e B o a r d e s tim a t e s a n d i n t h e e s t im a t e s p r e s e n te d i n th e
p r e s e n t s t u d y , b u t w h i c h r ep r es e n ts a tr a n s fe r o f in c o m e a m o n g c o n s u m e rs .

(E s ti 

m a te u s e d i n p r e s e n t s t u d y . S e e fo o tn o te 6.)
T h e a d ju s te d e s t im a t e t h u s o b ta in e d ($56,627 m illio n ) w a s fu r th e r a d ju s te d b y
a d d in g t h e fo llo w in g t w o ite m s :
(1) $3,278 m i ll io n for t h e fo u r it e m s o f in c o m e s h o w n i n fo o tn o te 4, w h i c h w e r e n o t
c o v e r e d i n t h e C o n fe r en c e B o a r d e s tim a te s .
(2) $141 m i llio n for b u s i n e s s s a v in g s o f in d iv id u a l e n tr e p r e n e u r s in in d u s t r ie s o th e r
th a n a g r icu ltu r e . S u c h s a v in g s w e r e n o t c o v e r e d i n th e C o n fe r en c e B o a r d e s t im a te s ,
b u t w e r e in c l u d e d i n t h e c o n s u m e r in c o m e fig u r es . (A v e r a g e o f e s t im a t e s for 1935
a n d 1936 s u p p lie d b y t h e n a t io n a l i n c o m e s e c tio n o f th e D e p a r tm e n t o f C o m m e r c e .)
T h e r e s u ltin g fig u r e ($60,046 m illio n ) i s $1,276 m i ll io n h ig h e r th a n th e a d ju s te d
e s t im a te o f a g gr e ga te c o n su m e r in c o m e .

($58,770 m i llio n .

S e e fo o tn o te 6.)

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

36
s o m e d e g re e a c c i d e n t a l — d u e , t h a t is , t o c o m p e n s a ti n g
d is c r e p a n c ie s i n t h e v a r io u s c o m p o n e n t fig u r e s e n te r in g
i n t o t h e n a t i o n a l t o t a ls .

Regional Division of Income in 1935-36
T h is s u g g e s tio n is , i n f a c t , b o r n e o u t b y e x a m in a tio n
o f t h e d iv is io n o f t h e tw o n a t i o n a l a g g r e g a te s b y g e o 
g r a p h i c re g io n s . I n b u ild in g u p t h e e s t im a t e s o f c o n 
s u m e r in c o m e s , t h e d a t a fo r s in g le in d iv id u a ls a n d
i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s w e r e c la ss ifie d , f o r c o n v e n ie n c e
in h a n d lin g , i n t o t h e s a m e fiv e r e g io n a l a r e a s u s e d in
p r e p a r i n g t h e e s t im a t e s o f f a m ily in c o m e s . T h e c h o ic e
o f th e s e re g io n s , a s in d i c a t e d i n t h e p r e c e d in g d is c u s s io n ,
w a s d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e lo c a ti o n o f t h e s a m p le c o m m u n i
tie s c o v e re d b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .9 T h e
t o t a l in c o m e re c e iv e d b y a ll c o n s u m e r s w it h i n e a c h
r e g io n c o u ld th e r e f o r e b e c o m p u te d .
T h is re g io n a l b r e a k - d o w n is n e c e s s a ri ly o n a v e r y
r o u g h b a s is , f o r t h e s a m p le d a t a o n c o n s u m e r in c o m e s
w e re f a r t o o l i m it e d t o g iv e a d e q u a t e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n to
e v e r y s e c tio n o f t h e c o u n tr y . T h e r e s u l ts n e v e r th e le s s
p r o v id e a u s e fu l c h e c k a g a i n s t t h e c o r re s p o n d in g
r e g io n a l fig u r e s f r o m t h e C o n fe re n c e B o a r d s t u d i e s .10i
S in c e t h e C o n fe re n c e B o a r d p r e s e n t s s e p a r a t e e s t im a t e s
o f t h e in c o m e r e c e iv e d i n e a c h S t a t e , i t is p o s s ib le to
c o m b in e t h e v a r io u s S t a t e t o t a l s t o fi t t h e re g io n a l
g ro u p in g s u s e d i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y . 11
T h e r e s u l t s o f t h i s r e g io n a l c o m p a r is o n s h o w a lm o s t
i d e n ti c a l p r o p o r t io n s o f t h e n a t i o n a l in c o m e t o t a l s f o r
t h e P a c ifi c R e g io n a n d f o r t h e S t a t e s i n t h e M o u n t a i n
a n d P la i n s R e g io n . F o r t h e S o u th e r n S ta t e s , h o w e v e r,
t h e e s t im a t e s o f c o n s u m e r in c o m e s s h o w n b y t h i s s t u d y
9 S e e p p . 4 1 -4 2 a n d m a p s h o w n in c h a rt 10.
S la u g h te r , J o h n A ., I n c o m e R e c e i v e d i n t h e V a r i o u s S t a t e s , 1 9 2 9 - 8 5 , N a t io n a l
I n d u s tr ia l C o n fe r en c e B o a r d B u ll e ti n , v o l. X I , N o . 5 , A p r il 19, 1937; i d e m , I n c o m e
R e c e i v e d i n t h e V a r i o u s S t a t e s , 1 9 8 6 a n d 1 9 8 7 , N a t io n a l I n d u s tr ia l C o n fe r en c e B o a r d
B u ll e ti n , v o l. X I I , N o . 2, F e b r u a r y 17, 1938.
ii A d j u s tm e n ts o f t h e r e g io n a l fig u r es for t h e tw o s tu d i e s to p la c e th e m o n a c o m p a ra 
b l e b a s is w i t h r e s p e c t t o i te m s o f in c o m e c o v e r e d c o u l d n o t b e m a d e . I t is p r o b a b le ,
h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u t io n o f th e n a tio n a l to t a ls b y re g io n w o u ld n o t
h a v e b e e n a p p r e c ia b ly a lte r e d i f s u c h a d ju s tm e n ts h a d b e e n m a d e .

r u n a p p r e c ia b l y h ig h e r t h a n t h e e s t im a t e s o f t h e C o n 
fe re n c e B o a r d — a b o u t 2 5 p e r c e n t o f t h e n a t i o n a l a g g re 
g a t e a s a g a i n s t t h e 21 p e r c e n t s h o w n b y t h e B o a r d
fig u re s . T h is d is c r e p a n c y is o ffs e t b y c o r re s p o n d in g ly
lo w e r p r o p o r t io n s o f t h e c o n s u m e r in c o m e t o t a l i n t h e
S t a t e s i n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e g io n a n d i n N e w
E n g l a n d . 12
W i t h t h e i n f o r m a ti o n n o w a t h a n d , i t is im p o s s ib le
to ju d g e t h e e x t e n t t o w h ic h th e s e d if fe r e n c e s r e f le c t
s h o r tc o m in g s i n t h e b a s ic d a t a a v a i la b l e f o r o n e o r
b o t h o f t h e s t u d i e s o f n a t i o n a l in c o m e . B u t t h e r e
s e e m s t o b e s o m e r e a s o n t o b e lie v e t h a t t h e r e s u l t s o f
t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y s o m e w h a t o v e r e s t i m a te t h e in c o m e s
o f c o n s u m e r s l iv in g i n t h e S o u t h t h r o u g h a n o v e r e s t i 
m a t e o f t h e in c o m e s o f r u r a l f a m ilie s .13 W h ile t h e t o t a l
a m o u n t o f t h e d is c r e p a n c y is n o t s u ffic ie n t t o a ff e c t
m a t e r i a l l y t h e in c o m e fig u r e s p r e s e n t e d f o r m o stg ro u p s o f t h e p o p u la t io n , t h e p o s s ib ility o f a n u p w a r d
b ia s i n t h e e s t i m a t e s s h o u ld b e k e p t in m i n d i n i n t e r 
p r e t i n g t h e r e s u l t s f o r t h e S o u th e r n .g r o u p s . T h is b ia s
m a y a ls o a ff e c t t o s o m e e x t e n t t h e e s t i m a t e s f o r a ll
f a r m fa m ilie s , s i n c e h a l f o f t h e f a r m p o p u la t io n re s id e s
i n t h e S o u th e r n S ta te s .
D e s p i te th e s e r e g io n a l d if fe re n c e s , t h e v a r io u s e s t i 
m a t e s o f t h e N a t i o n ’s in c o m e i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 s h o w , o n t h e
w h o le , a s t r i k i n g a n d e n c o u r a g in g c o n s is te n c y . C o n 
s i d e r a b le p ro g r e s s c a n u n d o u b t e d l y b e e x p e c te d d u r in g
t h e n e x t fe w y e a r s i n t h e m e a s u r e m e n t o f n a t i o n a l
in c o m e , f r o m b o t h t h e p r o d u c t i o n a n d t h e c o n s u m p tio n
a s p e c ts o f t h e e c o n o m y . T h e p r e s e n t s t u d y o f in c o m e
d i s t r i b u t i o n , i t is h o p e d , w ill h e lp t o s t i m u l a t e s u c h
i n v e s t ig a ti o n , a n d w ill p r o v id e a u s e fu l b a s is f o r c o m 
p a r is o n w i t h f u r t h e r s t u d i e s o f t h e in c o m e s o f t h e
A m e r ic a n p e o p le .
is T h e c o m p a r a tiv e fig u r e s tor e a c h r eg io n for th e tw o s t u d ie s a r e a s fo llo w s , th e
fig u r e s fo r t h e C o n fe r e n c e B o a r d a p p e a r in g first: P a c ific , 8 .7 p e r c e n t a n d 8 .7 p e r c e n t;
M o u n t a in a n d P la i n s , 5 .6 p e r c e n t a n d 5 .7 p e rc e n t; S o u th , 20 .8 p e r c e n t a n d 24 .6 p e rc e n t;
N o r th C e n tr a l, 5 6 .9 p e r c en t a n d 53.6 p e rc en t; a n d N e w E n g la n d , 8 .0 p e r c e n t a n d 7 .4
p e r c e n t.
13 S e e A p p e n d ix A , p p . 53 a n d 56.

A
PPEN
D I X —A
q—
— i ^—
SOURCES A N D M ETHODS USED IN THE STUDY
H E m a te r ia l p r e s e n te d in th is a p p e n d ix d e sc rib e s t h e s o u rc e s o f d a t a u s e d
a s a b a sis fo r p r e p a r in g t h e e s tim a te s o f in c o m e d is tr ib u tio n s h o w n in th e
p re c e d in g p a g e s, a n d t h e m e th o d s e m p lo y e d in c o n s tr u c tin g t h e e s tim a te s .
T h e p r o c e d u re s a d o p te d a t e a c h s ta g e o f t h e w o rk a r e s e t f o r t h in c o n s id e ra b le d e ta il,
so t h a t re a d e r s in te r e s te d in th e m o re te c h n ic a l a s p e c ts o f t h e s t u d y c a n i n t e r p r e t
a n d e v a lu a te t h e fin d in g s.

T

I n t h e fir s t s e c tio n o f t h i s a p p e n d ix , t h e m a jo r d e fin itio n s a n d c la ssific a tio n s
u s e d i n t h e s t u d y a r e b r o u g h t to g e th e r , fo r c o n v e n ie n c e i n re fe re n c e .
I n th e
s e c o n d s e c tio n , t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u rc h a s e s — t h e m a jo r s o u rc e o f b a s ic d a t a —
is b rie fly d e sc rib e d . T h e fo llo w in g s e c tio n s d is c u s s t h e c o n s tr u c tio n o f t h e s a m p le
d is tr ib u tio n s fo r v a rio u s g ro u p s o f th e p o p u la tio n , t h e m e th o d s u s e d to e x te n d th e m
t o c o v e r a ll o f th e A m e ric a n p e o p le , a n d t h e m e th o d s o f e s tim a tin g a v e ra g e a n d
a g g r e g a te in c o m e s.
37

A P P EN D I X A

CO NTENTS

Sec t ion 1.
Sec t ion 2 .
Sec t ion 3 .
Sec t ion 4 .
Sec t ion 5 .
Sec t ion 6 .
Sec t ion 7 .
Sec t ion 8 .
Sec t ion 9.

P age

D e f in iti o n s a n d C la s s if ic a tio n s U s e d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T h e S tu d y of C o n su m e r P u rc h a s e s __________________________________
T h e S a m p le D i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r N o n r e li e f F a m il i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T h e S a m p le D i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r R e li e f F a m il i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T h e S a m p le D i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r S in g le I n d i v i d u a l s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P o p u l a t i o n W e ig h ts f o r t h e S a m p le D i s t r i b u t i o n s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A d ju s tm e n t of In c o m e D is trib u tio n s b y D a ta fro m In c o m e T a x R e tu r n s . _
E s t i m a t e s o f A g g re g a te a n d A v e ra g e I n c o m e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
E s tim a te s o f th e In c o m e s o f th e I n s titu tio n a l P o p u la tio n _______________

LIST OF TABLES
Tabl e
Tabl e
Tabl e

Tabl e
Tabl e
Tabl e
Tabl e
Tabl e
Tabl e
Tabl e
Tabl e

40
45
53
60
67
71
80
88
90

Page

l A . S u m m a r y o f s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s u s e d
t o d is t r i b u t e n o n r e lie f f a m ily p o p u la t io n b y in c o m e le v e l ________
2 A . S u m m a r y o f t h e 6 7 6 s a m p le p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n re lie f
fa m ilie s a g a i n s t w h ic h p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts w e r e a p p l i e d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3 A . S u m m a r y o f s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s u s e d to
d i s t r i b u t e r e lie f fa m ily p o p u l a t i o n b y in c o m e l e v e l -------------------4 A . S u m m a r y o f t h e 53 s a m p le p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s fo r re lie f fa m ilie s
a g a i n s t w h ic h p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts w e r e a p p l i e d -----------------------5A . E s t i m a t e d a m o u n t s o f d i r e c t re lie f d i s t r i b u t e d in fiv e re g io n s , J u l y

55
58
61
63

193 5 t h r o u g h J u n e 1 9 3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
6 A . E s t i m a t e d a m o u n t s o f d i r e c t r e lie f d i s t r i b u t e d to “ u r b a n ” a n d to
r u r a l - t o w n p o p u l a t i o n i n fiv e re g io n s , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 -------------------------7A . E s t i m a t e d a m o u n t s o f d i r e c t r e lie f d i s t r i b u t e d t o f a m ilie s a n d t o s in g le
i n d i v i d u a l s i n “ u r b a n ” a n d i n r u r a l - t o w n a r e a s in fiv e re g io n s ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
8 A . P r o p o r t io n s o f n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n u r b a n fa m ilie s i n tw o c o lo rn a t i v i t y g r o u p s , b y r e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 _____
9 A . P e r c e n t o f f a m ilie s t h a t re c e iv e d r e lie f a t a n y t im e d u r i n g t h e y e a r , b y
r e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 --------------------------------1 0 A . C o m p a r is o n o f t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n t h e p o p u l a t i o n a n d n u m b e r
o f f a m ilie s i n in c o m e s a m p le f r o m S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , b y

63

r e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
11 A . C o m p a r is o n o f t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n t h e p o p u l a t i o n a n d n u m b e r
o f f a m ilie s i n in c o m e s a m p le f r o m S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , b y
c o l o r - n a ti v it y , re g io n , a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n ity , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 --------------

75

39

64

65
73
74

76

SECTI ON I.

DEFI NI TI ON S AN D CLA SSI FI CA TI O N S USED

T h e d e f in iti o n s a n d c o n c e p ts u s e d in t h e s t u d y a n d
t h e c la s s if ic a tio n s o f d a t a a d o p te d w e r e d e te r m in e d
b o th b y th e p u rp o se s of th e s tu d y a n d b y th e n a tu re of
t h e a v a ila b le d a t a . S in c e t h e e s t im a t e s o f fa m ily
in c o m e s a r e b a s e d m a i n l y o n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s , m a n y o f t h e d e f in iti o n s a n d c la s s if ic a tio n s
u s e d i n t h a t s t u d y h a v e b e e n c a r r ie d o v e r u n c h a n g e d
to t h e p r e s e n t r e p o r t.
T h e S p e n d in g U n it C o n c e p t

T h e e s t im a t e s o f in c o m e p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s r e p o r t w e re
p r e p a r e d p r i m a r i ly f o r u s e a s w e ig h ts in b u ild in g u p
e s t i m a t e s o f t h e c o n s u m p tio n d e m a n d s o f t h e A m e ric a n
p e o p le . T h e a n a ly s is h a s , th e r e f o r e , b e e n m a d e in
t e r m s o f s p e n d in g o r c o n s u m e r u n i t s r a t h e r t h a n in
t e r m s o f i n d i v i d u a l in c o m e re c ip ie n ts . T h r e e m a i n ty p e s
o f c o n s u m e r u n i t a r e d is tin g u is h e d i n t h e r e p o r t : T h e
f a m ily , t h e s in g le i n d i v i d u a l a n d t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l g ro u p .
S in c e t h e m a j o r i t y o f p e r s o n s liv e i n f a m ily g ro u p s ,
w it h e x p e n d itu r e s f o r fo o d , s h e lt e r , a n d m a n y o t h e r
c o m m o d itie s a n d s e r v ic e s i n c u r r e d j o i n t l y f o r a ll
m e m b e r s , t h e f a m i l y is t h e m a j o r e c o n o m ic u n i t d e t e r 
m in in g t h e u ti l i z a t i o n o f in c o m e f o r c o n s u m p tio n
p u r p o s e s . T h e f a m i l y , a s d e f in e d i n t h i s s t u d y , c o n s i s t s
o f tw o o r m o r e p e r s o n s l iv in g t o g e t h e r a s o n e e c o n o m ic
u n i t , h a v i n g a c o m m o n o r p o o le d in c o m e a n d liv in g
u n d e r a c o m m o n ro o f. U s u a lly , o f c o u rs e , m e m b e r s o f
t h e “ e c o n o m ic f a m i l y ” a r e r e l a t e d b y b lo o d , m a r r ia g e o r
a d o p tio n , b u t th e y m a y b e u n re la te d p e rso n s m a in ta in 
i n g a j o i n t h o m e , p r o v i d e d t h e y s h a r e a j o i n t in c o m e .
I n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h i s d e f in iti o n , s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s
l iv in g w i t h t h e i r p a r e n t s b u t p a y i n g f o r b o a r d a n d
lo d g in g a n d n o t p o o lin g t h e i r in c o m e s i n t h e c o m m o n
f a m ily f u n d a r e c la s s ifie d a s s in g le in d iv id u a ls , r a t h e r
t h a n a s m e m b e r s o f t h e f a m ily . O n t h e s a m e b a s is ,
so n s a n d d a u g h te rs a w a y a t sch ool o r fo r o th e r re a so n s
l iv in g a w a y f r o m h o m e f o r a ll o r p a r t o f t h e y e a r , b u t d e 
p e n d e n t o n t h e f a m i l y in c o m e f o r a t l e a s t t h r e e - q u a r t e r s
o f t h e i r s u p p o r t , a r e c la s s ifie d a s m e m b e r s o f t h e f a m ily .
T h is d e f in itio n o f t h e e c o n o m ic f a m ily fo llo w s t h a t
a d o p t e d in t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .1 I t
1 F o r a m o r e c o m p l e t e d e fin itio n o f th e “ e c o n o m ic ” fa m ily u n it , s e e r ep o r ts o n
S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s is s u e d b y t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s a n d th e
B u r e a u o f L a b o r S ta tis tic s .

40

s h o u ld b e n o t e d t h a t i t d iffe rs s o m e w h a t f r o m t h e
d e f in iti o n o f fa m ily u s e d b y t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s B u r e a u
o f t h e C e n s u s . I n t h e f i r s t p la c e , i t d e f in e s t h e fa m ily
a s c o n s is tin g o f tw o o r m o r e p e r s o n s , w h e r e a s t h e c e n s u s
c la ss ifie s p e r s o n s liv in g a lo n e — t h a t is , m a i n t a i n i n g
i n d e p e n d e n t h o u s e k e e p in g q u a r t e r s — a s o n e -p e rs o n
fa m ilie s . I n t h e s e c o n d p la c e , i t d e p a r t s f r o m t h e
c e n s u s p r a c t i c e i n c la s s if y in g a s s in g le in d i v i d u a l s s o n s
a n d d a u g h t e r s liv in g a s b o a r d e r s a n d lo d g e r s i n th e
h o m e s o f t h e i r p a r e n t s a n d n o t p o o lin g t h e i r in c o m e s in
t h e c o m m o n fa m ily f u n d .
T h e n u m b e r o f s u c h s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 is
e s t i m a t e d a s a p p r o x im a t e ly 4 0 0 ,0 0 0 o n t h e b a s is o f t h e
fa m ily s c h e d u le s o b t a in e d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s . T h e e li m i n a t i o n o f th e s e s o n s a n d d a u g h 
t e r s f r o m t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m ily m e m b e r s r e d u c e s
s l i g h tl y t h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f t h e e c o n o m ic f a m i l y a s
c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e c e n s u s f a m ily , b u t t h e e ffe c t o n t h e
e s t i m a t e d t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n t h e p o p u la t io n is
n e g lig ib le .2
A c c o rd in g t o t h e d e f in iti o n fo llo w e d i n t h i s s t u d y t h e
n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s liv in g a s m e m b e r s o f f a m ily g ro u p s
i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 is e s t i m a t e d a t 1 1 5 ,9 6 6 ,0 0 0 o u t o f t h e t o t a l
p o p u l a t i o n o f 1 2 8 ,0 2 4 ,0 0 0 , a n d t h e n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s is
e s t i m a t e d a t 2 9 ,4 0 0 ,3 0 0 .3
T h e s i n g l e i n d i v i d u a l , a s d e f in e d i n t h i s s t u d y , is a n
u n a tta c h e d p e rs o n m a in ta in in g a n in d e p e n d e n t eco 
n o m ic s t a t u s . S in g le in d i v i d u a l s t h u s i n c lu d e a ll p e r s o n s
m a i n t a i n i n g i n d e p e n d e n t liv in g q u a r t e r s , o r l iv i n g a s
lo d g e r s o r s e r v a n t s i n p r i v a t e h o m e s , o r a s r o o m e r s in
lo d g in g h o u s e s a n d h o te ls . A lt h o u g h m o s t m e m b e r s
o f t h e g r o u p a r e “ s in g le ,” b o t h w i t h r e s p e c t t o m a r i t a l
s t a t u s a n d e c o n o m ic s t a t u s , t h e g r o u p a ls o in c lu d e s
s o m e m a r r i e d p e r s o n s a n d p e r s o n s w id o w e d , d iv o rc e d ,
o r s e p a ra te d .
T h e n u m b e r o f s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s so d e f in e d is e s t i 
m a t e d a t 1 0 ,0 5 8 ,0 0 0 in 1 9 3 5 -3 6 , o r 7 .8 p e r c e n t o f t h e
t o t a l p o p u la t io n . A p p r o x i m a t e l y 6 ,5 3 8 ,0 0 0 , o r 6 5 p e r 
c e n t o f t h e t o t a l , w e r e m e n a n d 3 ,5 2 0 ,0 0 0 w e r e w o m e n .4
T h e in s titu tio n a l g r o u p , th e th ird ty p e o f co n su m e r
u n i t d is tin g u is h e d in t h e s t u d y , c o n s is ts o f t h e r e s i d e n t s
2 S e e p p . 72 a n d 7fr-77.
3 F o r fu r th e r d is c u s s io n , s ee p p . 71 -7 2 .
4 F o r fu r th e r d is c u s s io n , see p p . 77 -7 8 .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

o f i n s t i t u t i o n s “ p r o p e r , ” in c lu d in g m e n t a l a n d p h y s ic a l
d e f e c tiv e s , d e p e n d e n t a n d d e l i n q u e n t c h ild r e n , d e p e n d 
e n t a g e d a n d p o o r , a n d i n m a t e s o f p r is o n s a n d r e f o r m 
a to r i e s , a n d p e r s o n s liv in g in v a r io u s q u a s i - i n s ti t u t i o n a l
g r o u p s — a t A r m y a n d N a v y p o s ts , i n C iv ilia n C o n s e r 
v a t i o n C o r p s a n d l a b o r c a m p s , a n d i n c re w s o n v e s s e ls .
T h e s e i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s c a n n o t b e c o n s id e r e d a s
i n d e p e n d e n t s p e n d in g u n i t s c o m p a r a b le t o s in g le in d i 
v id u a ls , s in c e t h e i r in c o m e s a r e re c e iv e d , i n w h o le o r in
p a r t , a s s u b s is te n c e a n d c a r e s u p p lie d b y t h e i n s t i t u t i o n .
T h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p its e lf t h u s c o n s t i t u t e s t h e
s p e n d in g u n i t . 5
T h e n u m b e r o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 is
e s t i m a t e d a t a p p r o x im a t e ly 2 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 . O f th e s e ,
1 .2 0 0 .0 0 0 w e r e r e s i d e n t s o f i n s t i t u t i o n s p r o p e r , a n d
8 0 0 .0 0 0 w e r e m e m b e r s o f q u a s i - i n s t i t u t i o n a l g ro u p s .
D e f i n i t i o n o f In c o m e

T h e d e f in iti o n o f in c o m e u s e d i n t h i s s t u d y fo llo w s
t h a t o f t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . I t in c lu d e s
th e t o t a l n e t m o n e y in c o m e r e c e iv e d d u r i n g t h e y e a r b y
a ll m e m b e r s o f t h e e c o n o m ic f a m ily , p lu s t h e v a lu e o f
c e r t a i n i te m s o f n o n m o n e y in c o m e . F a c s im ile s o f t h e
in c o m e s c h e d u le s u s e d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s , p r e s e n t e d i n t h e n e x t s e c ti o n , s h o w th e
v a r io u s i te m s o f in c o m e c o v e re d .
M o n e y in c o m e c o m p r is e s t h e n e t e a r n in g s o f a ll
fa m ily m e m b e r s , in c lu d in g w o r k r e lie f e a r n in g s a n d
e a r n in g s f r o m r o o m e r s a n d b o a r d e r s a n d o t h e r p a id
w o r k i n t h e h o m e ; n e t p r o f its f r o m b u s i n e s s e n te r p r is e s
o p e r a t e d o r o w n e d b y t h e f a m ily , a n d f r o m p r o p e r t y
b o u g h t a n d s o ld w it h i n t h e y e a r ; n e t r e n t s fr o m p r o p e r t y ;
i n t e r e s t a n d d iv id e n d s f r o m s to c k s , b o n d s , a n d o th e r
p r o p e r t y ; p e n s io n s , a n n u itie s , a n d b e n e f its ; g if ts in
c a s h in s o f a r a s th e s e a r e u s e d d u r in g t h e y e a r f o r c u r 
r e n t liv in g e x p e n s e s ; 6 a n d in c o m e r e c e iv e d a s r e w a r d s ,
p ri z e s , a lim o n y , o r g a m b lin g g a in s . I n a d d i ti o n , m o n e y
in c o m e in c lu d e s m o n e y a l l o t t e d t o t h e fa m ily b y a s o n
i n a C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a ti o n C o r p s c a m p a n d m o n e y
re c e iv e d a s d i r e c t c a s h re lie f. T h is l a s t i t e m o f in c o m e
w a s n o t in c lu d e d o n t h e in c o m e s c h e d u le s , b u t t h e
r e lie f in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s c o n s t r u c te d f o r t h i s r e p o r t
w e r e c o r r e c te d to a d d t h e e s t im a t e d v a lu e o f d ir e c t
r e lie f i n b o t h c a s h a n d k in d .
I n c a lc u la t in g n e t in c o m e fr o m e a r n in g s a n d fr o m
p r o p e r t y , b u s in e s s a n d o c c u p a tio n a l e x p e n s e s , in c lu d in g
a ll ta x e s o n in c o m e - p r o d u c in g p r o p e r t y a n d o n b u s in e s s
o p e r a t io n s , h a v e b e e n d e d u c t e d . P e r s o n a l ta x e s , s u c h
a s in c o m e , p r o p e r t y , a n d p o ll ta x e s , h a v e n o t b e e n d e 
d u c t e d . B u s in e s s lo ss e s f o r t h e y e a r f r o m o p e r a t io n o f
a ll i n d e p e n d e n t b u s in e s s , n e t lo ss e s o n r e n t a l p r o p e r t y ,
a n d m o n e y lo ss e s f r o m s a le s o f s e c u r it ie s a n d r e a l e s t a t e
b o u g h t a n d s o ld d u r in g t h e s c h e d u le y e a r h a v e a ls o
5

F o r fu r th e r d is c u s s io n , s e e se c . 9.
7 2 7 3 6 ° — 3 8 ----- 4

41
b e e n d e d u c t e d i n c a lc u la t in g n e t in c o m e . P a p e r lo s s e s ,
s u c h a s d e p r e c ia tio n in t h e v a lu e o f p r o p e r t y o w n e d ,
h a v e n o t b e e n c o u n te d a s b u s in e s s lo sse s.
E x c lu d e d f r o m n e t m o n e y in c o m e a r e g a in s o r lo ss e s
fr o m t h e s a le o f c a p i t a l a s s e ts o w n e d a t t h e b e g in n in g
o f t h e s c h e d u le y e a r ; in h e r i ta n c e s , w i t h t h e e x c e p ti o n
o f t h a t p a r t o f c a s h i n h e r i ta n c e s u s e d f o r c u r r e n t liv in g
e x p e n s e s ;6 s o ld ie r s ’ b o n u s p a y m e n t s ; (w ith m i n o r e x 
c e p tio n s ) a n d f u n d s o b t a i n e d t h r o u g h b o r ro w in g .
N o n m o n e y in c o m e , f o r a ll g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s , in c lu d e s
th e n e t v a lu e o f th e o c c u p a n c y o f a n o w n e d h o m e a n d
r e n t re c e iv e d a s p a y , a s w e ll a s t h e e s t i m a t e d v a l u e o f
d i r e c t r e lie f r e c e iv e d in k in d . F o r f a r m a n d v illa g e
fa m ilie s , i t in c lu d e s , i n a d d i t i o n t o th e s e ite m s , t h e n e t
i m p u t e d v a lu e o f fo o d p r o d u c e d a t h o m e f o r t h e
f a m i l y ’s o w n u s e . F o r f a r m fa m ilie s , i t a ls o in c lu d e s
t h e n e t i m p u t e d v a lu e o f c e r t a i n o t h e r f a r m - p r o d u c e d
g o o d s u s e d b y t h e fa m ily — i. e ., fu e l, ic e , to b a c c o , a n d
w o o l— p lu s o r m i n u s t h e v a l u e o f a n y in c r e a s e o r d e 
c re a s e i n t h e a m o u n t o f l iv e s to c k o w n e d o r o f c ro p s
s to r e d f o r s a le . E x c e p t f o r o w n e d h o m e s , n o a t t e m p t
w a s m a d e t o in c lu d e a s n o n m o n e y in c o m e t h e v a lu e o f
t h e u s e o f d u r a b l e g o o d s o w n e d b y t h e f a m ily s u c h a s
a u to m o b ile s , f u r n i t u r e a n d h o u s e h o ld e q u i p m e n t .7*
I n p la c in g a n i m p u t e d v a lu e o n fo o d a n d o t h e r f a r m
p r o d u c ts u s e d b y t h e f a m ily , t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s
S t u d y u s e d p ri c e s s e p a r a t e l y e s t i m a t e d f o r e a c h lo c a li ty ,
b a s e d o n t h e p r ic e s c u s to m a r ily p a i d f o r p r o d u c t s o f
s im ila r q u a l i t y p u r c h a s e d f r o m n e ig h b o r s o r f r o m t h e
m o s t lik e ly p la c e o f p u r c h a s e .
I n e s t im a t i n g t h e i m p u t e d v a lu e o f t h e o c c u p a n c y o f
o w n e d h o m e s f o r u r b a n a n d v illa g e fa m ilie s , t h e d if 
fe r e n c e b e tw e e n t h e r e n t a l v a lu e o f t h e h o m e a n d t h e
e x p e n s e s p a i d f o r i n t e r e s t o n t h e m o r tg a g e a n d fo r
ta x e s , i n s u r a n c e , a n d r e p a i r s w a s u s e d . I n f o r m a t i o n
o n t h e a m o u n t o f i n t e r e s t p a i d b y t h e f a m ily a n d o n
t h e n u m b e r o f m o n t h s d u r in g w h ic h t h e h o m e w a s
o c c u p ie d w a s o b t a in e d o n t h e in c o m e s c h e d u le f o r e a c h
h o m e - o w n in g f a m ily . A n e s t i m a t e o f t h e a m o u n t p a i d
f o r e x p e n s e s o t h e r t h a n i n t e r e s t o n t h e m o r tg a g e w a s
a r b i t r a r i l y m a d e f o r e a c h fa m ily o n t h e b a s is o f d a t a
s e c u r e d b y t h e B u r e a u o f L a b o r S ta t i s t i c s in p r e v io u s
s t u d i e s o f f a m ily liv in g .
T h e i m p u t e d v a lu e o f t h e o c c u p a n c y o f f a r m h o m e s
w a s a r b i t r a r i l y s e t a t a fix e d p e r c e n ta g e o f t h e e s t im a t e d
v a l u e o f t h e d w e llin g , a s e n t e r e d o n t h e in c o m e s c h e d u le
f o r t h e f a m ily . F o r fa m ilie s liv in g o n o w n e d f a r m s , a
fig u r e o f 9 p e r c e n t w a s u s e d , a n d f o r th o s e liv in g o n
r e n t e d f a r m s , 10 p e r c e n t ; i n t h e S o u t h e a s t R e g io n a n d
in C a li f o r n ia , th e s e fig u r e s w e r e i n c r e a s e d b y 1 p e r c e n t . 7
6 I n h e rita n c e s a n d g i fts n o t u s e d for c u r r en t c o n s u m p tio n a re c o n s id e r e d , a s in th e
S t u d y o f C o n su m e r P u r c h a se s , a s ch a n g e s i n fa m ily a s se ts .
7 F o r it e m s in c l u d e d i n in c o m e for u r b a n , v illa g e a n d fa r m fa m ilie s a n d for d i s c u s 
s io n o f th e w a y v a r io u s in c o m e i t e m s w e r e c a lc u la te d a n d th e ir a c cu r a c y c h e c k e d , s e e
B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s re p o r t for P a c ific C o a st s m a ll c itie s a n d v illa g e s .

42

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

T h e b a s ic c la s s i n t e r v a l u s e d i n t h e a n a ly s is o f in c o m e
i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s w a s $ 2 5 0 , w it h
m u l ti p le s o f t h i s i n t e r v a l a t t h e h ig h e r in c o m e le v e ls ,
a n d w i t h a h ig h e s t i n t e r v a l o f $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r. I n th e
p r e s e n t s t u d y , in c o m e s b e lo w $ 2 ,5 0 0 w e r e g r o u p e d in
t e n $ 2 5 0 c la s s e s . B e tw e e n $ 2 ,5 0 0 a n d $ 5 ,0 0 0 t h e r e a re
fiv e $ 5 0 0 c la s s e s ; b e tw e e n $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 , tw o
$ 2 ,5 0 0 c la ss e s . A b o v e $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 , tw e lv e in c o m e c la s se s,
r a n g i n g i n w i d t h f r o m $ 5 ,0 0 0 t o $ 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 , w e re s e t u p
f o r t h e e s t i m a t e d n a t i o n a l a n d r e g io n a l in c o m e d i s t r i 
b u tio n s , o n t h e b a s is o f d a t a f r o m F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x
r e t u r n s . T h e in c o m e c la s s e s a b o v e $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 w e r e c o m 
b in e d i n t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r o t h e r c o m p o n e n t g ro u p s
o f c o n s u m e r s b e c a u s e o f t h e i m p r a c t i c a b i l i t y o f c arry in g -

n o t h ir e d o n a b a s is o f n e e d w e re n o t c o n s id e r e d re lie f.
A fa m ily w h o h a d h a d a s o n i n a C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a tio n
C o r p s c a m p a t a n y tim e d u r in g t h e s c h e d u le y e a r w a s
c o n s i d e r e d t o h a v e r e c e iv e d w o r k re lie f.
O b v io u s l y , u n d e r s u c h a d e f in iti o n , m a n y fa m ilie s

o u t t h e in c o m e t a x a d j u s t m e n t s b y in c o m e le v e l b e y o n d

o f t h e r e lie f c la s s if ic a tio n m u s t b e k e p t i n m i n d i n i n t e r 
p r e ti n g t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r b o t h r e lie f a n d
n o n re lie f fa m ilie s , a n d in a p p r a is in g t h e r e l a t i v e s t a t u s
o f t h e tw o g r o u p s .

th is p o in t.8
T h e Y e a r C o v e re d

T h e in c o m e e s t im a t e s p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s s t u d y r e l a t e
to t h e 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1936.
T h is
y e a r w a s c h o s e n b e c a u s e t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e s c h e d u le s
c o lle c te d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s c o v e re d
a p p r o x im a t e ly t h a t s a m e 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d . S o m e
s c h e d u le s c o n ta in e d i n f o r m a ti o n f o r t h e c a le n d a r y e a r
1 935, w h ile o th e r s , c o v e ri n g t h e y e a r im m e d ia t e l y p r e 
c e d in g t h e d a t e o f i n te r v ie w , c o n t a i n e d i n f o r m a tio n
fo r a 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d e n d in g s o m e w h a t b e f o r e o r a f t e r
J u n e 3 0 , 1 936. I n n o c a s e d id t h e s c h e d u le y e a r e n d
p r i o r to D e c e m b e r 1935 o r l a t e r t h a n D e c e m b e r 1936.
D e fin itio n o f R e lie f a n d N o n r e lie f G ro u p s

F a m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a r e c la s s ifie d in th is
s t u d y a s re c e iv in g r e lie f i f t h e y r e c e iv e d a n y d i r e c t o r
w o r k r e lie f f r o m a n y s o u r c e a t a n y tim e d u r in g th e y e a r
c o v e re d b y t h e e s tim a te s .
D i r e c t r e lie f w a s d e f in e d t o in c lu d e b o t h r e lie f i n c a s h
a n d i n k in d , f r o m b o t h p u b lic a n d p r i v a t e a g e n c ie s .
M o t h e r s ’ p e n s i o n s a n d a ll p e n s i o n s o f a n o n c o n t r i b u t o r y
t y p e p a i d u p o n p r o o f o f “ n e e d ,” s u c h a s c e r t a i n o ld -a g e
p e n s i o n s , w e r e c o n s i d e r e d d i r e c t re lie f, b u t w a r p e n s io n s
a n d p e n s io n s f r o m f u n d s t o w h ic h t h e i n d i v i d u a l h a d
c o n t r i b u t e d w e re n o t c o n s i d e r e d re lie f. R e li e f v o u c h e rs
f o r fo o d , c lo th in g , a n d o t h e r c o m m o d itie s w e re c o n 
s id e r e d d i r e c t r e lie f i n k in d , a s w e r e s u r p lu s c o m m o d itie s
d i s t r i b u t e d b y t h e F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t . C h a r it a b l e
c o n t r i b u t io n s , i n c a s h o r k in d , m a d e b y i n d iv id u a ls
r a t h e r t h a n b y a g e n c ie s w e r e a ls o c o n s id e r e d re lie f , b u t
g if ts f r o m r e l a t i v e s a n d f r ie n d s w e r e n o t so c o n s id e re d .
W o r k r e lie f w a s d e f in e d t o in c lu d e e a r n in g s f r o m F e d 
e r a l E m e r g e n c y R e li e f A d m i n is tr a t i o n , P u b li c W o rk s
A d m i n is tr a t i o n , a n d W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n
j o b s i f t h e e m p lo y e e h a d b e e n a s s ig n e d f r o m t h e r e lie f
ro lls a n d / o r h a d h a d to p a s s a m e a n s t e s t b e fo re r e 
c e iv in g t h e jo b . E a r n in g s o f s u p e r v is o r y e m p lo y e e s
8

F o r d is c u s s io n o f m e th o d s u s e d in m a k in g th e s e a d ju s tm e n ts , s ee s ec . 7.

w e re d e s ig n a te d a s re lie f fa m ilie s a l t h o u g h t h e y h a d
b e e n la r g e l y s e lf - s u p p o r tin g d u r in g t h e y e a r , a n d h a d
r e c e iv e d o n ly a s m a ll p o r ti o n o f t h e i r a n n u a l in c o m e
fr o m r e lie f s o u r c e s . S o m e fa m ilie s m a y h a v e b e e n o n
r e lie f f o r o n ly a fe w d a y s a n d h a v e re c e iv e d r e l a t i v e l y
h ig h in c o m e s f r o m e m p lo y m e n t d u r in g t h e b a la n c e o f
t h e s c h e d u le y e a r . O th e r f a m ilie s c la ss ifie d a s re lie f
fa m ilie s m a y h a v e r e c e iv e d o n ly o n e a ll o tm e n t o f s u r 
p lu s c o m m o d itie s d u r in g t h e y e a r . T h is in c lu s iv e n e s s

G e o g r a p h i c R e g io n s

T h e g e o g ra p h ic re g io n s d e f in e d i n t h i s s t u d y c o r re 
s p o n d w i t h th o s e u s e d b y t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o 
n o m ic s i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .9 T h e y
d iffe r s o m e w h a t f r o m t h e u s u a l c e n s u s g r o u p in g s .10*
T h e fiv e re g io n s , a n d t h e S t a t e s in c lu d e d in e a c h re g io n ,
a r e a s fo llo w s :
N ew E n g la n d :
M a in e .
N e w H a m p s h ir e .
V e r m o n t.
M a s s a c h u s e tt s .
R h o d e I s la n d .
C o n n e c tic u t.
S o u th :
D i s t r i c t o f C o lu m b ia .
D e la w a re .
M a r y la n d .
V ir g in ia .
W e s t V irg in ia .
N o r t h C a ro li n a .
S o u th C a ro li n a .
G e o rg ia .
F lo r id a .
K e n tu c k y .
T enn essee.
A la b a m a .
M is s is s ip p i.
A rk a n s a s .
L o u is ia n a .

S o u th — C o n t in u e d .
O k la h o m a .
T exas.
N o r th C e n tra l:
N e w Y o rk .
N e w J e rs e y .
P e n n s y lv a n ia .
O h io .
I n d ia n a .
Illin o is .
M ic h ig a n .
W is c o n sin .
M in n e s o ta .
Io w a .
M is s o u ri.
M o u n t a i n a n d P la in s :
N o r t h D a k o ta .
S o u th D a k o t a .
N eb ra sk a .
K an sas.
M o n ta n a .
Id a h o .
W y o m in g .

9 F o r d e sc r ip tio n o f th e r eg io n s c o v e r e d b y th e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s, see
p . 46.
T h e N e w E n g la n d a n d th e P a c ific R e g io n s c o r r es p o n d to th e c e n su s g r o u p in g .
T h e S o u th e r n R e g io n c o m p r is e s th r e e o f th e c e n s u s a r ea s , i. e ., S o u th A tl a n ti c , E a s t
S o u th C e n tr a l a n d W e s t S o u th C e n tr a l. T h e N o r t h C e n tr a l R e g io n in c lu d e s th e
c e n s u s M id d le A tl a n ti c a n d E a s t N o r t h C e n tra l a r e a s a n d fo u r S ta te s fr o m th e W esx.
N o r th C e n tr a l a r ea . T h e M o u n t a in a n d P la i n s R e g io n in c lu d e s th e c e n s u s M o u r n
ta i n a r ea a n d t h e r e m a in in g S ta te s in t h e W e s t N o r th C e n tra l area.

C on su m e r In c o m e s

43

M o u n ta in a n d P la in s — C o n
C o lo ra d o .
N e w M e x ic o .
A riz o n a .
U ta h .
N evada.

P a c ific :
W a s h in g to n .
O re g o n .
C a lif o rn ia .

T y p e s o f C o m m u n it y

T h e c la s s if ic a tio n b y t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y fo llo w s
c lo se ly t h a t s e t u p f o r t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .
I n t h a t s t u d y , s a m p le c o m m u n itie s w e r e s e le c te d to
r e p r e s e n t fiv e d i s t i n c t d e g re e s o f u r b a n i z a t i o n — th e
m e tr o p o lis , t h e la r g e c it y , t h e m id d le -s iz e d c ity , th e
s m a ll c i t y a n d t h e v illa g e — a n d f a r m a re a s . T h e r a n g e
o f p o p u la t io n f o r e a c h d e g re e o f u r b a n i z a t io n w a s
r e s t r i c t e d w it h i n f a ir ly n a r r o w l im its to m a k e i t p o s 
s ib le to is o la te t h e e ffe c t o f t h i s f a c t o r o n c o n s u m p ti o n .
I n e x te n d in g t h e d a t a to a n a t i o n a l b a s is , i t w a s n e c e s 
s a r y to w id e n t h e s iz e r a n g e s o f t h e v a r io u s t y p e s o f
c o m m u n i t y t o in c lu d e a ll c o m m u n itie s i n t h e U n i t e d
S ta t e s . T h e p o p u la t io n r a n g e s u s e d i n t h i s s t u d y to
c la s s ify a ll n o n f a r m c o m m u n itie s a r e s h o w n b e lo w in
c o m p a r is o n w it h t h e a p p r o x im a t e p o p u la t io n ra n g e s
o f t h e s a m p le n o n f a r m c o m m u n itie s c o v e re d i n th e
S tu d y o f C o n su m e r P u rc h a se s.
T y p e o f c o m m u n it y

A ll n o n fa r m c o m m u n itie s

L a rg e c i ti e s --------- ------- . . _ -----M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s ___________ _

10 0.0001,500,000_ _ _ _ _
2 5 .0 0 0 - 100,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2 ,5 0 0 -2 5 ,0 0 0 ...
U p to 2 ,'5 0 0 i____ ____ ___

R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n it ie s .. .......

S a m p le n o n fa r m
c o m m u n itie s

3 ,3 7 6 ,0 0 0 -6 ,9 3 0 ,0 0 0
2 5 3 ,0 0 0 - 30 2,000
3 1 ,0 0 0 7 2 ,0 0 0
9 ,00 01 9 ,0 00
2 5005 ,00 0

1 I n c lu d e s a ll r u r a l n o n fa r m a r ea s . A l l fa m ilie s l iv i n g i n c o m m u n it ie s w i t h p o p u 
la tio n u n d e r 2,500 a n d fa m ilie s l iv i n g i n t h e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s w e r e
a p p lie d a s p o p u l a t io n w e ig h ts a g a in st th e s a m p l e d a ta c o lle c te d fro m v illa g e fa m ilie s .
2 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g in c o m m u n i tie s w i t h i n t h e p o p u la tio n r a n g e s s h o w n b u t
n o t fa m ilie s l iv i n g in th e o p e n c o u n tr y . S e e fo o tn o te to ta b le , p . 46.

T h e f a r m c o m m u n itie s in t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s w e r e s e le c te d to r e p r e s e n t t h e m a j o r t y p e s o f
f a r m in g t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y a n d t h e in c o m e d a t a
fr o m f a r m f a m ilie s w e r e c la ss ifie d a c c o r d in g to th e s e
t y p e s . T h is c la s s if ic a tio n h a s n o t b e e n m a i n t a i n e d in
e x t e n d i n g t h e d a t a to t h e e n t i r e f a r m p o p u la t io n ,
a lt h o u g h c o n s id e r a tio n w a s g iv e n t o t h i s f a c t o r in
d e t e r m i n in g th e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts t o b e a p p lie d a g a i n s t
t h e v a r io u s s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r f a r m fa m ilie s .11
C o lo r a n d N a t i v i t y G r o u p s

F a m ilie s i n te r v ie w e d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r 
c h a s e s w e r e c la ss ifie d i n t o f o u r c o l o r - n a ti v it y g ro u p s —
n a t i v e - w h it e , f o r e ig n - b o m w h ite , N e g ro , a n d “ o th e r
11
S e e p . 72 . D a t a o n S o u th e r n fa r m fa m ilie s w e r e a ls o c la s s ifie d a c c o r d in g to te n u r e
s t a t u s — i. e ., s h a r ec ro p p e rs a n d o p e ra to r s. A fa rm o p e ra to r w a s d e fin e d a s o n e w h o
o w n s or r e n ts a fa r m a s e n tre p r e n e u r —i. e ., is e n g a g e d i n t h e b u s i n e s s o f fa r m in g o n h is
o w n a c co u n t, a s s u m in g t h e r is k s a n d r e c e iv in g t h e p r o fits o f th e fa rm e n te r p r is e. A
sh a r ec ro p p e r w a s d e fin e d a s o n e w h o s u p p l ie d h i s la b o r a n d s o m e p a r t o f th e e x p e n s es
for th e o p e r a tio n o f t h e fa r m a n d r e c e iv e d in r e tu r n a s p e c ifie d p r o p o r tio n o f th e cro p .

c o lo r o r r a c e s .” T h is s a m e c la s s if ic a tio n w a s fo llo w e d
i n b u ild in g u p t h e e s t im a t e s i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y . A
w h ite fa m ily w a s c la ss ifie d a s fo r e ig n - b o r n if e it h e r
h u s b a n d o r w ife — o r t h e m a le o r f e m a le h e a d o f t h e
fa m ily — w a s b o r n o u t s i d e t h e U n i t e d S ta t e s . M u l a t to e s a n d o th e r s o f N e g ro -m ix e d b lo o d w e re c la ss ifie d a s
N e g ro . F a m il ie s o f o t h e r c o lo r o r ra c e in c lu d e d
M e x ic a n , I n d i a n , C h in e s e , J a p a n e s e , F il ip in o , H in d u ,
a n d K o r e a n , a n d m ix tu r e s o f th e s e ra c e s w it h o th e r s .
N o r m a l a n d B r o k e n F a m ilie s

A n o r m a l fa m ily w a s d e f in e d i n t h i s s t u d y , a s i n t h e
S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , a s a fa m ily c o n ta in in g
b o t h a h u s b a n d a n d a w ife , w i t h o r w i t h o u t o th e r
p e r s o n s i n t h e f a m ily . A n y f a m ily n o t c o n t a i n in g b o t h
a h u s b a n d a n d a w ife w a s c o n s id e r e d a b r o k e n fa m ily .
S i z e o f F a m i l y C la s s if ic a t io n

F a m ilie s h a v e b e e n c la ss ifie d i n t h i s s t u d y i n t o f o u r
size g ro u p s — fa m ilie s o f tw o p e r s o n s , f a m ilie s o f t h r e e
a n d f o u r p e r s o n s , f a m ilie s o f fiv e a n d s ix p e r s o n s , a n d
fa m ilie s o f s e v e n a n d m o r e p e r s o n s . A lth o u g h t h e
g ro u p in g is b a s e d u p o n t h e f a m i l y - ty p e c la s s ific a tio n
u s e d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , i t ig n o re s t h e
d if fe re n c e s i n s e x a n d a g e c o m p o s iti o n o f fa m ilie s
c o n ta in in g t h e s a m e n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s .
T h e n o r m a l ( h u s b a n d - w if e ) f a m ilie s s u p p l y i n g i n 
c o m e d a t a i n t h e r e g u l a r s a m p le o f t h e S t u d y o f C o n 
s u m e r P u r c h a s e s w e re c la ss ifie d i n t o fa m ily ty p e s ,
a s fo llo w s :
F a m il y c o m p o s itio n :

N u m be r o f p e rso n s
in fa m ily

H u s b a n d a n d w if e o n l y _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2

H u s b a n d , w ife a n d 1 c h ild u n d e r 1 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3

H u s b a n d , w ife a n d 2

4

c h ild r e n u n d e r 1 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

H u s b a n d , w ife , 1 p e r s o n 1 6 a n d o v e r , w i t h o r w i t h o u t
1 o th e r p e r s o n , r e g a r d le s s o f a g e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 - 4
H u s b a n d , w i fe , o n e c h il d u n d e r 1 6 , o n e p e r s o n 1 6 o r o v e r
a n d 1 o r 2 o th e r s , r e g a r d le s s o f a g e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 - 6
H u s b a n d , w i fe , 3 o r 4 c h ild r e n u n d e r 1 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 - 6
H u s b a n d , w ife , 1 c h il d u n d e r 1 6 , a n d 4 o r 5 o t h e r s ,
r e g a r d le s s o f a g e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 - 8
H u s b a n d , w i f e a n d a n y c o m b i n a t i o n n o t i n c lu d e d in
p r e c e d in g t y p e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7

or m ore

T h e s e f a m ily t y p e s w e re c o m b in e d i n t o t h e f o u r siz e
g ro u p s u s e d i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y . B r o k e n fa m ilie s ,
a n d n o r m a l fa m ilie s o f c o l o r - n a ti v it y g ro u p s n o t i n 
c lu d e d i n t h e r e g u l a r in c o m e s a m p le , w e r e c la s s ifie d
d ir e c tly i n t o t h e f o u r siz e g r o u p s f r o m in f o r m a ti o n
s u p p lie d o n t h e f a m ily s c h e d u le s f o r th e s e g r o u p s .
T h e n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s i n t h e e c o n o m ic f a m i l y w a s
d e t e r m i n e d o n t h e b a s is o f y e a r - e q u i v a l e n t m e m b e r s —
t h a t is , a c c o u n t w a s t a k e n o f t h e n u m b e r o f w e e k s e a c h
p e r s o n w a s a m e m b e r o f t h e e c o n o m ic f a m ily i n c a lc u 
l a t i n g t h e a v e r a g e siz e o f t h e f a m ily o v e r t h e 1 2 - m o n th
p e r io d o f t h e s c h e d u le y e a r . 12*

H e d i d n o t s u p p l y w o r k a n im a ls a n d d i d n o t m a k e m a jo r d e c is io n s a s to fa r m o p e r 
a ti n g p o lic ie s . F a rm lab o r er s , e m p l o y e d o n b a s is o f a g iv e n w a g e for a d e fin ite p e rio d ,

12 F o r e x p l a n a tio n o f t h e m e th o d o f c a lc u la tin g y e a r -e q u iv a le n t m e m b e r s , s e e th e
fo r th c o m in g r e p o r t b y th e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s for P a c ific C o a st s m a ll c ities

w i t h p a y m e n t b e in g in c a s h or i n k i n d , w e r e c la s s ifie d in th e w a g e-e a r n in g gr o u p .

a n d v illa g e s.

44

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

O c c u p a t i o n a l C la s s if ic a t io n

F a m ilie s h a v e b e e n c la s s ifie d i n t o b r o a d o c c u p a tio n a l
g r o u p s a c c o r d in g to t h e m a j o r s o u r c e o f fa m ily e a rn in g s ,
i. e ., if m e m b e r s o f t h e f a m ily re c e iv e d e a r n in g s fr o m
tw o o r m o r e o c c u p a tio n s , t h e f a m ily w a s c la ss ifie d
a c c o r d in g t o t h e g r o u p f r o m w h ic h t h e g r e a t e r p r o p o r 
t i o n o f t o t a l f a m ily e a r n i n g s w a s d e r iv e d .
T h e o c c u p a t io n a l c la s s if ic a ti o n fo llo w e d i n t h i s s t u d y ,
a s i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , w a s , i n g e n e r a l,
t h e c la s s if ic a ti o n s e t u p b y t h e F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y R e 
lie f A d m i n i s t r a t i o n a n d a d o p t e d b y t h e W o r k s P r o g r e s s
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n . 13 E i g h t b r o a d o c c u p a t io n a l g ro u p s
d e r iv e d f r o m t h i s c la s s if ic a ti o n w e re u s e d i n t h e in c o m e
a n a ly s is i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y : (1 ) W a g e - e a r n e r , (2)
c le ric a l, (3 ) i n d e p e n d e n t b u s in e s s , (4 ) s a la r ie d b u s in e s s ,
(5 ) i n d e p e n d e n t p ro fe s s io n a l, (6 ) s a l a r ie d p ro fe s s io n a l,
(7 ) f a r m in g , a n d (8 ) a ll o th e r s , in c lu d in g f a r m o p e r a t o r s
i n v il la g e s o r c it ie s , p e r s o n s w i t h n o e a r n in g s f r o m o c c u 
p a t i o n s , a n d p e r s o n s o f u n k n o w n o c c u p a tio n . F a m il ie s
t h a t h a d r e c e iv e d r e lie f a t a n y t im e d u r in g t h e s c h e d u le
y e a r w e r e e x c lu d e d f r o m t h e o c c u p a t io n a l c la s s ific a tio n .
13

T h e o c c u p a tio n a l c la s s ific a tio n a n d c o d e , c o n ta in e d in C irc u la r N o . 2 o f th e

W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m in is tr a tio n , J u l y 1935, a n d C irc u la r 2 A , I n d e x o f O c c u p a tio n s ,
w a s o r ig in a lly p r e p a re d b y t h e r es e a r c h s e c tio n o f th e D i v i s i o n o f R e s e a r ch , S t a tis tic s

W a g e - e a r n e r s in c lu d e d a ll s k ille d , s e m is k ille d , o r u n 
s k ille d m a n u a l w o r k e r s i n m a n u f a c t u r in g , s e rv ic e i n 
d u s t r i e s o r m in in g . C le r ic a l w o r k e r s in c lu d e d office
a n d s a le s p e r s o n n e l e n g a g e d i n m o r e o r le s s r o u t i n e
w o rk , a s d is tin g u is h e d f r o m s a l a r ie d b u s i n e s s w o rk e rs
w h o w e r e p e r s o n s i n p o s itio n s o f r e s p o n s ib ility i n
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o r p o lic y m a k in g . P ro f e s s io n a l w o rk e rs
in c lu d e d t h o s e w h o s e o c c u p a tio n s fe ll i n t o o n e o f t h e
re c o g n iz e d p ro fe s s io n a l c a te g o ri e s , s u c h a s d o c to r s ,
la w y e r s , t e a c h e r s , a n d a r t i s t s o f a ll t y p e s . T h e y w e re
c la s s e d a s i n d e p e n d e n t o r s a l a r ie d d e p e n d in g u p o n
w h e t h e r t h e y w e r e s e lf -e m p lo y e d o r w e r e e m p lo y e d b y
o th e r s o n a s a l a r y b a s is . T h e i n d e p e n d e n t b u s in e s s
c la s s if ic a tio n w a s u s e d to d e s ig n a te p e r s o n s w h o w e re
ta k in g a n e n tre p re n e u ria l ris k w ith th e ir o w n o r b o r
ro w e d c a p i ta l , w h o o w n e d t h e i r e q u i p m e n t o r p la c e o f
b u s in e s s , a n d w h o m a y o r m a y n o t h a v e e m p lo y e d
o th e r s t o w o r k f o r t h e m . F a m ilie s c la ss ifie d i n t h e
i n d e p e n d e n t b u s in e s s g r o u p i n t h e lo w in c o m e le v e ls
in c lu d e d s m a ll s h o p k e e p e rs , d r e s s m a k e r s , ta x i d r iv e r s
a n d c o b b le rs , w h ile t h e u p p e r in c o m e le v e ls in c lu d e d
o w n e rs a n d p a r t n e r s i n la r g e -s c a le e n te r p r is e s . F a m il y
in c o m e f r o m ro o m e rs , b o a r d e r s , a n d t o u r i s t s w a s a ls o
c la s sifie d a s d e r iv e d f r o m in d e p e n d e n t b u s in e s s .14

a n d F in a n c e o f th e F e d e ra l E m e r g e n c y R e li e f A d m in is tr a tio n , w i t h th e a s s is ta n c e of
14

T h e a b o v e d e s c r ip tio n o f th e o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s i s b a s e d o n th e d e sc r ip tio n

t h e D i v is i o n o f S ta n d a r d s a n d R e s e a r c h o f t h e U . S . E m p l o y m e n t S e r v ic e , th e
N a t i o n a l R e c o v e r y A d m in is tr a tio n C o n s tr u c tio n C o d e A u th o r i ty , a n d th e O cc u 
p a tio n a l I n fo r m a tio n D i v is i o n o f th e N e w Y o r k S t a te E m p l o y m e n t S e r v ice . T h e

a p p e a r in g in th e fo r th c o m in g r e p o r t o f t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s for th e P a c ific
C o a s t s m a ll c it i e s a n d v illa g e s . F o r d e ta ile d d e s c r ip tio n o f o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s

c o d in g s c h e m e w a s a d a p te d fr o m t h a t u s e d b y th e U . S. B u r e a u o f th e C e n s u s in 1930.

a n d o f th e m e th o d o f c la s s ify in g fa m ilie s b y o c c u p a tio n , s ee th a t s tu d y .

SECTI O N 2.

THE

STU D Y

T h e m a jo r so u rc e o f d a ta u se d in p re p a rin g th e e s ti
m a t e s o f in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s r e p o r t
w a s t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . T h e r e s u l ts o f
t h i s s t u d y , h o w e v e r, w e r e s u p p l e m e n t e d b y d a t a f r o m
a w id e v a r i e t y o f o t h e r s o u r c e s . T h e s e s o u r c e s a r e m e n 
tio n e d i n t h e s e c ti o n s o f t h e a p p e n d i x w h ic h fo llo w , in
c o n n e c tio n w i t h t h e d e s c r ip tio n o f t h e p r o c e d u r e s u s e d
a t e a c h s t a g e o f t h e w o rk .
S in c e t h e d a t a f r o m t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s S tu d y
w e r e u ti l iz e d so e x te n s iv e ly i n b u ild in g u p t h e n a t i o n a l
e s t im a t e s , i t s e e m s a d v is a b le t o p r e s e n t h e r e a b rie f
d e s c r ip t io n o f t h e s c o p e a n d n a t u r e o f t h i s s t u d y a n d o f
t h e m e t h o d s u s e d i n c o lle c tin g a n d t a b u l a t i n g t h e d a t a .
M o r e d e t a il e d d e s c r ip tio n s o f t h e s t u d y w ill a p p e a r in
r e p o r t s n o w i n p r e p a r a t i o n b y t h e tw o F e d e r a l b u r e a u s
re s p o n s ib le f o r t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e p r o j e c t . 1 T h e s e
r e p o r t s s h o u ld b e c o n s u lte d b y r e a d e r s i n t e r e s t e d in
f u r t h e r i n f o r m a ti o n r e g a r d in g t h e m e th o d o lo g y o f t h e
s t u d y o r i n t h e fin d in g s fo r sp e c ific c o m m u n itie s .12
P u rp o s e o f th e S tu d y

T h e s t u d y w a s u n d e r t a k e n in o r d e r to p r o v id e m o r e
a d e q u a t e a n d c o m p r e h e n s iv e d a t a o n t h e in c o m e s a n d
e x p e n d i tu r e s o f A m e r ic a n fa m ilie s . N o n e o f t h e e a rlie r
s t u d i e s i n t h i s fie ld h a d b e e n b r o a d e n o u g h to s u p p l y
i n f o r m a t i o n o n a N a tio n - w id e b a s is , r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f
a ll i m p o r t a n t g ro u p s o f t h e p o p u la t io n . T h e p r o j e c t
w a s p l a n n e d to m e e t t h e n e e d fo r s u c h in f o r m a ti o n . I t
1 A s er ie s o f p r e l im in a r y m im e o g r a p h e d r ele a s e s h a s b e e n iss u e d b y e a c h b u r ea u ,
p r e s e n tin g a fe w s e le c te d ta b le s s u m m a r iz in g th e r e s u lt s o f th e b a s i c ta b u la t io n s .
T h e fir s t p r in t e d r ep o r t t o b e is s u e d b y th e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s w i ll c o v e r
fa m il y in c o m e s a n d e x p e n d itu r e s in th e P a c ific C o a s t s m a ll c iti e s a n d v illa g e s , a n d
t h e fir s t t o b e is s u e d b y th e B u r e a u o f L a b o r S ta tis tic s w i l l c ov e r s im ila r d a ta for
C h ic a g o , 111.
2 A n i n t e r im r ep o r t o f p la n s for th e s t u d y , p r ep a re d b y th e C o n s u m p ti o n R e se a r c h
s ta f f o f t h e N a t io n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m it te e , w i t h t h e c o o p e ra tio n o f th e E c o n o m ic s
D i v i s i o n o f t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s a n d t h e C o s t o f L i v i n g D i v is i o n o f th e
B u r e a u o f L a b o r S ta ti s ti c s , w a s is s u e d i n m im e o g r a p h e d fo r m in J a n u a r y 1936. F o r
o th e r d i s c u s s io n s o f t h e s t u d y , s e e th e fo llo w in g a r tic le s : P l a n s F o r a S t u d y o f th e
C o n s u m p t i o n o f G o o d s a n d S e r v i c e s b y A m e r i c a n F a m i l i e s , b y K n e e l a n d , H ild e g a r d e ,
S c h o e n b e r g , E r ik a H . , a n d F r ie d m a n , M il t o n , th e J o u r n a l o f t h e A m e r ic a n S t a tis tic a l
A s s o c ia tio n , M a r c h 1936, v o l. 3 1 , p p . 135-150; C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s — S o m e R e s u l t s o f
a N a t i o n a l S t u d y , b y K a p la n , A . D . H . , P r o c e e d in g s o f th e B o s to n C o n fe r en c e o n
D i s t r i b u t i o n , S e p te m b e r 29, 1936; A n a l y z i n g F a m i l i e s b y C o m p o s i t i o n T y p e W i t h
R e s p e c t t o C o n s u m p t i o n , b y M o n r o e , D a y , t h e J o u r n a l o f t h e A m e r ic a n S t a tis tic a l

A s s o c ia tio n , M a r c h 1937, v o l. 32, p p . 35-39; a n d M e t h o d s a n d P r o b l e m s o f S a m p l i n g
P r e s e n t e d b y T h e X J r b a n S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , b y S c h o e n b e r g , E r ik a H . , a n d

P a r t e n , M ild r e d , th e J o u r n a l o f th e A m e r ic a n S ta tis tic a l A s s o c ia tio n , J u n e 1937,
v o l. 32 , p p . 31 1-322.

OF

CO N SU M ER

PU RCH A SES

c o v e rs a l a r g e a n d e x te n s iv e s a m p le o f f a m ilie s l i v i n g
i n c itie s o f v a r io u s s iz e s , i n v il la g e s a n d o n f a r m s i n
s e v e r a l a r e a s o f t h e c o u n tr y .
T h e m a j o r p u r p o s e o f t h e s t u d y c e n t e r s i n t h e a n a ly s is
o f t h e w a y i n w h ic h A m e r ic a n fa m ilie s s p e n d t h e i r i n 
c o m e s , r a t h e r t h a n i n t h e a m o u n t o f in c o m e t h e y re c e iv e .
T h is p u r p o s e th e r e f o r e d e t e r m i n e d t h e c h o ic e o f c o m 
m u n it i e s c o v e re d b y t h e p r o j e c t , t h e c h a r a c t e r a n d s iz e
o f t h e s a m p le , a n d t h e d e f in iti o n s a n d c la s s if ic a ti o n s
u s e d i n o b t a in i n g a n d t a b u l a t i n g t h e d a t a .
M a n y o f th e s e d e f in iti o n s a n d c la s s if ic a ti o n s h a v e
b e e n c a rrie d o v e r fro m th e s u rv e y to th e p re s e n t s tu d y
o f in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n . B r i e f e x p l a n a ti o n s i n r e g a r d
to t h e m o r e i m p o r t a n t o f th e s e p o i n t s h a v e b e e n p r e 
s e n te d i n t h e p re c e d in g s e c tio n o f t h i s a p p e n d ix .
A d m in is tr a tio n o f th e S tu d y

T h e s tu d y w as c o n d u c te d b y th e B u re a u o f H o m e
E c o n o m ic s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f A g ri 
c u ltu re a n d th e B u re a u o f L a b o r S ta tis tic s o f th e U n ite d
S ta te s D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r, w ith th e c o o p e ra tio n o f
t h e N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m i tt e e , t h e C e n t r a l S t a 
t is t i c a l B o a r d , a n d t h e W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n .
T h e p la n s f o r t h e p r o j e c t w e r e f o r m u l a t e d b y t h e C o n 
s u m p tio n R e s e a rc h s ta ff o f th e N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s
C o m m i tt e e a n d t h e s ta f f s o f t h e tw o b u r e a u s , w i t h t h e
a d v ic e o f t h e tw o o t h e r c o o p e r a t i n g a g e n c ie s .
T h e f u n d s f o r t h e s t u d y w e r e s u p p lie d b y t h e W o r k s
P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n , a n d t h e d a t a w e r e c o lle c te d
a n d t a b u l a t e d w i t h t h e a id o f w o r k e r s s e le c te d f r o m
W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n ro lls . T h e fie ld w o r k
w a s s t a r t e d i n t h e e a r ly s p r in g o f 193 6 a n d t e r m i n a t e d
a t t h e c lo s e o f t h a t y e a r .
T h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e d ir e c t io n o f t h e s t u d y w a s d i
v id e d b e t w e e n t h e tw o b u r e a u s , t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e
E c o n o m ic s c o n d u c t in g t h e s u r v e y i n r u r a l f a r m a n d
n o n f a r m a r e a s a n d i n t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e s m a ll c it ie s
c o v e re d , a n d t h e B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t i s t i c s a s s u m in g
r e s p o n s i b il i ty f o r t h e o t h e r s m a ll c it ie s a n d f o r a ll o f t h e
l a r g e r u r b a n c o m m u n itie s . T h e p r o j e c t w a s c a r r ie d
o u t b y t h e b u r e a u s u n d e r t h e g u id a n c e o f a S te e r in g
C o m m i tt e e c o m p o s e d o f r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e fiv e
45

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

4 6

c o o p e r a tin g a g e n c ie s a n d w i t h t h e a id . o f a T e c h n ic a l
S u b c o m m itte e s i m ila r ly c o m p o s e d .2a
C o m m u n it ie s C o v e r e d b y t h e S a m p le

T h e c o m m u n itie s c o v e re d b y t h e s t u d y in c lu d e
c it ie s , 140 v illa g e s , a n d 66 f a r m c o u n ti e s . I n a ll,
S t a t e s a r e r e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e s a m p le . T h e l o c a tio n
t h e c o m m u n itie s is s h o w n o n t h e m a p p r e s e n te d

51
30
of
as

c h a r t 10.
T h e s e c o m m u n itie s w e r e s e le c te d so a s to p r o v id e a
b a s is f o r c o m p a r is o n s b e tw e e n d if f e r e n t re g io n s o f th e
c o u n t r y , b e tw e e n d if f e r e n t d e g r e e s o f u r b a n i z a t io n , a n d
b e tw e e n d if f e r e n t t y p e s o f fa r m in g . S in c e t h e n u m b e r
o f c o m m u n itie s w h ic h c o u ld b e in c lu d e d w a s n o t su ffi
c i e n t t o c o v e r a d e q u a t e l y a ll o f t h e m a j o r g e o g ra p h ic
a r e a s o r a ll siz e s o f c o m m u n ity , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to
c o n c e n t r a t e t h e s a m p le i n a fe w f a ir ly h o m o g e n e o u s
a r e a s a n d i n c o m m u n itie s o f c e r t a i n s iz e ra n g e s . I t
w a s a ls o n e c e s s a r y t o r e s t r i c t t h e f a r m s a m p le t o s e c 
t io n s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e m o r e i m p o r t a n t t y p e s o f f a r m in g .
T h i s p r o c e d u r e w a s a d o p te d t o f a c i l i t a t e c le a r - c u t
c o m p a r is o n s i n a n a ly z in g t h e e ffe c ts o f t h e v a r io u s f a c 
t o r s in flu e n c in g t h e c o n s u m p tio n h a b i t s o f t h e p o p u la 
tio n .
I n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h i s p o lic y , t h e u r b a n s a m p le
w a s l o c a te d w it h i n s ix g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s , f a i r l y c lo se ly
d e fin e d — N e w E n g l a n d , E a s t C e n t r a l , W e s t C e n t r a l ,
S o u th e a s t, R o c k y M o u n t a i n , a n d P a c ific N o r t h w e s t .
W i t h i n e a c h re g io n , t h e s a m p le in c lu d e d o n e la r g e
c it y , tw o o r t h r e e m id d le -s iz e d c itie s , a n d f r o m fo u r
t o n i n e s m a ll c itie s . I n a d d i ti o n , tw o v e r y l a r g e c itie s —
N e w Y o r k a n d C h ic a g o — w e re in c lu d e d to p r o v id e a
p i c t u r e o f m e t r o p o l i t a n liv in g .
T h e r u r a l s a m p le w a s s e le c te d to in c lu d e tw o o r m o re
g r o u p s o f v illa g e s a n d tw o o r m o r e g r o u p s o f f a r m
c o u n tie s w i t h i n e a c h o f t h e s e s ix re g io n s , w i t h a d d i 
t io n a l r u r a l s e c tio n s l o c a te d o u t s i d e o f th e s e a re a s .
I n c a r r y in g o u t t h e s t u d y i t w a s f o u n d n e c e s s a r y , f o r
a d m in is tra tiv e re a so n s, to m a k e so m e c h a n g e s in th e
o r ig in a l l i s t o f c o m m u n itie s , w h ic h l e d t o a r e g r o u p in g
o f t h e f a r m a n d v il la g e a r e a s a n d o f t h e s m a ll c it ie s i n
t h e W e s t C e n t r a l R e g io n , t h o s e i n t h e e a s t e r n h a l f o f
t h i s r e g io n b e in g c o m b in e d w i t h t h e E a s t C e n t r a l
R e g io n , a n d th o s e i n t h e w e s t e r n h a l f w it h t h e M o u n 
t a i n S ta te s .
T h is r e v is e d re g io n a l g ro u p in g h a s b e e n fo llo w e d in
u tiliz in g t h e d a t a i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y o f in c o m e d is 
t r i b u t i o n . A l i s t o f t h e S t a t e s in c lu d e d i n e a c h r e g io n
w a s p r e s e n t e d i n t h e p r e v io u s s e c tio n .3
T h e l i s t o f c itie s c o v e re d b y t h e s t u d y a p p e a r s in
t a b l e 1A i n t h e n e x t s e c ti o n o f t h i s a p p e n d ix .
T o th is
lis t, h o w e v e r, m u s t b e a d d e d n in e c it ie s a n d t h r e e r u r a l
s e c tio n s f o r w h ic h d a t a w e re c o lle c te d i n t h e S t u d y o f
2a F o r m e m b e r s h ip o f th e s e c o m m itt e e s , s e e fo o tn o te 42, p . 43.
3 S e e p p . 41-42.

C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s b u t n o t u ti liz e d i n t h e p r e s e n t
r e p o r t. T h e n a m e s o f th e s e c itie s a n d t h e r e a s o n s f o r
t h e i r o m is s io n a r e g iv e n i n f o o t n o t e 6 o n p a g e 5 6 .
T h e s iz e r a n g e s o f t h e c itie s a n d v il la g e s c o v e re d , a s
s h o w n b y t h e 193 0 C e n s u s o f p o p u la t io n , a r e a s fo llo w s :
N u m ber

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y

P o p u la tio n r an g e

2
6
14
29
140

3 ,3 7 6 ,4 3 8 -6 ,9 3 0 , 446
2 5 2 ,98 1 -3 0 1 ,8 1 5
30 ,5 6 7 -7 1 , 864
9 ,37 0 -1 8 ,9 0 1
5 4 4 -5 ,18 3

1 E ffo r t w a s m a d e to s e le c t v ill a g e s o f 1,000 to 2,500 p o p u la tio n . F o r a d m in is tr a 
t i v e r e a s o n s , h o w e v e r , i t w a s n e ce s s a r y to c h o o s e a n u m b e r o f v illa g e s o f le s s th a n
1,000, a n d a fe w o f a p p r o x im a te ly 3,000, w i th o n e (C a m d e n , S . C .) o f s li g h t ly o v e r 5,000.

T h e p a r t i c u l a r v illa g e s in c lu d e d in t h e s a m p le ,
g r o u p e d b y S t a t e s w it h i n t h e fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s
a d o p te d , w e re t h e fo llo w in g :
N e w E n g la n d (1 4 v i l l a g e s ) :
M a ssa c h u se tts:

A von,

E a st

B r id g e w a t e r ,

H e b r o n v il le ,

K in g s to n , N o r th E a s to n , N o r th D ig h to n , N o r th R a y n h a m , S o u t h H a n s o n - B r y a n t s v i l le
V e r m o n t : B r is to l, E s s e x
S w a n to n , W a t e r b u r y

J u n c t io n ,

N o r th f ie ld ,

R ic h fo r d ,

N o r t h C e n tr a l (4 6 v illa g e s ) :
I ll in o is : A t l a n t a ,

B e m e n t,

C erro

G ordo,

F arm er

M a r o a , M o n ti c e llo , M o u n t P u la s k i, T u s c o la
I o w a : B r o o k ly n ,
B u s s e y , D a ll a s ,
E a rlh a m ,

C it y ,

E d d y v il le ,

M e lc h e r , M o n te z u m a , N e w S h a r o n , P le a s a n t v i l le , S t a t e
C e n te r , V ic to r
M ic h ig a n : B lis s f ie ld , C h e ls e a , C o n c o r d , G r a ss L a k e , H u d 
s o n , J o n e s v ill e , P a r m a , T e c u m s e h
O h io : B e ll v il l e , C a r d in g t o n , F r e d e r ic k to w n , M o u n t G i le a d ,
P e r r y s v il le , P ly m o u t h
P e n n s y lv a n i a : D e n v e r ,
M a r ie tt a , N e w
F reedom ,
H o lla n d , Q u a r r y v ill e , S p r in g G r o v e , W r i g h ts v ille

N ew

W is c o n s in : H o r i c o n , L a k e M ill s , M a y v il le , M o u n t H o r e b ,
S u n P r a ir ie , W a t e r l o o
S o u t h (3 4 v i l l a g e s ) :
G e o r g ia : C o m e r , C o m m e r c e , G r e e n s b o r o , J e ffe r s o n , M a d i 
s o n , S o c ia l C ir c le , W a s h in g to n , W in d e r
M is s is s ip p i: D r e w , H o lla n d a le , I n d ia n o la , I t t a B e n a , L e la n d , M o o r h e a d , M o u n d B a y o u , R o s e d a le , R u le v ill e ,
S h a w , S h e lb y
N o r t h C a r o lin a : E l m C i t y , F r a n k li n to n , L o u is b u r g , N a s h 
v il le , S p r in g H o p e , W a k e F o r e s t , W h i ta k e r s , Z e b u lo n
S o u t h C a r o lin a : B is h o p v il le , C a m d e n , L a k e C it y , L a m a r ,
M a n n in g , S u m m e r to n , T im m o n s v i ll e
M o u n t a in a n d P la in s (2 2 v i l l a g e s ) :
C o lo r a d o : G le n w o o d S p r in g s , M e e k e r , R e d C liff, R ifle
K a n s a s : B u c k li n ,

C im a r r o n ,

F o w le r ,

K in sle y ,

M eade,

F in le y ,

H a tto n ,

S p e a r v ill e
M o n ta n a : F o r s y t h
. N o r t h D a k o t a : C a s s e lto n ,

C o o p e r s to w n ,

H ills b o r o , H o p e , L id g e r w o o d , M a y v ille , P o r t la n d
S o u t h D a k o t a : B e ll e F o u r c h e , S t u r g is
P a c if ic (2 4 v i l l a g e s ) :
C a lifo r n ia : B e a u m o n t , B r e a , C e r e s , E ls in o r e , H e m e t , L a
H a b r a , M a n te c a , N e w m a n , O a k d a le , P la c e n t ia , S a n
J a c in to , T u s t in
O r e g o n : M c M in n v il le , N e w b e r g , S h e r id a n , S i lv e r to n , W o o d b u rn
W a s h in g to n : A r lin g to n , B la in e , B u r l in g to n , L y n d e n , M a r y s 
v il le , M o n r o e , S n o h o m is h

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

47

T h e f a r m c o u n tie s in c lu d e d i n t h e s a m p le , a ls o
g r o u p e d a c c o r d in g t o S t a t e s w it h i n t h e g e o g ra p h ic
re g io n s , a r e l i s t e d b e lo w . T h e d o m i n a n t t y p e o f f a r m 
i n g p r e v a i li n g i n e a c h g r o u p o f c o u n tie s is a ls o in d i c a t e d .
N e w E n g la n d (4 c o u n t i e s ) :
M a s s a c h u s e t t s : 4 B r is to l, P ly m o u t h (d a ir y a n d p o u lt r y )
V e r m o n t : C h it t e n d e n , F r a n k li n (d a ir y )
N o r t h C e n tr a l (1 8 c o u n t ie s ) :
I ll in o is : D e W it t , L o g a n , M a c o n , P i a t t (c o r n o r c a s h g ra in )
I o w a : M a d is o n , M a h a s k a , M a r io n , M a r s h a ll, P o w e s h ie k
(a n im a l s p e c ia l t y )
M ic h ig a n : L e n a w e e (d a ir y a n d g e n e r a l)
N e w J e r s e y : 4 C a m d e n , G lo u c e s te r , S a le m (tr u c k )
O h io : C r a w fo r d , K n o x , R ic h la n d (g e n e r a l)
P e n n s y lv a n i a : L a n c a s te r (g e n e r a l)
W is c o n s in : D a n e (d a ir y )
S o u t h (2 2 c o u n t i e s ) :
G e o r g ia : C la r k e , E lb e r t, G r e e n e , J a c k s o n , M a d i s o n , M o r
g a n , O c o n e e , W ilk e s ( c o tt o n )
M is s is s ip p i: B o liv a r , L e flo r e , S u n f lo w e r , W a s h in g to n (c o t
to n )
N o r t h C a r o lin a : J a c k s o n , M a c o n (s e lf-s u ffic in g )
N o r t h C a r o lin a : E d g e c o m b e , N a s h ( c o t t o n a n d to b a c c o )
S o u th

C a r o lin a :

C la r e n d o n ,

D a r lin g to n ,

F lo r e n c e ,

L ee,

M a r io n , S u m t e r ( c o t t o n a n d to b a c c o )
M o u n t a in a n d P la i n s (1 3 c o u n t i e s ) :
C o lo r a d o : E a g le , G a r fie ld , R io B l a n c o (r a n g e liv e s t o c k )
K a n s a s : E d w a r d s , F o r d , G r a y , M e a d e (w h e a t o r c a s h g r a in )
M o n t a n a : C u s te r (r a n g e l i v e s t o c k a n d c a s h g r a in )
N o r t h D a k o t a : B a r n e s , C a s s , G r ig g s , S t e e le (w h e a t o r c a s h
g r a in )
S o u t h D a k o t a : P e n n i n g t o n (r a n g e l i v e s t o c k a n d c a s h g r a in )
P a c if ic (9 c o u n t i e s ) :
C a lif o r n ia : O r a n g e , R iv e r s id e (fr u it)
C a lifo r n ia : S a n J o a q u in (fr u it a n d d a ir y )
O r e g o n : 4 C la c k a m a s , M a r io n , M u ltn o m a h ,

P o lk ,

W ash 

i n g t o n (p a r t-t im e )
O r e g o n : M a r io n , P o lk (g e n e r a l a n d fr u it)
W a s h in g to n : W h a tc o m (p o u ltr y a n d d a ir y )

S a m p li n g P r o c e d u r e s

R a n d o m s a m p lin g m e t h o d s w e r e u s e d i n t h e s t u d y ,
w i t h c o n tr o lle d s a m p lin g s u p e r im p o s e d , t h r e e d i s t i n c t
s a m p le s b e in g t a k e n i n o b t a i n i n g t h e d a t a . T h e in f o r 
m a t i o n w a s o b t a i n e d b y fie ld a g e n ts , t h r o u g h p e r s o n a l
i n t e r v ie w w i t h t h e h o u s e w if e a n d o t h e r m e m b e r s o f t h e
fa m ily .
T h e R e c o r d C a r d S a m p l e . — A r a n d o m s a m p le o f a ll
t y p e s o f f a m ilie s w a s f ir s t t a k e n i n e a c h c o m m u n i t y
s e le c te d f o r s t u d y , e a c h d w e llin g u n i t b e in g g iv e n a n
e q u a l c h a n c e o f in c lu s io n . T h is s a m p le v a r ie d f r o m a
c o v e r a g e o f a p p r o x im a t e ly 4 p e r c e n t i n N e w Y o r k C i t y
t o a 100 p e r c e n t c o v e ra g e i n m o s t s m a ll c itie s a n d i n a ll
v il la g e s . A r e c o r d c a r d w a s fille d o u t f o r e a c h f a m ily
c o n t a c t e d , s u p p ly in g i n f o r m a ti o n o n t h e c o lo r a n d
n a t i v i t y g r o u p t o w h ic h t h e f a m ily b e lo n g e d a n d o n t h e
c o m p o s itio n o f t h e f a m ily , a n d c e r t a i n o t h e r i n f o r m a 
t i o n n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e s e le c tio n o f fa m ilie s t o b e i n t e r 
v ie w e d in t h e s e c o n d o r in c o m e s a m p le .
4 N o t u t iliz e d in p r e s e n t s t u d y o f in c o m e d i s tr ib u ti o n .

The

In c o m e

S a m p le .— T h e

in c o m e

s a m p le

w as

lim ite d i n m o s t c o m m u n itie s t o n a t i v e - w h i t e f a m ilie s
t h a t h a d c o n t a i n e d b o t h h u s b a n d a n d w ife t h r o u g h o u t
t h e s c h e d u le y e a r a n d t h a t m a i n t a i n e d h o u s e k e e p in g
q u a r t e r s a t t h e t im e o f t h e in te r v ie w . F o r f a r m f a m i 
lie s t h e r e w e r e t h e a d d i t i o n a l r e q u i r e m e n t s t h a t t h e
h o m e m e e t t h e c e n s u s d e f in iti o n o f a f a r m , a n d t h a t t h e
f a m ily h a d o p e r a t e d t h e f a r m t h r o u g h o u t t h e p r e c e d 
i n g y e a r . N a t i v e N e g r o n o r m a l f a m ilie s w e r e in c lu d e d
i n t h e r e g u l a r s a m p le i n a ll r u r a l a n d u r b a n c o m m u n i
t ie s s u r v e y e d i n t h e S o u t h e a s t a r e a a n d in N e w Y o r k
C i t y a n d C o lu m b u s , O h io .
T h u s t h e in c o m e s a m p le w a s a r a n d o m s a m p le d r a w n
f r o m a b r o a d e r r a n d o m s a m p le a n d c o m p r is e d o f a ll
f a m ilie s t h a t m e t c e r t a i n fix e d q u a lif ic a tio n s a d m i t t i n g
t h e m t o t h e “ u n i v e r s e ” s e le c te d f o r s t u d y . 6 F r o m a ll
s u c h “ e lig ib le ” fa m ilie s , d e t a il e d d a t a o n in c o m e ,
f a m ily c o m p o s iti o n , o c c u p a tio n , a n d h o u s in g w e re o b 
t a i n e d b y m e a n s o f a s h o r t s a m p lin g s c h e d u le c a ll e d t h e
f a m i l y s c h e d u le .
T h e in f o r m a ti o n o b t a i n e d f r o m e a c h
fa m ily c o v e re d t h e 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d i m m e d ia t e l y p r e 
c e d in g t h e in t e r v ie w o r — i n t h e c a s e o f s o m e fa m ilie s
in te r v ie w e d i n t h e s p r in g m o n t h s — t h e c a le n d a r y e a r
1935.
I n c e r t a i n c o m m u n itie s fa m ily s c h e d u le d a t a w e re
a ls o o b t a in e d f r o m a r e l a t i v e l y s m a ll r a n d o m s a m p le
o f t h e fa m ilie s t h a t w e r e in e lig ib le f o r t h e r e g u l a r in c o m e
s a m p le , in c lu d in g fa m ilie s i n w h ic h e i t h e r h u s b a n d o r
w ife w a s f o r e ig n - b o r n , N e g r o f a m ilie s i n c o m m u n itie s
w h e r e t h e y w e r e n o t in c lu d e d in t h e r e g u l a r s a m p le ,
a n d fa m ilie s n o t c o n t a i n in g b o t h h u s b a n d a n d w ife .
T h is s a m p le o f i n e l ig i b l e s 6 s u p p lie d i n f o r m a t i o n o n
t h e r e l a t i v e in c o m e s t a t u s o f th e s e le s s n u m e r o u s
g ro u p s i n t h e p o p u la t io n a n d m a d e i t p o s s ib le t o o b t a i n
a n o v e r - a ll p i c t u r e o f in c o m e , o c c u p a tio n , a n d f a m ily t y p e d is t r i b u t i o n s i n t h e s a m p le c o m m u n itie s c o v e r e d .7
T h e C o n s u m p tio n S a m p le .— T h e
i n f o r m a ti o n o n
fa m ily e x p e n d itu r e s a n d s a v in g s w a s o b ta in e d f r o m a
t h i r d s a m p le o f fa m ilie s , s e le c te d f r o m t h e in c o m e
s a m p le o n t h e b a s is o f c e r t a i n c o n tr o ls d e s ig n e d to
l i m i t t h e t y p e s o f fa m ilie s a n d t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s
o f e a c h t y p e i n te r v ie w e d . T h is i n f o r m a ti o n , w h ic h
c o n s t i t u t e s t h e c o r e o f t h e s t u d y , w a s c o lle c te d b y m e a n s
o f a n e x p e n d i t u r e s c h e d u le , c o v e ri n g t h e g o o d s a n d
s e rv ic e s p u r c h a s e d b y t h e f a m ily a n d c h a n g e s i n fa m ily
8 S in g le in d iv id u a ls w e re in c lu d e d in t h e in c o m e s a m p le in fo u r c itie s — P r o v id e n c e ,
R . I . , C o lu m b u s , O h io , P o r t la n d , O re g ., a n d C h ic a g o , 111. S e e p . 6 7 b e lo w .
e R e fe r re d t o e ls e w h e r e i n th i s r e p o r t a s t h e “ c lip p e d s a m p l e ”— s o -c a lle d b e c a u s e
t h e c o r n e r s o f t h e f a m i l y s c h e d u l e s w e r e c lip p e d o ff t o d i s t in g u is h th e m from th e
s c h e d u le s fr o m t h e r e g u la r in c o m e s a m p le .
? S u c h s a m p l e s w e r e ta k e n i n a l l o f t h e 51 c it i e s c o v e r e d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n 

s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , e x c e p t t h e fo llo w in g 12: A s to r ia , O reg.; B e a v e r D a m , W is .; B o o n e ,
I o w a ; D o d g e C i t y , K a n s .; G re e le y , C o lo .; G re e n fie ld , M a s s .; K la m a t h F a lls , O reg.;
M o b e r l y , M o .; N e w P h ila d e lp h i a , O h io ; N e w Y o r k , N . Y .; P r o v o , U ta h ; W illim a n ti c , C o n n . I n a d d it io n , c lip p e d s a m p l e s w e r e ta k e n i n t h e fo llo w in g fi v e fa r m
area s: C a lifo r n ia , I l l in o is , M ic h i g a n , P e n n s y lv a n ia , W a s h in g to n .
T h e c lip p e d
s a m p le d a t a for a l l o f th e s e c o m m u n it ie s , h o w e v e r , w e r e n o t u ti li z e d i n t h e presentr e p o r t. T h e l is t o f th e c o m m u n i tie s th a t w e r e o m it t e d is g iv e n in fo o tn o te 6. o n p . 57

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

48

a s s e ts a n d lia b ilitie s d u r in g t h e 12 m o n th s c o v e re d b y
t h e in c o m e s c h e d u le .
T h e e x p e n d itu r e s c h e d u le w a s s u p p le m e n te d , fo r
t h o s e f a m ilie s w illin g a n d a b le t o g iv e m o r e d e ta ile d
i n f o r m a ti o n , b y c h e c k l is ts o n sp e c ific i te m s o f c lo th in g ,
f u r n is h in g s a n d e q u i p m e n t p u r c h a s e d d u r in g t h e s c h e d 
u le y e a r , a n d b y a c h e c k l i s t o n fo o d e x p e n d itu r e f o r a
7 - d a y p e r io d . W e e k ly re c o r d s o f fo o d c o n s u m p tio n ,
k e p t b y t h e h o u s e w if e a t s e v e r a l s e a s o n s o f t h e y e a r ,
w e r e a ls o o b t a in e d f r o m a s t i ll m o r e l im it e d s a m p le o f
fa m ilie s .

i te m o f in c o m e f r o m t h e s c h e d u le s p r o v e d to b e a
s e rio u s h a n d ic a p i n u tiliz in g t h e d a t a i n t h e p r e s e n t
s t u d y o f c o n s u m e r in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n . T h e m e t h o d s
u s e d t o o ffs e t t h i s o m is s io n a r e d e s c r ib e d i n o t h e r s e c 
tio n s o f t h i s r e p o r t.
S in c e t h e r e c o r d c a r d s e rv e d a s a s a m p lin g d e v ic e i n
th e s t u d y to f a c il i t a t e t h e s e le c tio n o f f a m ilie s i n t e r 
v ie w e d i n t h e in c o m e s a m p le , i t is a ls o r e p r o d u c e d i n
fa c s im ile b e lo w . B o t h t h e f a r m re c o r d c a r d a n d t h a t
u s e d fo r u r b a n fa m ilie s a r e p r e s e n te d . T h e c a r d u s e d
fo r v illa g e fa m ilie s w a s i d e n tic a l w it h t h a t fo r t h e u r b a n
g ro u p .

T h e S c h e d u le s U s e d

T h e fa m ily s c h e d u le s o b t a in e d i n t h e in c o m e s a m p le
c o n t a i n e d a ll o f t h e i n f o r m a ti o n f r o m t h e C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s S t u d y u tiliz e d i n t h e p r e s e n t r e p o r t o n th e
d i s t r i b u t i o n o f c o n s u m e r in c o m e . T h e s c h e d u le s u s e d
f o r u r b a n fa m ilie s b y t h e B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t is t i c s
a n d f o r f a r m fa m ilie s b y t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s
a r e s h o w n i n fa c s im ile b e lo w .
T h e s c h e d u le f o r v illa g e a n d s m a ll- c ity f a m ilie s u s e d
b y t h e l a t t e r b u r e a u w a s id e n ti c a l i n c o n t e n t a n d
w o r d in g w i t h t h e u r b a n s c h e d u le s h o w n , e x c e p t t h a t
f o r t h e v illa g e g r o u p a n a d d i ti o n a l s e t o f q u e s tio n s w a s
in c lu d e d t o c o v e r t h e e s t im a t e d m o n e y v a lu e o f f r u i t s
a n d v e g e ta b le s , p o u l t r y a n d o t h e r fo o d s p r o d u c e d b y
t h e f a m ilie s f o r t h e i r o w n u s e . T h is s o u r c e o f fa m ily
in c o m e o c c u rs so i n f r e q u e n t l y in u r b a n c o m m u n itie s
t h a t i t w a s n o t c o n s id e r e d n e c e s s a ry to p r o v id e f o r i t
i n t h e s c h e d u le u s e d fo r c it y fa m ilie s .
T h e f a r m a n d u r b a n s c h e d u le s w e re id e n tic a l, i t w ill
b e n o tic e d , f o r q u e s tio n s o n t h e c o m p o s iti o n o f t h e e c o 
n o m ic fa m ily a n d t h e h o u s e h o ld , a n d o n m o s t o f t h e
ite m s o f in c o m e . A n u m b e r o f a d d i ti o n a l q u e s tio n s ,
h o w e v e r, w e re n e e d e d o n t h e f a r m s c h e d u le i n o r d e r to
a r r i v e a t t h e n e t in c o m e f r o m t h e f a r m d u r in g t h e
s c h e d u le y e a r .
W i t h a ll o f t h e s c h e d u le s u s e d , t h e i n f o r m a ti o n o n
e a r n in g s w a s o b t a in e d i n c a r e f u l d e t a il , so a s t o in s u r e
t h e in c lu s io n o f a ll o f t h e e a r n in g s o f e a c h m e m b e r o f
t h e f a m ily d u r in g t h e y e a r . W o r k r e lie f e a r n in g s w e re
e n t e r e d in t h e s a m e s e c ti o n o f t h e s c h e d u le s a s w e re
e a r n in g s fr o m o t h e r e m p lo y m e n t. O n t h e u r b a n a n d
v illa g e s c h e d u le s , a c o lu m n w a s p r o v id e d fo r in d i c a t in g
t h e s t a t u s o f t h e w o rk e r— w h e t h e r s a la r ie d o r w a g e
e a r n i n g (d e s ig n a te d s), w o rk re lie f (d e s ig n a te d x ), o r
w o r k in g o n o w n a c c o u n t ( d e s ig n a te d o ).
T h e l a s t q u e s tio n s c a ll e d f o r o n t h e s c h e d u le s , i t w ill
b e o b s e r v e d , a s k e d w h e t h e r t h e f a m ily h a d re c e iv e d
r e lie f in a n y fo rm a t a n y tim e d u r in g t h e y e a r . A l
th o u g h t h e a m o u n t o f w o rk re lie f e a r n in g s w a s r e 
c o r d e d , n o a t t e m p t w a s m a d e t o d e te r m in e t h e a m o u n t
o f d ir e c t r e lie f re c e iv e d , e it h e r in c a s h o r i n k in d , a s i t
w a s f e l t t h a t s u c h e s t im a t e s w o u ld b e to o m u c h s u b j e c t
to e r r o r to j u s t i f y t a b u la t io n . T h e o m is s io n o f th is

N u m b e r a n d D i s t r ib u t i o n o f
F a m i li e s in In c o m e S a m p l e

T h e b r o a d r a n d o m s a m p le o f fa m ilie s c o n t a c t e d in
t h e r e c o r d c a r d s a m p le t o t a ll e d a p p r o x im a t e ly 7 0 0 ,0 0 0
fa m ilie s . F a m il y s c h e d u le s , c o n t a i n in g in c o m e d a t a ,
w e re o b t a in e d f r o m a b o u t 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 o f th e s e fa m ilie s .
O f t h i s n u m b e r , a b o u t 2 7 4 ,0 0 0 w e re u s e d i n p r e p a r i n g
t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s r e p o r t.
T h e d is t r i b u t i o n o f th e s e s a m p le fa m ilie s a c c o rd in g to r e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y is s u m m a r i z e d in
t a b l e 10A b e lo w , a n d t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n b y c o l o r - n a ti v it y
g r o u p i n u r b a n a n d i n r u r a l c o m m u n itie s w it h i n e a c h
r e g io n is i n d i c a t e d i n t a b l e 11 A .
W i t h r e s p e c t t o o c c u p a t io n a n d to f a m ily s iz e , t h e
s a m p le w a s r a n d o m w it h i n e a c h c o m m u n i t y f o r t h e
u n iv e r s e c o v e re d , a n d — a s e ls e w h e r e i n d i c a t e d 8—
s e rv e d i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y a s a b a s is f o r d i s t r i b u t i n g
a ll n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n t h e p o p u la t io n a c c o r d in g t o th e s e
f a c to r s .
W i t h r e s p e c t to in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n , t h e s a m p le w a s
o f c o u rs e a ls o r a n d o m w it h i n e a c h c o m m u n ity . B u t —
a s in d i c a t e d a t o t h e r p o i n ts i n t h e r e p o r t — t h e r e is
re a s o n t o b e lie v e t h a t t h e n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s in c lu d e d
i n t h e s a m p le a t t h e h ig h in c o m e le v e ls s o m e w h a t
u n d e r r e p r e s e n t s t h e t o t a l n u m b e r i n t h e p o p u la t io n .
A lt h o u g h e v e r y e ff o rt w a s m a d e t o m a i n t a i n t h e r a n 
d o m n e s s o f t h e s a m p le , fa m ilie s i n t h e w e a lth ie r n e ig h 
b o r h o o d s w e re m o r e f r e q u e n t l y fo u n d to b e a w a y f r o m
h o m e a n d m o r e f r e q u e n t l y r e f u s e d to g iv e t h e i n f o r m a 
t i o n d e s ir e d , a n d th e s e d if fic u ltie s c o u ld n o t b e e n t i r e l y
o ffs e t b y t h e c o r r e c tiv e s a m p lin g p r o c e d u r e s a d o p te d .
T h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s o b t a in e d f r o m t h e s a m p le f o r
in c o m e le v e ls o f $ 7 ,5 0 0 a n d o v e r w e re th e r e f o r e a d 
j u s t e d , i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y , o n t h e b a s is o f d a t a f r o m
F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s f o r 1 935 a n d 1 9 3 6 .9
M e th o d s U s e d to A s s u re
R e lia b ility o f D a ta

I n a s t u d y o f t h i s t y p e , a n d e s p e c ia lly i n o n e o f t h i s
m a g n i t u d e , s o m e q u e s tio n i n e v it a b l y a ri s e s a s to t h e
s S e e p p . 7 4 -7 5 .

9 S e e s ec . 7 o f th i s a p p e n d ix .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

49
U r b a n f a m i l y s c h e d u le u s e d w i t h in c o m e s a m -p le

FRONT
C O N F ID E N T I A L .— T h e in f o r m a t i o n r e q u e s te d
t h i s s c h e d u l e is s t r i c t l y c o n f i d e n t i a l .
G iv in g it
v o lu n ta r y .
I t w ill n o t b e s e e n b y a n y e x c e p t s w o
a g e n ts o f th e c o o p e r a tin g a g e n c ie s a n d w ill n o t
a v a ila b le fo r ta x a tio n p u r p o s e s .

I.

in
is
rn
be

C ode N o _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

U . S . D EPA RTM EN T O F LABOR
B U R E A U O F L A B O R S T A T IS T IC S
IN

C O O P E R A T IO N

W IT H

N A T IO N A L R E S O U R C E S C O M M IT T E E
W O R K S P R O G R E S S A D M IN IS T R A T IO N
D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R IC U L T U R E
W A S H IN G T O N

YEAR CO VERED BY SCHEDULE

T w elve m onths b egin n in g ................... , 1935,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and e n d i n g ................., 193_
II.

B . L i. S . 9 3 7

A FE D E R A L W O R K S P R O JEC T
F A M IL Y S C H E D U L E — U R B A N
III.

M e m b e r s o f e c o n o m i c fa m ily (all
p e r s o n s s h a r i n g fa m ily in c o m e ,
in c l u d i n g t h o s e t e m p o r a r i l y
a w a y fr o m h o m e )

A ge
a t la s t
b irth 
day

In
ho m e

fro m
hom e

O TH E R M E M B E R S OF H O USEHO LD
( d u r in g s c h e d u le y e a r)
P e r
sons

S ta tu s

No.
w eeks

1. Sons and daughters boarding
and room ing a t hom e:
Other room ers w ith board......

2.

1. H usband..
2. W ife........
O t h e r M e m b e r s o f F a m ily (g iv e r e la tio n s h ip )

3.

4.

IV . H O M E O W N E R S H IP

5.

6.

____________ ___________________

7

1. N um ber o f m onth s during schedule year
living:
a . A s ren ter__ b . A s owner: 1st h o m e _ _ _
2 d h o m e __

......................... . .......................

8

9........................................................
10______ ______ _________ ______
I f a n y m em ber o f fam ily died during year,
circle num ber in front of nam e.
h 3 2 so

-

A g e n t_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
D a te of in ter view ............... , 1936.

S T U D Y O F C O N SU M E R PU R C H A SE S

F A M I L Y C O M P O S I T I O N ( d u r in g s c h e d u le y e a r)

N u m b e r of
w eek s d u r 
in g y e a r

Schedule N o. ............................. _
C i ty _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D is t................

IF A N

o w n e r

1st h o m e

:

V . R E S ID E N C E IN

T H I S C IT Y

For h ow m an y m on th s o f
schedule year d id th e fam ily liv e in
th is c i t y ? ...................................... V I. L IV IN G Q U A R T E R S O C C U P I E D
___________ ( a t d a te o f in te r v ie w ) ____________

1. D id fa m ily o c c u p y th ese liv in g
quarters a t en d o f schedule
year? a . D Y es.
b. □
N o.
2. D oes fam ily D ow n or D ren t
th ese liv in g quarters?
3. M on th ly ren t $ ..____ , if renter.
4. T y p e o f liv in g quarters:
O ne-fam ily house:
a . □ D etach ed.
b . □ A ttach ed.
T w o-fam ily house:
c . D S id e b y sid e.
d . D T w o decker.
A partm ent in building for:
e . □ Three fam ilies.
/ . □ Four fam ilies.
g . □ F iv e or m ore fam ilies.
D w elling u n it in business bldg.:

h. □

R oom or rooms:
i . D W ith another fam ily.
j . d i n room ing house.
Other:
k . □ ___________________ _

2d hom e

2 . Monthly rental value..... ........ $ .............. . $ ........... .
3 . Was home mortgaged (or being
fa. D Y es. а . D Y es.
purchased onland contract)?_
\ b . Q N o.
б. D N o.
4 . If mortgaged, interest on mort
gage (or land contract) for
months occupied................. $ ................ $ ................

v n . COLOR

a.

□

W hite.

b.

□

Negro.

BACK
V IH . M O N E Y E A R N IN G S O F F A M I L Y F R O M

E M P L O Y M E N T O R B U S IN E S S O U T S I D E O F H O M E O R A T H O M E
( d u r in g s c h e d u le y e a r)

A

1 B

1

D

C

M e m b e rs o f fa m ily g a in fu l ly e m p lo y e d

R e la tio n s h ip

1. .

L in e
N o.
II A

A ge

j

E

F

G

H

J

R a t e o f e a rn in g s p e r u n i t
of t im e

T im e e m 
p lo y e d (u se
s a m e ti m e
u n i t a s in
co l. G )

T o ta l m on ey
e a rn in g s fro m
e m p lo y m e n t
o r b u s in e s s

O C C U P A T IO N d u rin g y ea r
K in d o f w o rk (s u c h a s m a 
c h in is t, b o o k k e e p e r, m e r 
c h a n t , a u t h o r)

S ta tu s of
w o rk e r
(s , x , 0 )

N a t u r e o f i n d u s t r y (s uc h as
c o tt o n m ill , b a n k , sh o o
s to re , in d e p e n d e n t)

. . . _____ ____ _____

$

2 ..........................................
3.

............ .............. ...........

4 ................. .......... ............
5.

__________ ________

6.

......................................

7 ......................... ..............
8.

__________________

9.

__________________

10.

......................................
IX . O T H E R M O N E Y IN C O M E

1.
2.

Incom e from room ers and boarders (gross)..
Incom e from w ork in hom e n o t entered in

3. In terest and d ividen ds from stock s, bonds,

5.

R en ts from property, less expenses..............

6.

Pensions, annuities, benefits................ .......

T o ta l fo r y e a r

$ ...... ............. ...............

I X . O T H E R M O N E Y I N C O M E (c o n tin u e d )
7.

G ifts in cash for current use from persons
n o t m em bers o f econom ic fam ily..... ....

8. L osses in bu sin ess (sub tract).
9.

T

o t a l

$

_______

m oney incom e..... ..............

T o ta l f o r y e a r

$ .........................................
X

X

X

X

X

$ ____________________

10. H as fam ily received direct relief (in cash or kind), during
schedule year? a . D Y es. b . D N o .
11. H a s an y m em ber o f fam ily had work relief during schedule
year? a . D C ash . 6 . □ K ind. c . D N o n e.
B . 8 . GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

l i —3280

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

5 0
F a r m f a m i l y s c h e d u le u s e d w ith in c o m e s a m p le

FRONT

B B S 100
1

YB A B C O V E R E D BY S C H E D U L E

U. S.

T w e l v e m o n t h s b e g i n n i n g ---------------------------------- - 1 9 3 5

D EPA R TM EN T
B U R EA U

______ a n d e n d i n g ................................................... 1 9 3

O F

O F

H O M E

N u m b e r in e c o n o m ic
f a m il y ...................... —

A G R IC U L T U R E

E C O N O M IC S

IN C O O P E R A T I O N W I T H
N A T IO N A L
W O R K S

I n c . ..

R E S O U R C E S C O M M IT T E E

P R O G R E S S

A D M IN IS T R A T IO N

AND
D E PA R T M E N T O F

C lr . ..

C o u n t y ...............

LA B O R

A t h om o

A way
fro m

STU D Y

OF

CON SU M ER

M . C . D .............

A g e n t ..

W A S H IN G T O N
M e m b e r s o f e c o n o m ic fa m i l y (a l l p e r 
s o n s s h a ri n g f a m il y In c o m e , i n c l u d 
i n g th o s e t e m p o r a r i l y w a y fro m

C o d e N o ............ .
F a m i ly
s c h e d u le N o . .
E x p e n d it u r e
s c h e d u le N o . .

PURCHASES

IV . F A R M

E X P E N S E S d u rin g s c h e d u le y e a r

A FED ER A L W O R K S PR O JE C T

F A M IL Y S C H E D U L E — F A R M

H ir e d l a b o r fo r f a r m ..
L i v e s to c k p u r c h a s e d f o r r e s a le o r r e 
p l a c e m e n t . . .................................. - ........

C O N F I D E N T I A L —1T h e In fo rm a t io n r e q u e s t e d lu t h i s s c h e d u l e is
s t r i c t l y c o n f i d e n t i a l . G i v in g i t la v o l u n t a ry . I t w ill n o t b e s e e n b y a n y
e x c e p t s w o rn a g e n t s o f t h e c o o p e r a t in g a g e n c i e s a n d w ill n o t b e a v a i l a b l e
fo r ta x a t i o n p u rp o e c e .

ciberò o f family (gire relationship)

i n . G R O S S M O N E Y IN C O M E F R O M
d u r in g s c h e d u le y ea r

F A R M IN G

3 . F e e d , h a y , s tr a w .. .
. F e r t il iz e r , s p r a y in g m a te r ia L ..

T o t a l fo r y e a r

. S e e d s , p l a n t s , tr e e s --------------M o n e y r e c e iv e d fr o m s a l e s o f:

6

. M a c h in e r y , t o o ls (r e p a i r s , r e p la c e 
m e n t s ) -- ----------------- ------ ------------

....

. G a s o li n e , o il , tir e s , e t c . , f o r fa r m p r o 
d u c tio n —

7 _____

8.

8 . R e p a i r s o n fa r m b u i ld i n g s a n d f e n c e s .
___

9 . T a x e s a n d i n s u r a n c e o n fa r m p r o p 
e r t y ------- -- ---------------------------- ------

9 . ___

I f a n y m e m b e r o f f a m i l y d i e d d u r in g s c h e d u le y e a r ,
c ir c l e n u m b e r i n f r o n t o f n a m e .
Other persona Urina In home for

01

1 0 . I n t e r e s t a n d r e f in a n c in g c h a r g e s o n
fa r m m o r t g a g e ---------------- -----------

7 . D a ir y p r o d u c t s ( m il k , c r e a m , b u t t e r -

1 1 . R e n t f o r la n d a n d b u i ld i n g s ......... .

e w e e k s d u r in g s c h e d a le yci

8 . P o u l t r y ( e g g s , c h ic k e n s , t u r k e y s , d u c k s ,
T o ta l n u m b e r
h o u s e h o ld

1 1 . S o n s a n d d a u g h te r s b oar d in g
a n d r o o m in g a t h o m e (s p e c 
i f y a g e a n d s e x ................. .......

1 2 . O th e r fa r m e x p e n s e s .......................

13. _____________________________T o t a l ...

9 . L iv e s to c k ( c a ttle , c a lv e s , h o g s , sh e e p ,

T o t a l a c r e s in f a r m (s ) o p e r a t e d ..
M o n e y r e c e iv e d fr o m o t h e r s o u r c e s :
1 1 . A . A . A . b e n e f it a n d r e n t a l p a y m e n t s
( s p e c i f y p r o d u c t b y l in e n u m b e r

1 2 . O th e r r o o m e r s w i t h b o a r d .......

A c r e s o w n e d ..... ............. .................
A c r e s c a s h r e n t e d ------------ -------

13. R o o m e r s w i t h o u t b o a r d ---------

A c r e s s h a r e r e n t e d --------------- . . .

14. B o a r d e r s w i t h o u t r o o m ------

T o t a l ...............

13.

$ .................... 1

, I f s h a r e r e n t e d , d o e s o w n e r fu r n i s h a l l o f t h e w o r k
a n im a l s ;
a. □
Y es.
b. □
N o.

1 5 . T o u r is t s a n d t r a n s i e n t s .............

T y pe

1C . G u e s t s ( o v e r n ig h t o r l o n g e r ) .. .

of

o f fa r m .
p r o d u cts.

F a r m.— C ir c le l in e n u m b e r o f m a in p r o d u c t
I f g e n e r a l fa r m , c ir c le l in e n u m b e r s o f m a in

. V a lu e o f f a r m (s ) (la n d a n d b u i l d i n g s ) - $ .....................
1

. V a lu e o f f a m il y ’s d w e ll in g .......................

1 7 . P a id h e l p li v in g in ......................

S....................

(OVEB)

8ACK
v m . V A L U E O F P R O D U C T S F U R N IS H E D BY
F A R M F O B F A M IL Y ’S O W N U S E d u r i n g s c h e d u l e

1. M il k fo r d r in k i n g a n d c o o k i n g :
Q u a rts p e r w e e k __________

M e m b e r s o f fa m il y g a i n f u l l y e m p l o y e d

L in e
num ber

O c c u p a t i o n s d u r i n g y e a r (g i v r
k i n d o f w o rk a n d n a t u r e o f in
d u s t r y , s u c h a s la b o r e r o n ro a d
w o rk )

T o ta l m on ey
e a r n i n g s from
em p lo y m e n t

N u m b e r o f w e e k s ..
2 . C r e a m fo r t a b i c u s e a n d f o r b u t t e r :
Q u a r t s p e r w e e k .............................
N u m b e r o f w e e k s ____ _ _ _ _

gs:F a ll a n d w i n t e r :

.. p e r . _

D o z e n p e r w e e k _____
N u m b e r o f w e e k s ____
S p r in g a n d su m m er:
D
D o iz e n p e r w e e k .

-per-.......
.. p e r ............

N u m b e r o f w e e k s ----4 . P o u l t r y fo r m e a t:
W in t e r a n d s p r in g :
N u m b e r p e r m o n t h ..

.. p e r ---------

N u m ber o f m o n th s..
S u m m e r a n d fa ll:
N u m b e r p e r m o n t h ..

. . p e r . -------. .p e r ............

N u m b e r o f m o n t h s ..
5 . P o r k , d r e s s e d w e ig h t:

..p e r _ _ _ _ _ _

P o u n d s f o r y e a r ________
..p e r ...

6 . O th e r m e a t s , d r e s s e d w e ig h t:
P o u n d s fo r y e a r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

To t a l 0 - 8 )

7 . P o t a t o e s (w h it e ) :
B u s h e ls fo r y e a r _____

8 . V a lu e o f o th e r fo o d fr o m fa r m g a r d e n .
1 . F r o m r o o m e r s a n d b o a r d e r s (g r o s s ) ---2 . F r o m s a l e o f h o m e - m a d e p r o d u c t s -----3 . F r o m w o r k in h o m e n o t e n t e r e d in V I
a b o v e (s p e c ify )___________________
4 . I n t e r e s t a n d d i v i d e n d s fr o m b o n d s ,
s to c k s , b a n k a c c o u n ts , tr u s t fu n d s,
5 . P r o fit s n o t in c lu d e d i n V I a b o v e , l e s s
e x p e n s e s ....................................................
6 . R e n t s f r o m p r o p e r ty , l e s s e x p e n s e s .. .
7 . T e n s io n s , a n n u it i e s , b e n e f its ...............

8 . G i f t s in c a s h fo r c u r r e n t u s e fr o m
p e r s o n s n o t m e m b e r s o f e c o n o m ic
f a m il y _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

9 . V a lu e o f f r u it s ...... .....................................
1 0 . V a lu e o f o th e r fo o d (s i r u p s , g ra in
p r o d u c ts, e t c . ) ., __________________

9 . O th e r m o n e y in c o m e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10.

Total (1-9)_____

1 1 . V a lu e o f fu e l. ..

1 1 . L o s s e s fr o m b u s in e s s n o t d e d u c t e d
a b o v e ________________________

. V a lu e o f o th e r p r o d u c t s (w o o l , t o 
b a c c o , e t c . ) ........ ....................................

1 2 . D if f e r e n c e (1 0 m in u s 1 1 ) ..
1 3 . H a s f a m il y r e c e iv e d 'd i r e c t r e li e f ( i n f a .
c a s h o r k in d ) d u r in g s c h e d u le y e a r ? \6 .

{

a.

1 4 . H a s a n y m e m b e r o f fa m H y h a d (
5.
w o r k r e li e f d u r in g s c h e d u le y ea r ?
c.

□
□
□
□
□

Y es.
N o.
C ash .
K in d .
N one.

X. COLOR:

o. □

W h ite .

b.

□

N egro.

T o t a l v a l u e fo r y e a r

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

51
R e c o rd c a r d s u s e d w ith

u r b a n a n d w ith f a r m

fa m ilie s

B . I i. S . 9 4 6

C O N F ID E N T I A L .— T h e in fo r m a tio n r e q u e s te d in
t h i s s c h e d u le is s tr ic tli/ c o n fid e n tia l.
G iv in g i t is
v o lu n ta r y .
I t w ill n o t b e se e n b y a n y e x c e p t sw o rn
a g e n ts o f th e c o o p e r a tin g a g e n c ie s a n d w ill n o t b e
a v a ila b le f o r t a x a t i o n p u r p o s e s .______________________

U . S . D EPA R TM EN T

BUREAU

O F LABOR

S c h e d u le N o .
O F

LABOR

E . D .............

S T A T IS T IC S

I N C O O P E R A T IO N W I T H

ST U D Y O F C O N SU M E R PU R C H A SE S
A FED ERA L

W O RK S

N A T IO N A L

P R O JE C T

R E S O U R C E S C O M M IT T E E

W ORKS PR O G R ESS

R E C O R D C A R D —U R B A N

A g e n t ...........

A D M IN IS T R A T IO N

D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R IC U L T U R E

E d i t o r ____

W A S H IN G T O N

(S ta te)

(C ity )

Bo r n I n Un it e d St a t es
1. S tr e e t a n d n u m b e r..

Y es

2. T y p e o f s tr u c tu r e 1..

10.
11.

O V a ca n t

T im e
of
d ay

D a te

V isit

A t hom e

Inform ation
ob tain ed

No

Y es

H u s b a n d or m a le h e a d

□

□
□

W ife or fe m a le h e a d

12. R e s id e n c e in (a) h o u s ek e e p in g q u arters, or (6) room s
w ith a n o th e r fa m ily , in ro o m in g h o u s e, h o te l, or
in s titu tio n :

T e le p h o n e ..

4. N a m e ............

No

□

P erson
in terv iew ed

a.

G H o u s ek e e p in g q u arters

b.

f~l R o o m s o n ly

1 3 . E c o n o m ic fa m ily in c lu d e s h u s b a n d a n d w ife :i2
□

a.

Y es

b. G

No

I f yes:
c. N u m b e r o f y e a r s m arried:

7. T h ir d ............
8 . C olor:

a .

G

b.

G N e g ro

c.

G O th er

(1) O H ess th a n on e

9. N u m b er in e c o n o m ic fa m ily :

W h ite

a.
b.

(2) G O n e o r m o re

G T w o or m o re p erson s

I f there is N O C H E C K in a n y of th e h e a v y b o res, req u est fam ily
sch ed u le.

G O n e p erson

i Specify on e-fam ily h o u se, d etach ed , sem id etach ed or row ; tw o -fa m ily h ou se, sid e b y sid e or tw o decker; th ree-, four-, five- or m ore fa m ily a p a rtm en t b u ild in g; busin ess
blU n m ing0reTOrdSc à rd sfor in élig ibles, file sep ara tely cards for fam ilies w h ich are in eligib le o n ly becau se th e y com e u n d er 136.

14—3309

BED S 112

U. S.

De pa r t me n t

of

Ag r ic u l t u r e

B U R E A U O F H O M E E C O N O M IC S

STU D Y O F C O N SU M E R P U R C H A SE S

R eco rd ca rd N o ........

IN C O O P E R A T IO N W IT H

A FED ER A L W O R K S P R O JE C T

N A T IO N A L R E S O U R C E S C O M M IT T E E
W O R K S P R O G R E S S A D M IN IS T R A T IO N
DEPARTM ENT OF LABOR

F a m ily sc h e d u le N o .

RECO RD CARD— FA RM

M . C . D .....................

W A S H IN G T O N

(C o u n ty )

A g e n t____________

(S ta te)

B orn in U n ited S ta te s.

1. L o c a tio n (d e s c r ib e ).........................................................................................
V a ca n t □

Yes

8

N o

. □

9.

□

□

□

H u sb a n d , or m a le h ead .
W ife, o r fe m a le h ead .

T e le p h o n e __
10. H a s fa m ily o p er a ted T H I S fa rm fo r
la st 12 m o n th s?

2. N a m e

V isits

D a te

T im e of
day

A t hom e
Y es

Inform ation
Person
refused
in terview ed
No

4. S e co n d _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

11. W as farm o p e r a te d fo r w a g e o r sa la ry
la s t year?
12. D o es fa rm h a v e m o re th a n 3 acres?
13. I f Wo, w a s g ro ss in c o m e la s t y e a r m ore
th a n $250?
14. P rin cip a l c r o p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _
15.

a.

□
¿."" □

1

c.

□

W h ite.
Negro"
O ther.

a. □

1
|

7. N u m b e r in fa m ily :
o. □ T w o o r m o re p erson s.
I b. □
O n e p erson . |

Y es

b. □

N o

a. □

Y es

b. □

N o

a. O

Y es

b. □

N o

a. □

Y es

|6 . □

N o I

E c o n o m ic fa m ily- in c lu d e s h u sb a n d a n d w ife:1

5. T h ird ...................
6. C olor:
j

a. □

If

Y es

| b. D

N o~|

yes:
c.

N u m b er y e a r s m arried:
| (1) □ L e ss th a n o n e .
(2) □ O n e or m ore.

|

I f th e r e is N O C H E C K in a n y o f th e h e a v y b o x e s , a n d i f th e ty p e o f fa rm in g is o n e to b e s tu d ie d , r e q u e s t fa m ily sc h e d u le .
• I n filing record cards for Inéligibles, file sep ara tely cards for fam ilies eligib le excep t for 166—a fa m ily w h ich does n o t in clu d e h u sb a n d an d w ife.

14— 3 2 9 0

52

r e l ia b il i ty o f t h e d a t a c o lle c te d . A b r ie f i n d i c a t io n o f
t h e m e t h o d s u s e d to a s s u r e t h e a c c u r a c y o f t h e s c h e d 
u le s a n d t h e r a n d o m n e s s o f t h e s a m p le m a y th e r e f o r e
b e d e s ir a b le . F o r a f u lle r d e s c r ip tio n o f th e s e p r e c a u 
tio n s , t h e r e a d e r is r e f e r r e d t o r e p o r t s p r e p a r e d b y th e
tw o b u r e a u s a d m in i s t e r in g t h e s t u d y .
T h e f ir s t p r e r e q u i s i te f o r r e l ia b il i ty i n t h e r e s u l t s o f
s u c h a s t u d y w a s , o f c o u rs e , c a r e f u l a d v a n c e p la n n in g
o f t h e c o lle c tio n a n d a n a ly s is o f t h e d a t a , w i t h c a re fu l
p r e p a r a t i o n o f i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r s u p e r v is o rs , fie ld a g e n ts ,
e d ito r s , a n d t a b u l a t o r s . T h is r e q u i r e m e n t w a s c le a rl y
re c o g n iz e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t a g e n c ie s s p o n s o ri n g t h e
p r o je c t, a n d a r r a n g e m e n ts w e re m a d e o n t h e i n i t i a t i o n
o f t h e s t u d y t o p r o v id e f o r a d e q u a t e p r e p a r a t i o n . T h e
v a r io u s s m a lle r s t u d i e s o f c o n s u m e r e x p e n d itu r e s p r e v i 
o u s l y m a d e b y t h e b u r e a u s c o n d u c tin g t h e p r o je c t a n d
b y o t h e r r e s e a r c h a g e n c ie s s u p p lie d a b a c k g r o u n d o f
e x p e rie n c e i n d is p e n s a b le fo r t h i s la r g e -s c a le u n d e r t a k i n g .
A s e c o n d p r e r e q u i s i te w a s o b v io u s ly t h e c a r e f u l s e le c 
t i o n a n d t r a i n i n g o f p e r s o n n e l. H e r e a g a in e v e r y e ff o rt
w a s m a d e t o m e e t t h e n e e d s o f t h e p r o je c t. T h e s u p e r 
v is o r y s t a ff s i n t h e r e g io n a l a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o ffic es a n d in
t h e lo c a l c o lle c tio n o ffices c o n s is te d o f c o lle g e g r a d u a t e s
w i t h t r a i n i n g i n t h e s o c ia l s c ie n c e s a n d s t a t i s t i c s , a n d i n
m a n y c a s e s w i t h e x p e rie n c e i n t h e d ir e c tio n o f s u rv e y s .
T h e fie ld a g e n ts a n d e d i t o r s w e r e s e le c te d f r o m p e r s o n s
o f c le ric a l a n d p ro fe s s io n a l r a t i n g o n W o r k s P ro g re s s
A d m i n is tr a t i o n ro lls b y m e a n s o f a p t i t u d e t e s ts . A ll o f
t h e w o r k e r s a p p o i n t e d o n t h e p r o j e c t w e re g iv e n a
t r a i n i n g p e r io d o f 2 o r 3 w e e k s , w i t h p r a c t i c e i n c a r r y in g
t h r o u g h t h e d u t i e s t o w h ic h t h e y w e r e a s s ig n e d . T h u s
e v e r y fie ld a g e n t a n d e d i t o r s t a r t e d w o r k w i t h a k n o w l
e d g e o f t h e r e q u i r e m e n ts f o r c o r r e c t, c o n s i s t e n t r e p o r ts .
A s a fu rth e r a ssu ra n c e of th e a c c u ra c y of th e d a ta
c o lle c te d , a s y s t e m o f c h e c k i n te r v ie w in g w a s a d o p te d ,
u n d e r t h e g u id a n c e o f t h e re g io n a l o ffice s ta ff s . I n
g e n e ra l, o n e o u t o f e v e r y e ig h t f a m ilie s v is ite d b y e a c h
a g e n t w a s r e v is it e d b y a s u p e r v is o r , e d i t o r o r s q u a d
le a d e r , to c h e c k e n o u g h o f t h e e n tr ie s o n t h e s c h e d u le to
p r o v e t h a t t h e a g e n t h a d o b t a in e d t h e i n f o r m a ti o n fr o m
t h e fa m ily a n d h a d r e p o r t e d i t c o r r e c tly . T h e s c h e d u le s
to b e c h e c k e d w e r e c h o s e n a t r a n d o m . S im ila r ly , s p o t
e d i t in g o f s c h e d u le s w a s c a r r ie d o u t b y t h e re g io n a l
e d ito r s , i n o r d e r to c h e c k t h e w o rk o f t h e lo c a l e d itin g
s u p e r v is o rs .
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e n e e d f o r a c c u r a t e c o lle c tin g a n d
e d i t in g o f s c h e d u le s , t h e r e w a s n e e d f o r a s s u r in g t h a t
t h e s a m p le o f fa m ilie s fr o m w h o m t h e s c h e d u le s w e re

N a tio n a l R e s o u rc e s C o m m itte e

o b t a in e d in e a c h c o m m u n ity w a s r a n d o m . T h e f i r s t
r e q u i r e m e n t h e r e w a s fo r a s a t is f a c t o r y m e t h o d o f
s e le c tin g t h e n a m e s o r a d d re s s e s f r o m w h ic h a r a n d o m
s a m p le c o u ld b e d r a w n . I n m o s t o f t h e s m a lle r c o m 
m u n it i e s t h i s p r o b le m w a s c a r e d fo r b y a 100 p e r c e n t
c o v e ra g e o f a ll d w e llin g u n i t s in t h e r e c o r d c a r d s a m p le .
I n t h e l a r g e r c it ie s , h o w e v e r, i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to u s e
c it y d ir e c to r ie s o r s im ila r l is ts a s a b a s is fo r t h e s e le c 
t i o n o f a s e rie s o f r a n d o m s a m p le s o f d w e llin g u n i t s .
F o r t h e f a r m c o u n ti e s , r u r a l r o u t e m a p s w e r e u s e d ,
s in c e c o m p r e h e n s iv e l is ts w e re n o t a v a ila b le . T h e
p r o c e d u r e s f o r d r a w in g th e s e s a m p le s w e r e c a r e f u lly
d e v e lo p e d b y t h e W a s h in g to n s ta f f s o f t h e tw o b u r e a u s
a n d c a r e f u ll y s u p e r v is e d t h r o u g h t h e r e g io n a l o ffices.
T h e s e le c tio n o f a r a n d o m s a m p le o f d w e llin g u n i t s ,
h o w e v e r, d id n o t i n s u r e t h e a c t u a l c o lle c tio n o f s c h e d 
u le s f r o m a r a n d o m s a m p le o f fa m ilie s . I n t h e c o u rs e
o f t h e fie ld w o r k v a r io u s d if fic u ltie s w e r e e n c o u n t e r e d
b e c a u s e o f t h e r e f u s a l o r i n a b i l i t y o f s o m e f a m ilie s t o
g iv e t h e d e s ir e d in f o r m a ti o n , o r b e c a u s e o f u n s u c c e s s f u l
a t t e m p t s t o c o n t a c t fa m ilie s . T o m e e t th e s e d iffic u ltie s ,
v a r io u s p r e v e n ti v e a n d
c o r r e c tiv e m e a s u r e s w e re
a d o p te d .
T w o o r t h r e e c a lls w e r e m a d e u p o n s u c h
fa m ilie s b e f o r e a r e c o r d c a r d o r s c h e d u le w i t h p a r t i a l
o r n o i n f o r m a ti o n w a s t u r n e d in . A s p e c ia l a n a ly s is
w a s t h e n m a d e o f t h e c a r d s a n d s c h e d u le s s h o w in g
re f u s a ls o r in c o m p le te i n f o r m a ti o n in o r d e r to d e t e r m i n e
t h e e c o n o m ic o r o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s f r o m w h ic h t h e y
c a m e . O n t h e b a s is o f t h i s a n a ly s is , a r e v is it i n g o r
“ r e c a p t u r e ” p r o g r a m w a s i n s t i t u t e d to o ffs e t t h e b ia s
i n t h e s a m p le , t h e m o s t s k illfu l fie ld a g e n ts b e in g
a s s ig n e d to t h i s w o rk . W h e r e a s u ffic ie n t n u m b e r o f
c a s e s c o u ld n o t b e “ r e c la im e d ” i n t h i s w a y , p r o v is io n
w a s m a d e i n s o m e c it ie s f o r t h e s u b s t i t u t i o n o f a n e ig h 
b o r in g fa m ily f o r t h e f a m ily r e f u s in g in f o r m a ti o n . T h e
i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r t h i s p r o c e d u r e w e re c a r e f u ll y d r a f t e d
so t h a t i n e a c h c a s e a f a m ily b e lo n g in g t o a s im ila r
e c o n o m ic g r o u p w a s c o n t a c t e d f o r s u b s t i t u t i o n .
A s i n d i c a t e d a b o v e , t h i s p r o g r a m fo r e li m in a tin g t h e
b ia s in t h e s a m p le d id n o t f u lly i n s u r e a d e q u a t e r e p r e 
s e n t a t i o n o f t h e h ig h in c o m e le v e ls . A s id e f r o m t h i s
l im i t a t i o n , h o w e v e r, t h e s a m p lin g p r o c e d u r e s u s e d in
t h e s t u d y a p p e a r to j u s t i f y c o n fid e n c e in t h e r e l ia b il i ty
o f t h e r e s u l ts a n d in t h e r a n d o m n e s s o f t h e in c o m e
s c h e d u le s . T h is c o n fid e n c e is f u r t h e r ju s tif ie d b y t h e
i n t e r n a l c o n s is te n c y r e v e a le d i n t h e s a m p le d i s t r i b u 
tio n s f o r t h e v a r io u s c o m m u n itie s c o v e re d b y t h e
s tu d y .

SECTI ON 3. THE SAM PLE DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NONRELI EF
FAM I LI ES

T h e s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s u s e d to d is t r i b u t e
a ll fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s b y in c o m e le v e l w e re
d e r iv e d i n t h e f ir s t i n s t a n c e f r o m s a m p le d a t a c o lle c te d
in t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . T h e w e ig h te d
d is t r i b u t i o n s w e re t h e n a d j u s t e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w it h
d a t a f r o m F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s f o r 193 5 a n d
1 9 3 6 .1
T h e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a f o r n o n re lie f f a m ilie s a n d
f o r fa m ilie s t h a t h a d re c e iv e d re lie f a t s o m e t im e d u r in g
t h e s c h e d u le y e a r w e re t a b u l a t e d s e p a r a t e ly b y th e
S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , so t h a t t h e s a m p le
in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r n o n re lie f a n d f o r re lie f fa m ilie s
b u i l t u p f r o m th e s e d a t a w e re p r e p a r e d q u i t e i n d e 
p e n d e n t ly , a lth o u g h v e r y s im ila r p r o c e d u r e s w e re
fo llo w e d .1
2
I t is t h e p u r p o s e o f t h i s s e c ti o n o f A p p e n d ix A to
d e s c r ib e h o w t h e s a m p le d a t a f o r n o n re lie f fa m ilie s
w e re c o m b in e d to o b t a in t h e p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s
a g a i n s t w h ic h t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts f o r n o n re lie f
fa m ilie s w e re fin a lly a p p lie d . T h e s a m p le d is t r i b u 
t io n s f o r re lie f fa m ilie s a n d t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts fo r
b o t h g ro u p s a r e d e s c r ib e d in l a t e r s e c tio n s .
C la s s if ic a t io n o f F a m ilie s
in S a m p l e D a t a

I n t a b u l a t i n g t h e in c o m e d a t a fr o m th e S t u d y o f
C o n s u m e r P u rc h a se s, e a c h c ity w as tre a te d as a se p a 
r a t e t a b u l a t i o n u n i t , b u t t h e v illa g e s a n d t h e f a r m a re a s
w e re g r o u p e d b y S t a t e s i n t o t h e v illa g e a n d f a r m
ta b u la tio n u n its in d ic a te d in th e s u m m a ry ta b u la tio n
o n p a g e s 5 5 a n d 5 6. S e p a r a te t a b u l a t i o n s w e re m a d e f o r
N e g ro a n d fo r w h i te fa m ilie s i n e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n ity
i n t h e S o u th , a n d i n N e w Y o r k C i t y a n d C o lu m b u s ,
O h io . I n S o u th e r n f a r m a r e a s , o p e r a t o r s a n d s h a r e 
c r o p p e r s w e re c la ss ifie d s e p a r a t e ly w it h i n e a c h c o lo r
g ro u p .
I n c o m e d a t a f o r n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l fa m ilie s w e re
a v a ila b le f r o m t h e r e g u l a r in c o m e s a m p le ,3 w h ic h w a s
1 F o r d e s c r ip tio n o f th e w a y th e in c o m e ta x d a ta w e re u s e d to a d ju s t th e d i s tr ib u 
tio n s , s ee s ec . 7.
2 F o r d e fin itio n o f n o n r e lie f a n d r e lie f fa m ilie s , se e p . 42.
3 F o r d e s c r ip tio n o f r eg u lar a n d c lip p e d s a m p le s , s e e p . 47.

t a k e n i n e v e r y c o m m u n i t y c o v e re d b y t h e s t u d y . T h e s e
d a t a w e re c la s s ifie d b y in c o m e le v e l f o r e a c h f a m ily t y p e
w it h i n e a c h o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p .4 D a t a f o r N e g ro
n o r m a l fa m ilie s w e r e a v a ila b le f r o m t h e r e g u l a r in c o m e
s a m p le s i n t h e S o u t h a n d i n t h e tw o N o r t h C e n t r a l
c itie s , a n d w e r e c la ss ifie d i n a s im ila r m a n n e r . C lip p e d
s a m p le d a t a 3 f o r n a t i v e - w h it e b r o k e n f a m ilie s a n d f o r
m in o r c o l o r - n a ti v it y g r o u p s w e re a v a ila b le f o r 39 c it ie s
a n d fo r fa rm a re a s in 5 S ta te s .5 T h e s e d a t a h a d n o t
b e e n c la ss ifie d b y in c o m e le v e l f o r e a c h f a m ily t y p e
a n d e a c h o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p a t t h e tim e t h e p r e p a r a 
t io n o f t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n e s t i m a t e s w a s b e g u n .
A c c o rd in g ly , t h e d a t a w e r e t a b u l a t e d b y t h e N a t i o n a l
R e s o u r c e s C o m m i tt e e d ir e c t ly f r o m t h e f a m ily s c h e d u le s
w h ic h w e re lo a n e d f o r t h i s p u r p o s e b y t h e B u r e a u o f
L a b o r S t a t i s t i c s a n d t h e B u r e a u o f H o m e E c o n o m ic s .
D i s t r ib u tio n s b y F a m i l y S i z e a n d
by

O c c u p a tio n a l G ro u p

T h e t h r e e - w a y c la s s if ic a tio n s o f t h e r e g u l a r s a m p le
d a t a — b y in c o m e le v e l f o r e a c h fa m ily t y p e w i t h i n e a c h
o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p — r e s u l te d in s o m e w h a t t h i n f r e 
q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r c e r t a i n o f t h e q u a l i t a t i v e
g ro u p s i n s o m e s a m p le c o m m u n itie s . I t w a s d e c id e d ,
th e r e f o r e , t o u s e tw o tw o - w a y c la s s if ic a ti o n s o f t h e d a t a
b y in c o m e le v e l i n b u ild in g u p t h e s a m p le d i s t r i b u t i o n s :
( I ) e a c h f a m ily ty p e , a ll o c c u p a t io n a l g r o u p s c o m b in e d ,
a n d (2 ) e a c h o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p , a ll fa m ily t y p e s
c o m b in e d .
T h e s a m p le f r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r t h e v a r io u s
fa m ily t y p e s w e r e c o m b in e d i n t o f r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u 
t io n s f o r f o u r f a m ily siz e s — tw o - p e r s o n fa m ilie s , t h r e e a n d f o u r - p e r s o n fa m ilie s , fiv e - a n d s ix - p e rs o n fa m ilie s ,
a n d s e v e n - o r m o r e - p e r s o n fa m ilie s — w h ic h w e r e u s e d
i n b u ild in g u p t h e t y p e o f c o m m u n ity , re g io n a l, a n d
n a t i o n a l e s tim a te s . T h e t a b u l a t i o n s b y o c c u p a tio n a l
g r o u p w e re u s e d in b u ild in g u p t h e o c c u p a tio n a l
e s t im a t e s f o r n o n re lie f fa m ilie s , a n d in b u ild in g u p a
4
F o r d e s c r ip tio n o f fa m ily t y p e s a n d o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s u s e d in th e S t u d y of
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , s e e p p . 4 3 -4 4 . F o r fa r m u n i t s , th e o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p w a s
im p l ic it in t h e t y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d o n l y a tw o -w a y c la s s ific a tio n w a s n e ce s sa r y .
3 F o r li s t o f c iti e s in w h i c h c li p p e d s a m p le s w e r e n o t ta k e n , s e e fo o tn o te 7, p . 47.

53

54
s e c o n d n a t i o n a l e s t i m a t e w h ic h s e r v e d a s a c h e c k o f
th e e s t im a t e b u i l t u p f r o m t h e fa m ily - s iz e d i s t r i b u 
tio n s . T h e tw o n a t i o n a l e s t im a t e s w e r e a lm o s t i d e n 
tic a l, a s w a s t o b e e x p e c te d , i n a s m u c h a s t h e s a m p le
d is t r i b u t i o n s w e r e d e r iv e d f r o m t h e s a m e s a m p le o f
fa m ilie s , c la s s ifie d o n c e b y f a m ily s iz e a n d o n c e b y
o c c u p a t io n a l g r o u p . T h e v e r y s l i g h t d iffe re n c e s , d u e
t o t h e r o u n d in g o f t h e p e r c e n t s w h e n t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s
f o r t h e s a m p le c o m m u n itie s w e r e c o m b in e d , h a v e b e e n
a d j u s t e d i n t h e fin a l e s t im a t e s p r e s e n te d .
C o m b i n i n g " C l i p p e d ” S a m p le D a t a

A s in d i c a t e d a b o v e , t h e f i r s t s t e p i n c o m b in in g t h e
d a t a f o r e a c h s a m p le u n i t w a s to g r o u p t h e s a m p le f r e 
q u e n c ie s f o r t h e v a r io u s f a m ily t y p e s o f e a c h c o lo rn a t i v i t y g r o u p i n t o d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r f o u r s iz e s o f fa m ily .
T h e f a c t t h a t t h e c li p p e d s a m p le , c o v e ri n g b r o k e n
f a m ilie s a n d m in o r c o l o r - n a ti v it y g r o u p s , w a s n o t
t a k e n i n a ll c o m m u n itie s a n d w a s t o o s m a ll i n o th e r s to
a f fo rd r e lia b le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r t h e s e p a r a t e
c o l o r - n a ti v it y g ro u p s m a d e i t d e s ir a b le t o c o m b in e th e
f r e q u e n c ie s f o r th o s e g ro u p s a t a c o m p a r a t iv e l y e a r ly
s ta g e . T h e f u lle r b r e a k - d o w n b y c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y
w a s r e t a i n e d o n ly f o r N o r t h C e n t r a l m e tr o p o lis e s a n d
la r g e c itie s , w h e re b o t h t h e fo re ig n -b o r n w h ite a n d
t h e N e g r o g ro u p s c o n s t i t u t e i m p o r t a n t e le m e n ts i n t h e
p o p u la tio n .
W i t h t h e e x c e p ti o n o f th e s e fe w c o m m u n itie s , t h e r e 
fo re , t h e fr e q u e n c ie s f o r t h e m in o r c o l o r - n a ti v it y g ro u p s
a n d f o r b r o k e n f a m ilie s i n t h e c lip p e d s a m p le f o r e a c h
c o m m u n i t y w e r e p o o le d , b y in c o m e le v e l, i n t o d i s t r i b u 
t io n s f o r f o u r s iz e s o f f a m ily . W h e n c lip p e d s a m p le s
w e r e a v a ila b le f o r tw o o r m o r e c o m m u n itie s o f t h e s a m e
t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n a re g io n , t h e f r e q u e n c y d is 
t r i b u t i o n s fo r t h e s a m e fa m ily - s iz e g ro u p s w e re t h e n
p o o le d , b y in c o m e le v e l, b e fo re p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s
w e re c a lc u la te d .
I m p l i c i t i n t h e p o o lin g o f fr e q u e n c ie s f o r t h e v a r io u s
c o l o r - n a ti v it y a n d b r o k e n f a m ily g ro u p s i n t h e c lip p e d
s a m p le w a s t h e s o m e w h a t q u e s tio n a b le a s s u m p tio n
t h a t t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f th e s e g r o u p s s h o w n b y t h e
c li p p e d s a m p le d a t a w e r e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e n o t o n ly o f t h e
c o m m u n itie s s a m p le d b u t o f a ll c o m m u n itie s o f t h e
s a m e d e g re e o f u r b a n i z a t i o n in t h e re g io n . T h is a s s u m p 
t io n u n d o u b te d ly i n t r o d u c e d a d e g re e o f e r r o r i n t o t h e
e s t im a t e s , b u t a c h e c k a g a i n s t c e n s u s d a t a in d i c a t e d
t h a t t h e d if fe re n c e s w e r e i n m o s t in s t a n c e s n o t la rg e .
C o m b in i n g R e g u l a r S a m p l e D a t a

T h e c o v e ra g e o f t h e r e g u l a r s a m p le w a s s u ff ic ie n t to
y ie ld f o r e a c h s a m p le c o m m u n i t y r e lia b le fr e q u e n c y
d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l fa m ilie s o f e a c h
s iz e g r o u p , a n d — i n t h e S o u th a n d i n N o r t h C e n t r a l
la r g e c itie s — f o r N e g ro n o r m a l fa m ilie s o f e a c h size
g ro u p . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e re c a lc u la te d , t h e r e 
fo re , f o r e a c h f a m ily - s iz e g r o u p w it h i n e a c h c o lo r- n a 

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

t i v i t y g r o u p i n t h e s a m p le . T h e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u 
t io n s f o r t h e s a m e fa m ily - s iz e g ro u p s f r o m tw o o r m o re
c o m m u n itie s o f t h e s a m e t y p e w it h i n a re g io n w e re a v e r 
a g e d , e a c h b e in g g iv e n e q u a l w e ig h t (e x c e p t i n t h e c a s e
o f S o u th e r n v il la g e a n d f a r m u n i t s ) , t o o b t a i n t h e fin a l
p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s a g a i n s t w h ic h t h e p o p u la t io n
w e ig h ts f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s o f t h a t t y p e w e re f in a lly
a p p lie d .
T h e d e c is io n to u s e a s t r a i g h t a v e r a g e o f t h e p e r c e n t 
a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s i n c o m b in in g d a t a f r o m t h e r e g u l a r
s a m p le s i n c o m m u n itie s o f t h e s a m e t y p e r e p r e s e n t e d a
c h o ic e a m o n g t h r e e p o s s ib le p ro c e d u r e s . A l t e r n a t i v e
p r o c e d u r e s w e r e to p o o l t h e f r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s
(w h ic h w a s d o n e i n t h e c a s e o f t h e c li p p e d s a m p le
b ec a u se o f th e th in n e s s o f th e s e p a ra te d is trib u tio n s ) o r
t o a t t e m p t t o w e ig h t t h e p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r
t h e d if f e r e n t c o m m u n itie s o n s o m e lo g ic a l b a s is w h ic h
w o u ld in v o lv e m a t c h i n g a ll o t h e r c o m m u n itie s o f th e
s a m e t y p e i n t h e r e g io n t o o n e o r a n o t h e r o f t h e s a m p le
c o m m u n itie s . T h e p o o lin g o f t h e f r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u 
t io n s w o u ld , b e c a u s e o f s o m e v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e s a m p l e
c o v e ra g e f r o m o n e c o m m u n i t y to a n o t h e r , h a v e r e s u l t e d
i n a n i n v o l u n t a r y w e ig h tin g o f t h e c o m m u n itie s a c c o r d 
in g to t h e p e r c e n t o f c o v e ra g e , w h ic h s e e m e d u n d e s ir 
a b le . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , a v a ila b le i n f o r m a ti o n o ffe re d
n o s a t i s f a c t o r y b a s is f o r m a t c h i n g t h e s a m p le c o m m u 
n it i e s a g a i n s t o t h e r c o m m u n itie s o f t h e s a m e s iz e a n d
t h u s a s c r ib in g w e ig h ts to t h e v a r io u s d is t r i b u t i o n s . I n
t h e a b s e n c e o f a n y o b j e c t i v e c r i t e r i a f o r w e ig h tin g , i t
a p p e a re d b e tte r to ta k e a s tra ig h t a v e ra g e of th e p e r
c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s .
A n e x c e p tio n t o t h i s p r o c e d u r e w a s m a d e i n t h e c a se
o f t h e s a m p le d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r S o u th e r n v illa g e s a n d
f a r m u n i t s . T w o o f t h e fiv e g r o u p s o f S o u th e r n f a r m
c o u n tie s c o v e re d b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s
w e r e l o c a te d i n u n u s u a l l y p r o s p e r o u s a g r i c u l t u r a l a r e a s
in N o r t h C a r o li n a a n d M is s i s s ip p i, a n d h e n c e c o u ld n o t
b e t a k e n a s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f a p r o p o r t i o n a t e s h a r e of
t h e r u r a l S o u th . A n o th e r g r o u p o f c o u n ti e s , a ls o in
N o r t h C a r o lin a , w a s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e s e lf-s u ffic in g
t y p e o f f a r m in g i n t h e A p p a la c h i a n H ig h l a n d s , w h ile
t h e r e m a in in g tw o g r o u p s w e r e lo c a te d in G e o rg ia a n d
S o u t h C a r o lin a , i n a r e a s m o r e t y p i c a l o f S o u th e r n f a r m 
in g c o n d it io n s .
C o m p a r is o n s w i t h d a t a o n in c o m e f r o m f a r m p r o 
d u c tio n , a v a ila b le f r o m t h e B u r e a u o f A g r ic u ltu r a l
E c o n o m ic s , le d t o t h e d e c is io n t o w e ig h t t h e s a m p le
d is t r i b u t i o n s f r o m t h e fiv e f a r m u n i t s b e f o r e a v e r a g in g ,
i n o r d e r t o o b t a i n a fin a l d is t r i b u t i o n m o r e r e p r e s e n t 
a t i v e o f t h e S o u t h a s a w h o le . T h e d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r
t h e tw o N o r t h C a r o li n a u n i t s a n d f o r t h e M is s is s ip p i
u n i t w e r e e a c h g iv e n a w e ig h t o f o n e , w h ile t h e G e o rg ia
a n d S o u th C a r o lin a d is t r i b u t i o n s w e re e a c h g iv e n a
w e ig h t o f th r e e .
T h e 34 S o u th e r n v illa g e s c o v e re d in t h e S t u d y o f

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

Ta bl e 1A.—

55

S u m m a r y o f s a m /p le in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e l i e f f a m i l i e s u s e d to d i s t r i b u t e n o n r e l i e f f a m i l y p o p u l a t i o n b y in c o m e le v e l

[T h e s a m p le in c o m e d a ta a n d t h e p o p u la tio n d a ta for e a c h q u a lita tiv e g r o u p w e re s u b d iv id e d o n c e b y fa m ily s iz e , a n d o n c e b y o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p ,1 a n d s e p a ra te d i s tr ib u t io n s
p r ep a re d fo r e a c h o f th e s e s u b g r o u p s]
C o m m u n i t i e s co vered b y 1
M e t h o d u s e d i n c o m b in in g i n c o m e d a ta for
s a m p le in c o m e d a ta , b y r e
c o m m u n i tie s o f th e s a m e t y p e
g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

Q u a l ita tiv e g r o u p s for w h i c h s a m p le i n 
c o m e d i s tr ib u ti o n s w e r e p r ep a re d

NEW
L a r g e c itie s:
P r o v id e n c e , R . I .
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
N e w B r it a in , C o n n .
H a v e r h ill, M a s s .
S m a ll c ities :
W a llin g fo r d , C o n n .
W illim a n tic , C o n n .
W e stb r o o k , M a in e .
G re e n fie ld , M a s s .
V illa g e u n i t s :
V e r m o n t-M a s s a c h u s e tts .
F a r m u n its :
V e r m o n t— d a ir y .

P o p u la tio n g r o u p s u s e d to w e ig h t s a m p le in c o m e
d i s tr ib u tio n s

ENGLAND

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n - b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th e r colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g ro .
a n d o th e r colo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c en ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m r e g u 
la r s a m p le s ; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d is tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c li p p e d s a m p le s.

1. N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n - b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th e r colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2 . N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g r o ,
a n d o th e r c olo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s fr o m r eg u 
la r s a m p le s; c lip p e d s a m p le for W a llin g fo r d
o n ly .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n - b o r n
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th e r colo r.

1. N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r eig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g r o ,
a n d o th e r colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. A l l c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n
(V e r m o n t, M a i n e , N e w H a m p s h ir e , M a s s a 
c h u s e t ts , C o n n e c t ic u t , R h o d e I s la n d ).

NORTH CENTRAL
M etr o p o lis e s :
N e w Y ork, N . Y .
C h ica g o , 111.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is t r ib u t io n fr o m reg u lar
s a m p le s fo r n a t iv e -w h it e n o r m a l; a v e r a g e d
p e r c en ta g e
d is t r ib u tio n s
fr o m
reg u lar
s a m p le
in
N ew
Y ork
and
c lip p ed
s a m p le in C h ic a g o for N e g ro n o r m a l; rem a in d e r o f c lip p e d s a m p le fo r C h ic a g o o n l y .

L a r g e c ities :
C o lu m b u s , O h io .

M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
D u b u q u e, Iow a .
M u n c ie , I n d .
N e w C a s tle , P a .
S p r in g fie ld , 111.
S m a ll c ities :
B e a v e r F a lls , P a .
C o n n e lls v ille , P a .
L o g a n s p o r t, I n d .
P eru , In d .
M a t to o n , 111.
V i ll a g e u n it s :
P e n n s y lv a n ia -O h io .
M ic h i g a n -W is c o n s i n .
I llin o is -I o w a .
F a r m u n it s :
P e n n s y lv a n i a — g e n e r a l.
O h io —g e n e r a l.
M ic h ig a n — d a ir y an d g e n era l.
W is c o n s in — d a ir y .
I llin o is — corn or c a s h grain.
I o w a — a n i m a l s p e c i a lt y .

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n .
F o r e ig n -b o rn w h it e .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N egro b roken.
N e g r o n o r m a l v n d b r o k e n c o m b i n e d .2

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
N a t iv e - w h i t e b r o k e n .
F o r e ig n -b o rn w h it e .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N e g r o b ro k e n .
O th e r co lo r.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n .2
F o r e ig n -b o rn w h i te .3
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N e g r o b r o k e n .3
N e g r o n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n c o m b i n e d .2

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
N a t iv e - w h i t e b r o k e n .
F o r e ig n -b o rn w h it e .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N egro broken.
O th e r co lo r.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s fr o m reg u lar
s a m p les ; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d is tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c lip p e d s a m p le s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te
b rok en,
fo r e ig n -b o r n
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th e r colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r eig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g r o ,
a n d o th er colo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m r eg u lar
s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d is tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c li p p e d s a m p le s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e - w h i t e
broken,
fo r e ig n -b o r n
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th e r c o lo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r eig n -b o r n w h i te , N e g r o ,
a n d o th er c olo r.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.

1. A ll c o lo r - n a tiv it y g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n .

1. A l l c o lo r -n a ti v it y g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n
(P e n n s y lv a n ia , O h io , a n d N e w J e r s e y ) .
1. A l l c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n
(M ic h i g a n , W is c o n s in , N e w Y o r k , a n d M in n e so ta ).
1. A ll c o lo r -n a ti v it y g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n
(I l li n o i s , I o w a , I n d ia n a , a n d M is s o u r i ).

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

SO UTH
L a r g e c iti e s :

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N egro broken.
N e g r o n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n c o m b in e d .2

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N eg r o broken.
O th e r colo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c en ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m reg u la r s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d i s tr ib u tio n s
fro m c lip p e d s a m p le s .

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N eg r o broken.
N e g r o n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n c o m b in e d .2

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N e g r o b r ok e n .
O th e r colo r.

S m a ll c ities :
A lb a n y , G a .
G riffin , G a .
G a s to n ia , N . C .
S u m te r , S . C .

A v e ra g e d p e r c en ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s fr o m reg u la r s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d i s tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c lip p e d sa m p les- for A l b a n y a n d G a sto n ia o n l y .

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N egro b rok en.
N e g r o n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n c o m b i n e d .2

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te .
N e g r o n o r m a l.
N eg r o broken.
O th e r colo r.

V illa g e u n its :
G e o rg ia -S o u th C a r o lin a .
N o r th C a r o lin a - M is s is s ip p i.

A v e ra g e d
p e r c e n ta g e
d i s tr ib u tio n s
a fter
w e ig h tin g a s fo llo w s : G eo rg ia a n d S o u th C aro lin a , 3; N o r th C a r o lin a a n d M is s is s ip p i , l . 4

M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
C o lu m b u s , S . C .
M o b ile , A la .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g r o n o r m a l.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , n o r m a l a n d
b r ok e n .
2. N e g r o a n d o th er c o lo r , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .

1 D a t a for fa r m u n i ts w e re n o t , o f c o u r s e, c la s sifie d b y th i s fa cto r.
2 I n o b t a in in g t h e p e r c e n ta g e d is tr i b u t io n fo r “ o th er c olo r ” fa m ilie s , t h e s a m p le d is tr ib u tio n s for N e g r o n o r m a l a n d N e g r o b r o k e n fa m ilie s w e re w e ig h t e d a c co rd in g to th e ir
r e l a ti v e im p o r ta n c e in t h e t y p e o f c o m m u n it y w i t h in t h e r eg ion .
3 U s e d c li p p e d s a m p l e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m C h ica g o .
4 F o r e x p la n a tio n o f th e w e ig h tin g o f t h e d i s tr ib u tio n s for S o u th er n v illa g e a n d fa rm u n it s , s ee p p . 54 a n d 57.

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m ttie e

56

Ta bl e 1A.—

S u m m a ry

C o m m u n i t i e s co vered b y
s a m p le i n c o m e d a t a , b y r e 
g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

o j s a m p le in c o m e d is tr ib u tio n s } o r n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

u sed

to d is tr ib u te

n o n r e lie f f a m i ly

p o p u la tio n

b y

in c o m e

le v e l—

C o n t in u e d
M e t h o d u s e d in c o m b in in g in c o m e d a ta for
c o m m u n it ie s o f th e s a m e t y p e

Q u a lita tiv e g r o u p s for w h i c h s a m p le in 
c o m e d is tr i b u tio n s w e r e p r ep a re d

P o p u l a ti o n g r o u p s u s e d to w e ig h t s a m p le in c o m e
d i s tr ib u tio n s

SC) U T H — C o n tin u e d
F a r m u n i ts :
N o r th C aro lin a — self-su ffic
in g .5
N o r th
C a r o lin a — c o tto n
a n d to b a c c o .
S o u th
C a r o lin a --c o t to n
a n d to b a c c o .
G eo rg ia— c o tto n .
M is s is s ip p i— c o tt o n .

A v e ra g e d p e rc en ta g e d istr ib u tio n s a fter w e ig h t
in g a s fo llo w s : N o r th C a r o lin a , s elf-s u ffic in g ,
1; N o r th C a r o lin a , c o t to n a n d to b a c c o , 1;
M is s is s ip p i , c o tto n , 1; S o u th C a r o lin a , c o t 
to n a n d to b a c c o , 3; G eo rg ia, c o tto n , 3 .4

1. N a t iv e -w h it e n o r m a l op e ra to r s.

2. N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l sh a r ec ro p p e rs.
3. N e g r o n o r m a l o p e ra to r s.
4. N e g r o n o r m a l sh a r ec ro p p e rs.

M O U N T A IN
L a r g e c itie s:
D e n v e r , C o lo.
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
B u t t e , M o n t.
P u e b l o , C o lo.
S m a ll c ities :
B illin g s , M o n t.
G r e e le y , C o lo.
L ogan , U ta h .
P r o v o , U ta h .
D o d g e C ity , Iow a.
V illa g e u n i ts :
K a n s a s -N o r th D a k o ta .
C o lo r a d o -M o n ta n a -S o u th
D ak ota.
F a r m u n i ts :
N o r th D a k o t a — w h e a t or
c a s h g r a in .
K a n s a s — w h e a t or c a s h
g ra in .
C o lo r a d o -M o n ta n a -S o u th
D a k o ta — r a n g e liv e s to c k
a n d c a s h g r a in .

1. A ll w h it e o p e ra to r s (N o r th C a r o lin a , S o u th
C a r o lin a , G eo rg ia, M is s is s ip p i,
D e la w a re ,
M a r y la n d , V ir g in ia , W e s t V ir g in ia , F lor id a ,
K e n t u c k y , T e n n e s s e e , A la b a m a , A r k a n s as ,
L o u is ia n a , O k la h o m a , T e x a s ).
2. A ll w h it e s h a r ec ro p p e rs (S t a t e s l is t e d a b o v e ).
3. A l l N e g r o a n d o th er co lo r o p e ra to r s (S ta te s lis te d
a b o v e ).
4. A l l N e g r o a n d o th er c o lo r sh a r ec ro p p e rs (S ta tes
lis te d a b o v e ) .

AND

P L A IN S

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te
b rok en,
fo reig n -b o rn
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th e r colo r.

2 . N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , N e g ro ,

A v e ra g e d p e r c en ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m r eg u 
la r s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d is tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c lip p e d s a m p le s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te
broken,
fo reig n -b o rn
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th e r c olo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g r o ,
a n d o th er co lo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s fr o m r eg u 
la r s a m p le s; c lip p e d s a m p le for B illin g s o n l y .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th er co lo r.

2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g ro ,

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. A ll c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n
(N o r th D a k o ta , S o u th D a k o ta ).
A ll c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n
(K a n s a s , N e b r a s k a ).
1. A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n
(C o lo r a d o ,
M o n ta n a ,
Idaho,
W y o m in g ,
N e v a d a , U t a h , A r iz o n a , N e w M e x ic o ).

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

a n d o th e r colo r.

1.

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
a n d o th er c o lo r.

A ll c o lc r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .

P A C IF IC
L a rg e c ities :
P o r t la n d , O reg.
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
A b e r d e e n -H o q u ia m ,
W ash.
B e llin g h a m , W a s h .
E v e r e tt , W a sh .
S m a ll c ities :
A s to r ia , O reg.
E u g e n e O reg.
K la m a th F a lls , O reg.
O ly m p ia , W a s h .
V ill a g e u n its :
C a lifo rn ia.
O r e g o n -W a sh in g to n .
F a r m u n its :
W a s h in g to n — d a ir y , p o u l
tr y .
O regon — g e n e r al a n d fr u it.
C e n tr a l C a lifo rn ia— fr u it
a n d d a ir y .
S o u th e r n C a lifo rn ia— fru it.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i t e
b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b cr n
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th er colo r.

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g r o ,
a n d o th er c o lo r.

A v e r a g e d p e r c en ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s fr o m r e g u 
lar s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d i s tr ib u ti o n s
fr o m c lip p e d s a m p le s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n - b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o t h e r c o lo r.

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g ro ,
a n d o th er colo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m r eg u 
la r s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d is tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c li p p e d s a m p le s in m id d le -s iz e d c itie s
in r e g io n .6

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n - b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o t h e r c o lo r .6

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , N e g ro ,
a n d o th e r c o lo r.

A v e r a g e p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .

A v e ra g e p e r c e n ta g e d istr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

A ll c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n ,
(W a s h i n g to n a n d O re g o n ).

A v e ra g e p er c en ta g e d istr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

A ll c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n
(C a lifo r n ia ).

4 F o r e x p la n a tio n o f th e w e ig h tin g o f th e d i s tr ib u t io n s for S o u th e r n v i lla g e a n d fa r m u n i t s , s e e p p . 54 a n d 57.

5 W h ite o p e r a to r s o n ly .

6 S e e fo o tn o te 6, p . 57.

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s w e r e d r a w n f r o m t h e s a m e g ro u p s
o f c o u n tie s , e x c e p t t h a t n o v illa g e s w e r e in c lu d e d f r o m
t h e N o r t h C a r o li n a A p p a la c h i a n a r e a . T h e d i s t r i b u 
t io n s f o r t h e v il la g e u n i t s w e r e th e r e f o r e w e ig h te d i n a
s im ila r m a n n e r , th o s e f o r t h e G e o rg ia a n d S o u th C a r o 
l in a s a m p le s b e in g g iv e n a t r i p l e w e ig h t, to o b t a i n a n
a v e r a g e s a m p le d i s t r i b u t i o n fo r r u r a l n o n f a r m c o m 
m u n it i e s i n t h e S o u th .
W h ile t h e w e ig h tin g p r o c e d u r e fo llo w e d b r o u g h t t h e
s a m p le d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r f a r m a n d r u r a l n o n f a r m f a m i
lie s m o r e a d e q u a t e l y i n lin e w i t h a v e r a g e c o n d itio n s in
t h e S o u th , t h e r e s e e m s r e a s o n t o b e lie v e t h a t t h e fin a l
d i s t r i b u t i o n s s o m e w h a t o v e r e s t i m a te t h e in c o m e s o f
r u r a l f a m ilie s in t h i s re g io n , a n d e s p e c ia lly o f f a r m
fa m ilie s .
H o w e v e r , s in c e d e f in ite e v i d e n c e w a s n o t
a v a i la b l e t o s u p p o r t t h i s o p in io n , n o f u r t h e r a d j u s t m e n t
o f t h e s a m p le e s t i m a t e s w a s c o n s id e r e d d e s ir a b le .
S u m m a r y a n d I ll u s t r a t io n o f P r o c e d u r e

T h e s u m m a r y t a b u l a t i o n o n p a g e s 5 5 a n d 56 in d ic a te s ,
f o r e a c h c i t y a n d t a b u l a t i o n u n i t f o r w h ic h t h e s a m p le
d a t a w e re u s e d ,6 t h e w a y i n w h ic h t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u 
tio n s f o r c o m m u n itie s o f t h e s a m e t y p e w e r e c o m b in e d ,
t h e q u a l i t a t i v e g r o u p s fo r w h ic h p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u 
t io n s f o r e a c h fa m ily - s iz e g r o u p a n d e a c h o c c u p a tio n a l
g r o u p w e r e c a lc u la te d , a n d t h e p o p u la t io n g r o u p s u s e d
t o w e ig h t t h e v a r io u s s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s . I n a ll, 1 ,1 3 5
s a m p le p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s w e re p r e p a r e d f o r n o n 
r e lie f fa m ilie s . T h e s e w e r e c o m b in e d i n t o t h e 6 76 p e r 
c e n t a g e d is t r i b u t i o n s s u m m a r iz e d i n t h e a c c o m p a n y in g
t a b l e — a g a i n s t w h ic h p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts w e r e a p p lie d
t o e x te n d t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f n o n 
r e lie f f a m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . 7
P e r h a p s t h e s im p le s t w a y t o c la r if y t h e p ro c e s s b y
w h ic h t h e s a m p le d a t a w e r e c o m b in e d , a n d t h e n e x 
t e n d e d t o a n a t i o n a l b a s is , is t o t r a c e t h e s e q u e n c e o f
s t e p s f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s o f o n e t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y
i n o n e o f t h e fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s — e . g ., t h e m id d le s iz e d c it ie s i n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e g io n . D a t a f r o m
f o u r s u c h c itie s c o v e re d b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r 
c h a s e s w e r e u s e d — D u b u q u e , I o w a , S p r in g f ie ld , 111.,
M u n c ie , I n d ., a n d N e w C a s tle , P a . O n ly n a t i v e - w h it e
n o r m a l f a m ilie s w e r e in c lu d e d i n t h e r e g u l a r s a m p le s fo r
t h e s e c it ie s . N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n - b o r n w h ite ,
N e g ro , a n d o t h e r c o lo r f a m ilie s w e re s a m p le d le s s i n t e n 
s iv e ly i n t h e c li p p e d s a m p le s .
6 D a t a fr o m t h e fo llo w in g c o m m u n it ie s in c l u d e d in th e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r 
c h a s e s w e r e n o t u s e d i n c o n s tr u c t in g th e in c o m e e s t im a t e s , e ith e r b e ca u se t h e y w e re
n o t a v a ila b le a t th e t i m e t h e s t u d y w a s p r ep a re d o r b e ca u se th e ir in c lu s io n w o u ld
h a v e a d d e d u n d u l y t o t h e a m o u n t o f la b o r i n v o l v e d w i t h o u t a d d in g m a te r ia lly t o th e
r e p r e s e n ta tiv e n e s s o f th e s a m p l e d a ta : O m a h a -C o u n c il B lu ffs , N e b r .-I o w a ; S p r in g fie ld , M o .; L i n c o ln , 111.; M t . V e r n o n , O h io ; N e w P h il a d e lp h ia , O h io ; B o o n e , I o w a ;
B e a v e r D a m , W is .; M o b e r l y , M o .; C o lu m b i a , M o .; N e w J e r s e y tr u c k fa r m in g ,
M a s s a c h u s e tts p o u lt r y fa r m in g , a n d O re g o n p a r t-t im e fa r m in g a r ea s . I n a d d iti o n ,
c lip p e d s a m p le d a ta fr o m t h e fo llo w in g c o m m u n it ie s w e r e n o t u s e d , a lth o u g h th e
r eg u la r s a m p l e d a t a w e r e u s e d : W e s tb r o o k , M a i n e ; G riffin , G a .; S u m te r , S . C .;
L o g a n , U ta h ; E u g e n e , O reg.; O ly m p i a , W a s h .; a n d P e n n s y lv a n ia , M ic h ig a n , I l l i 
n o i s , C a lifo r n ia , a n d W a s h in g to n fa r m area s.
7 F o r d e s c r ip tio n o f p o p u la tio n w e ig h ts for n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s , s e e s e c . 6.
7 2 7 3 6 ° — 3 8 ------ 5

57

F i r s t S te p .— T h e s a m p le d a t a f r o m t h e r e g u l a r s a m 
p le i n e a c h o f t h e f o u r c it ie s w e r e c la ss ifie d b y in c o m e
le v e l to g iv e f r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n re lie f
n a t i v e - w h it e fa m ilie s (a ll o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s c o m 
b in e d ) f o r e a c h fa m ily - s iz e g r o u p . T h is i n v o lv e d c o m 
b in in g t h e f r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r t y p e s o f fa m ily
c o m p o s i t i o n 8 i n t o f o u r fa m ily -s iz e g ro u p s — tw o -p e r s o n
fa m ilie s , t h r e e - to f o u r - p e r s o n fa m ilie s , fiv e - to six p e r s o n fa m ilie s , a n d fa m ilie s o f s e v e n o r m o r e p e rs o n s .
T h is r e s u l te d i n 16 d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f n a t i v e w h ite n o r m a l fa m ilie s — 4 d i s t r i b u t i o n s b y f a m ily siz e fo r
e a c h c ity .
S e c o n d S te p .— A p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n w a s t h e n
c a lc u la te d f o r e a c h o f th e s e 16 f r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s ,
a n d t h e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r t h e s a m e fa m ily size g ro u p s i n t h e f o u r c it ie s a v e r a g e d b y in c o m e le v e l—
g iv in g e q u a l w e ig h t to e a c h c it y — to o b t a i n a s in g le
p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n fo r e a c h siz e g r o u p . T h is p e r 
c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n w a s l a t e r u s e d i n d i s t r i b u t i n g b y
in c o m e le v e l t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f n a t i v e - w h it e
n o r m a l fa m ilie s o f t h a t size liv in g i n m id d le -s iz e d c itie s
i n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e g io n .
T h i r d S te p .— D a t a f r o m t h e c lip p e d s a m p le s fo r
n a t i v e - w h it e b r o k e n fa m ilie s a n d f o r o t h e r c o lo r- n a 
t i v i t y g ro u p s w e re p o o le d b y in c o m e le v e l, a n d t h e
fr e q u e n c ie s f o r t h e v a r io u s t y p e s o f fa m ily c o m p o s iti o n
c o m b in e d i n t o t h e f o u r fa m ily - s iz e g ro u p s . T h is a ls o
r e s u l te d i n 16 d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f n a t i v e - w h it e
b r o k e n , fo re ig n -b o r n w h ite , N e g ro , a n d o t h e r c o lo r
fa m ilie s — f o u r d i s t r i b u t i o n s b y f a m ily siz e fo r e a c h c it y .
F o u r t h S te p .— T h e f r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r t h e
s a m e fa m ily - s iz e g ro u p s i n t h e f o u r c itie s w e r e t h e n
p o o le d , b y in c o m e le v e l, to g iv e a s in g le f r e q u e n c y d is 
t r i b u t i o n f o r e a c h size o f f a m ily , f r o m w h ic h a p e r 
c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n w a s c a lc u la te d . T h is d i s t r i b u t i o n
w a s u s e d to d is t r i b u t e b y in c o m e le v e l t h e t o t a l n u m b e r
o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s o f t h a t size i n a ll c o lo r - n a ti v it y
g r o u p s o t h e r t h a n t h e n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l fa m ilie s ,
liv in g i n m id d le -s iz e d c itie s i n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e g io n .
V a r i a t i o n s in P r o c e d u r e

A s a p p e a r s f r o m t h e s u m m a r y t a b u l a t i o n , t h e c o lo rn a t i v i t y g r o u p in g s f o r th o s e c o m m u n itie s i n w h ic h a
r e g u l a r N e g r o s a m p le w a s t a k e n a n d f o r th o s e i n w h ic h
n o c li p p e d s a m p le w a s t a k e n w e re s o m e w h a t d if f e r e n t
f r o m th o s e d e s c r ib e d a b o v e f o r N o r t h C e n t r a l m id d le s iz e d c itie s .
T h u s i n t h e S o u th , s e p a r a t e p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s
w e re p r e p a r e d f o r n o n re lie f fa m ilie s o f e a c h siz e g r o u p
f o r n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l, f o r n a t i v e - w h it e b r o k e n , f o r
N e g ro n o r m a l, a n d f o r N e g ro b r o k e n fa m ilie s . B e c a u s e
o f t h e v e r y s m a ll n u m b e r o f fo r e ig n - b o r n a n d o t h e r
c o lo r fa m ilie s in th e S o u th , n o s e p a r a t e in c o m e d is 8

F o r d e s c r ip tio n o f ty p e s o f fa m ily c o m p o s itio n u s e d in th e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r

P u r c h a se s , s e e p . 43.

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

58

Ta bl e 2A.—
fo r

S u m m ary

n o n r e lie f

o f th e 6 7 6

fa m ilie s

a g a in s t

s a m p le
w h ic h

p e r c e n ta g e

p o p u la tio n

d is tr ib u tio n s
w e ig h ts

w ere

a p p lie d 1

R e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

(i )

( 2)

(3)

C o lor n a t iv ity
grou p s2

F a m ily -s iz e
g r o u p s for
e ac h c o lo rn a t iv i t y
group

O c c u p a tio n a l
g r o u p s for
e a c h c o lo rn a t iv i t y
g r ou p 3

T o ta l
groups

N e w E n g la n d :
L a r g e c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c i t i e s . -------- -----------R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F a r m . . ------- -------------------T o t a l ._______ __________
N o r th C e n tr a l:
M e t r o p o l i s e s ------- -----------L a rg e c i t i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s ------------S m a ll c i t i e s . ------ --------------R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P e n n s y l v a n i a- O h i o __
M ich ig a n -W is c o n sin . _ _
I ll in o i s - I o w a ... .............

{

T o t a l ........................... ..........
S o u th :
L a r g e c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s ------------S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R u r a l n o n fa r m ____ ____ ___
r s ---------------tF aa rr mm |si 0hpaerreacto
r o p p e r s_______

d i s t r i b u t e b y in c o m e le v e l t h e o t h e r c o lo r fa m ilie s in
th e S o u th .
F o r m e tr o p o lis e s a n d l a r g e c itie s i n t h e N o r t h C e n 
t r a l R e g io n , s e p a r a t e p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s w e re p r e 
p a r e d f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s o f e a c h siz e g r o u p f o r n a t i v e w h i te n o r m a l, f o r n a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , f o r fo r e ig n - b o r n
w h ite , f o r N e g r o n o r m a l, a n d fo r N e g ro b r o k e n fa m ilie s .
A s i n t h e S o u th , a p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r N e g ro
n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n f a m ilie s c o m b in e d w a s u s e d to
d i s t r i b u t e o t h e r c o lo r fa m ilie s b y in c o m e le v e l.
C lip p e d s a m p le d a t a w e r e n o t a v a ila b le f o r a n y
v illa g e u n i t a n d f o r v e r y fe w f a r m u n i t s . H e n c e i t w a s
n e c e s s a r y to u s e t h e s a m p le p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s
f o r n a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l fa m ilie s to d i s t r i b u t e b y in c o m e
le v e l f a m ilie s o f a ll c o l o r - n a ti v it y g ro u p s i n th e s e t y p e s
o f c o m m u n ity , e x c e p t i n t h e S o u th , w h e re N e g ro
f a m ilie s w e re c o v e re d i n t h e r e g u l a r s a m p le . S in c e
t h e p r o p o r t io n o f f o re ig n -b o r n , N e g ro , a n d o t h e r c o lo r
fa m ilie s is c o m p a r a t iv e l y s m a ll i n m o s t r u r a l a r e a s t h e
d e g re e o f e r r o r in t r o d u c e d i n t o t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s
f o r v illa g e a n d f a r m fa m ilie s b y t h i s p r o c e d u r e c o u ld
n o t b e v e r y g r e a t.

T o t a l _______ ____ ______
M o u n t a in a n d P la in s :
L a r g e c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c it ie s ................. .............
R u r a l n o n fa r m -----------------(N o r th D a k o t a ..............
F arm < K a n s a s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
[C o lo r a d o -M o n ta n a ---T o ta l__________________
P a c ific :
L a r g e c i t i e s ........ ............ ..........
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
a sh in g to n -O r e g o n .. _
* a r m \C a lif o r n i a ____
T o ta l____________
T o ta l U n it e d S ta tes .
1 F o r s u m m a r y o f p o p u la tio n w e ig h ts a s r ela te d to n u m b e r of fa m ilie s in th e v a r io u s
s a m p le d is t r ib u t io n s , s e e ta b le s 10A a n d 11A .
2 1 c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r ou p m e a n s n a t iv e -w h it e n o r m a l; 2 m e a n s (1) n a t iv e -w h i te
n o r m a l a n d (2) a ll o th er c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s c o m b in e d ; 5 m e a n s (1) n a t iv e -w h i te
n o r m a l, (2) n a tiv e -w h i te b r o k e n (w it h fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te p o p u la tio n w e ig h ts also
a p p lie d ) , (3) N e g r o n o r m a l, (4) N e g r o b r o k e n , a n d (5) “ o th er c o lo r ” ; 6 m e a n s (1)
n a t iv e -w h it e n o r m a l, (2) n a t iv e -w h it e b r o k e n , (3) fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , (4) N e g r o
n o r m a l, (5) N e g r o b r o k e n a n d (6) “ o th e r c o lo r .”
3 F o r fa r m u n i t s th e o c c u p a tio n a l g r ou p is i m p lic it in th e ty p e o f c o m m u n it y . F or
ru ra l n o n fa r m c o m m u n it ie s , fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g th e la r g es t a m o u n t o f th e ir in c o m e from
fa r m in g w e r e c la s s ifie d s e p a r a te ly fr o m th e i n d e p e n d e n t u n e m p l o y e d , m a k in g 8
o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s; for u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s b o t h o f th e s e g r o u p s w e re in c lu d e d u n d e r
“ o th er o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s .”

t r i b u t i o n s w e re c a lc u la t e d f o r th e s e tw o g ro u p s . T h e
s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r n a t i v e - w h it e b r o k e n fa m ilie s
w e r e u s e d t o d is t r i b u t e b y in c o m e le v e l t h e fo re ig n b o r n w h i te f a m ilie s i n t h e S o u th , s in c e i t a p p e a r e d —
f r o m t h e s e p a r a t e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r fo re ig n - b o r n w h ite
f a m ilie s c o m p u t e d f o r N o r t h C e n t r a l m e tr o p o lis e s —
t h a t t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f fo r e ig n - b o r n f a m ilie s b y in c o m e
le v e l w a s m o r e lik e t h e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r n a t i v e - w h it e
b r o k e n fa m ilie s t h a n f o r n a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l fa m ilie s .
F o r s im ila r re a s o n s , t h e s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r N e g ro
fa m ilie s ( n o rm a l a n d b r o k e n c o m b in e d ) w e re u s e d to

C o m b in i n g t h e D is t r ib u tio n s
fo r C o m p o n e n t G ro u p s

O n c e h a v i n g a p p lie d t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts f o r n o n 
re lie f fa m ilie s a g a i n s t t h e s a m p le p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u 
tio n s , i t w a s p o s s ib le t o c o m b in e t h e w e ig h te d d i s t r i b u 
tio n s b y a d d i n g t h e f r e q u e n c ie s a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l.
I n t h i s w a y f r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e r e o b t a in e d f o r
e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y i n e a c h r e g io n a n d i n t h e t o t a l
U n i te d S ta t e s , f o r e a c h f a m ily s iz e g r o u p a n d f o r o t h e r
b r o a d g r o u p s o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i 
b u t i o n s w e re t h e n c a lc u la t e d f o r e a c h o f th e s e g ro u p s .
A s i n d i c a t e d e a rlie r, s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r
e a c h o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p (a ll f a m i l y s iz e s c o m b in e d )
w e re c a lc u la t e d f o r t h e s a m e c o l o r - n a ti v it y a n d f a m ily
c o m p o s iti o n g ro u p s f o r w h ic h f a m ily - s iz e d is t r i b u t i o n s
w e re p r e p a r e d . T h e s e d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e re c o m b in e d a n d
w e ig h te d i n t h e s a m e m a n n e r a s w e re t h e fa m ily - s iz e
d is t r i b u t i o n s .
T h e f r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r r e lie f fa m ilie s (d is 
c u s s e d i n t h e n e x t s e c ti o n ) w e re f in a lly a d d e d to th o s e
fo r n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s i n e a c h re g io n , a n d t h e r e g io n a l
d i s t r i b u t i o n s c o m b in e d to o b t a i n t h e n a t i o n a l d i s t r i 
b u t i o n f o r a ll fa m ilie s in t h e U n i t e d S ta t e s .
C h e c k in g D is t r ib u t io n s w it h D a t a
fro m N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y

S a m p le d a t a o n t h e in c o m e s o f fa m ilie s f o r t h e y e a r
1935 w e re a v a ila b le f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y
r e c e n t l y c o n d u c t e d b y t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s P u b lic H e a l t h
S e rv ic e i n 8 4 c itie s a n d 23 r u r a l a re a s . T h e e s t im a t e d
in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s o b t a in e d in

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y w e r e c o m p a r e d w it h t h e d a t a fr o m
th e N a tio n a l H e a lth S u rv e y fo r e a c h o f fo u r ty p e s o f
c o m m u n i t y — m e tro p o lis e s , l a r g e c itie s , m id d le -s iz e d
c itie s a n d s m a ll c itie s — w i t h i n e a c h re g io n .
I n m a k in g t h e c o m p a r is o n o f t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s
o b t a i n e d i n t h e tw o s t u d i e s t h e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u 
tio n s f o r t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y c itie s o f t h e s a m e
siz e a n d r e g io n w e r e a v e r a g e d b y in c o m e le v e l, e a c h
d is t r i b u t i o n b e in g g iv e n e q u a l w e ig h t. T h e r e s u ltin g
d is trib u tio n s w e re p lo tte d a n d c o m p a re d w ith th e in 
c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n c u r v e s o b t a i n e d i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y
f o r t h e s a m e s iz e s o f c i t y w i t h i n t h e s a m e re g io n s . T h e s e
c o m p a r is o n s s h o w e d c lo se s i m i l a r it y i n t h e v a r ia t io n s
i n in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n f r o m o n e t y p e o f c o m m u n ity a n d
r e g io n to a n o t h e r , a l t h o u g h t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s fro m th e
N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y w e r e c o n s i s t e n t ly lo w e r t h a n
th o s e b a s e d o n d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u rc h a se s.
T h is d iff e re n c e w a s d u e , i n p a r t a t l e a s t , to t h e f a c t
t h a t t h e d e f in iti o n o f in c o m e u s e d i n t h e N a t i o n a l
H e a l t h S u r v e y d id n o t in c lu d e c e r t a i n i te m s in c lu d e d
i n in c o m e b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s — e. g .,
t h e i m p u t e d v a lu e o f t h e o c c u p a n c y o f a n o w n e d h o m e —
a n d a ls o t o t h e f a c t t h a t o n e -p e rs o n f a m ilie s w e re
in c lu d e d i n t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h
S u r v e y . T h e d a t a f r o m t h a t s t u d y , m o r e o v e r , w e re

59

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e y e a r 1935 r a t h e r t h a n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e in c o m e d a t a i n t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h
S u r v e y r e p r e s e n t e d o n ly a g lo b a l e s t i m a t e o f in c o m e
r e c e iv e d , e a c h f a m ily h a v i n g b e e n a s k e d to i n d i c a t e i n
w h ic h o f s e v e r a l b r o a d in c o m e i n t e r v a l s i t s in c o m e f o r
t h e y e a r fell.
C o m p a r is o n s o f t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o b t a i n e d i n
t h e tw o s t u d i e s fo r N e g ro a n d f o r w h i te f a m ilie s i n t h e
s a m e r e g io n a n d d e g re e o f u r b a n i z a t i o n r e v e a le d t h e
s a m e g e n e r a l s im i l a r it y i n v a r i a t i o n s b e tw e e n c o lo rn a t i v i t y g ro u p s , a n d t h e s a m e t e n d e n c y f o r t h e d i s t r i 
b u t i o n s f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y t o r u n lo w e r
t h a n th o s e b a s e d o n d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u rc h a se s. N o a tte m p t w as m a d e to c o m p a re th e
in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s fo r d if f e r e n t fa m ily - s iz e g ro u p s
a n d f o r d if f e r e n t o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s b e c a u s e t h e
c la s s if ic a tio n s u s e d i n t h e tw o s tu d ie s d id n o t c o r r e 
s p o n d c lo se ly .
B e c a u s e o f t h e c o n s id e r a b le d iffe re n c e s i n d e f in iti o n
o f in c o m e a n d i n t h e m e t h o d o f c la s s if y in g f a m ilie s b y
in c o m e le v e l i n t h e tw o s tu d ie s , a n d t h e d if fe r e n c e i n
t h e 1 2 - m o n th p e r io d c o v e re d b y t h e d a t a , i t w a s n o t
c o n s i d e r e d d e s ir a b le to m a k e a n y a d j u s t m e n t s o f t h e
e s t im a t e d in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y t o
b r in g th e s e i n t o c lo s e r a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e fin d in g s o f
t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u rv e y .

SECTI O N

4,

THE SA M PLE

D I STRI BU TI O N S FOR

RELI EF FA M I LI ES

R e li e f fa m ilie s , d e fin e d t o in c lu d e f a m ilie s t h a t h a d
r e c e iv e d a n y t y p e o f p u b l ic o r p r i v a t e r e lie f a t a n y tim e
d u r in g t h e y e a r , 1 w e r e in c lu d e d i n b o t h t h e r e g u l a r a n d
t h e c lip p e d r a n d o m in c o m e s a m p le s o f t h e S t u d y o f
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , so t h a t t h e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a
w e r e c o m p a r a b le in c o v e ra g e t o th o s e f o r n o n re lie f
fa m ilie s . H o w e v e r , t h e i n f o r m a ti o n o n t h e in c o m e s o f
r e lie f f a m ilie s w a s in c o m p le te , i n t h a t t h e f a m ilie s w e re
n o t a s k e d t o s p e c ify t h e v a lu e o f d i r e c t r e lie f r e c e iv e d
e i t h e r i n c a s h o r in t h e f o r m o f g o o d s a n d s e rv ic e s .
I n f o r m a t i o n w a s o b t a in e d , f r o m a ll o f t h e fa m ilie s
i n te r v ie w e d , o n e a r n in g s f r o m F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y
R e li e f A d m i n is tr a t i o n w o r k r e lie f p r o je c ts a n d fr o m
W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n , C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a ti o n
C o r p s , a n d P u b li c W o r k s A d m i n is tr a t i o n e m p lo y m e n t,
a n d o n a ll f o r m s o f n o n r e lie f in c o m e , b u t i t w a s f e l t
t h a t q u e s tio n s r e g a r d i n g t h e a m o u n t o f d i r e c t re lie f
b e n e fi ts c o u ld n o t o r w o u ld n o t b e a n s w e re d a c c u r a t e l y
b y t h e fa m ilie s .
C la s s if ic a t i o n o f F a m i li e s in S a m p le D a t a

T h e o m is s io n o f d i r e c t r e lie f in c o m e m a d e i t n e c e s 
s a r y t o t a b u l a t e s e p a r a t e l y t h e in c o m e d a t a f o r re lie f
a n d f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n e a c h c o m m u n ity . T h e
s a m p le in c o m e d a t a f o r r e lie f f a m ilie s h a d n o t b e e n
f u lly a n a ly z e d b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s
a t t h e tim e t h i s r e p o r t w a s u n d e r t a k e n , so t h a t s p e c ia l
t a b u l a t i o n s — in $ 1 0 0 i n t e r v a l s — w e r e s u p p lie d b y t h e
t w o b u r e a u s c o n d u c tin g t h e s t u d y . T h e s e t a b u l a t i o n s
c o v e r e d n a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l f a m ilie s i n m o s t o f t h e
s a m p le c o m m u n itie s a n d N e g r o n o r m a l f a m ilie s in
c o m m u n itie s w h e r e t h e y w e r e in c lu d e d i n t h e r e g u la r
s a m p le — i. e ., i n S o u th e r n c o m m u n itie s a n d in tw o
N o r t h C e n t r a l c itie s — N e w Y o r k C i t y a n d C o lu m b u s ,
O h io . T h e y p r o v id e d n o b r e a k b y o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p
o r b y f a m ily s iz e .2
S im ila r t a b u l a t i o n s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s c o n t a c t e d i n th e
c lip p e d s a m p le w e re m a d e b y t h e N a t i o n a l R e s o u rc e s
C o m m i t t e e d ir e c t ly fr o m t h e fa m ily s c h e d u le s , w h ic h
w e r e lo a n e d b y t h e b u r e a u s f o r t h i s p u r p o s e . D a t a fo r
1 F o r fu r th e r d e fin i tio n o f r e lie f fa m ily , s e e p . 42.
2 F o r l i s t o f c o m m u n it ie s a n d q u a li ta ti v e g r o u p s for w h i c h r e lie f s a m p le in co m e
d i s tr ib u t io n s w e r e p re p a re d , s e e s u m m a r y ta b u l a t io n o n p p . 61-62.

60

a ll s u c h fa m ilie s — n a t i v e - w h it e b r o k e n , N e g r o b r o k e n ,
fo re ig n -b o r n , a n d o t h e r c o lo r fa m ilie s — w e re p o o le d ,
a n d o n e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n p r e p a r e d f o r t h e e n t i r e
c lip p e d s a m p le i n a c o m m u n ity , o r— w h e re c li p p e d
s a m p le s f o r m o r e t h a n o n e c o m m u n ity o f t h e s a m e t y p e
w e re u s e d — i n o n e t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n t h e re g io n .
C o m b in i n g t h e S a m p le D a t a

W h e n p e r c e n ta g e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e re a v a ila b le
fo r t h e s a m e q u a l i t a t i v e g r o u p f o r tw o o r m o r e c o m 
m u n itie s o f t h e s a m e t y p e w it h i n a r e g io n — e . g ., f o r
n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l f a m ilie s i n m id d le -s iz e d c itie s i n
t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e g io n — t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s w e re
a v e r a g e d , g iv in g e a c h d i s t r i b u t i o n e q u a l w e ig h t,3 t o
o b t a in t h e s a m p le p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n f in a lly u s e d i n
d i s t r i b u t i n g b y in c o m e le v e l t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f r e lie f
fa m ilie s b e lo n g in g t o t h a t q u a l i t a t i v e g ro u p .
A p a r t f r o m c e r t a i n m in o r d e v i a t i o n s c a u s e d b y t h e
la c k o f re lie f t a b u l a t i o n s f o r a fe w s a m p le a r e a s ,4 t h e
p r o c e d u r e s fo llo w e d i n c o m b in in g a n d w e ig h tin g t h e
s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f f a m ilie s w e r e s im ila r to
th e s e d e s c r ib e d i n t h e p r e c e d in g s e c ti o n f o r n o n r e lie f
fa m ilie s . I n c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s — i n $ 1 0 0 i n t e r v a l s a n d
e x c lu s iv e o f d ir e c t re lie f — w e re t h u s o b t a in e d f o r e a c h
t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n e a c h re g io n .
A s i n d i c a t e d b e lo w , e s t im a t e s o f t h e v a lu e o f d i r e c t
re lie f o m i t t e d f r o m t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s c o u ld b e m a d e
o n ly f o r tw o t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n a re g io n . I t
w a s t h e r e f o r e n e c e s s a r y t o e ffe c t a f u r t h e r c o m b i n a t i o n
o f t h e r e lie f in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s b e f o r e t h e y c o u ld b e
a d j u s t e d b y t h e a d d i ti o n o f d ir e c t r e lie f in c o m e . W i t h 
in e a c h re g io n , t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r f a r m s , r u r a l n o n f a r m a r e a s , a n d s m a ll c it ie s w e r e c o m b in e d i n t o o n e d is 
t r i b u t i o n , a n d t h o s e f o r o t h e r t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y in t o
a n o t h e r . S in c e t h e p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r e a c h
t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y h a d a lr e a d y b e e n w e ig h te d b y t h e
a p p r o p r i a t e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s , th e s e c o m b in a tio n s
c o u ld b e m a d e b y a d d in g t h e fr e q u e n c ie s a t e a c h in c o m e
lev e l.
3 E x c e p t for fa r m a n d v i lla g e u n i ts in th e S o u th , w h i c h w e r e w e ig h te d in th e s a m e
w a y th a t th e n o n r e lief d is tr ib u tio n s for th e s e u n i ts w e r e w e ig h te d . F o r e x p la n a tio n ,
s ee p p . 54 a n d 57.
4 T h e s a m p le c o m m u n it ie s for w h ic h s p e c ia l r e lie f ta b u la t io n s w e r e n o t a v a ila b le
are in d ic a te d in th e fo o tn o te s to th e s u m m a r y ta b u la t io n o n p p . 61 -62.

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

Ta bl e 3A . —

61

S u m m a r y o f s a m p l e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e l i e f f a m i l i e s u s e d to d i s t r i b u t e r e l i e f f a m i l y p o p u l a t i o n b y in c o m e le v e l

T h e s a m p le in c o m e d a ta a n d t h e p o p u la tio n d a ta for r e lie f fa m ilie s w e r e n o t s u b d i v i d e d b y fa m ily s iz e or b y o c c u p a tio n a l g r ou p , s o t h a t o n l y o n e in c o m e d is t r ib u tio n , r e p r es e n tin g
a l l fa m il y s iz e s a n d a l l o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s c o m b in e d , w a s p r ep a re d fo r e a c h q u a lita tiv e g r ou p ]
C o m m u n i tie s c o v e r e d b y s a m 
p le in c o m e d a ta , b y r eg ion
a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

M e t h o d u s e d i n c o m b in in g i n c o m e d a ta for
c o m m u n i tie s o f t h e s a m e t y p e

Q u a lita tiv e g r o u p s fo r w h i c h s a m p le i n 
c o m e d is tr ib u tio n s w e r e p r ep a re d

NEW
L a r g e c ities :
P r o v id e n c e , R . I.
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
N e w B r ita in , C o n n .
H a v e r h ill, M a s s .
S m a ll c itie s :
W a llin g fo r d , C o n n .
W il lim a n t ic , C o n n .
W e s tb r o o k , M a in e .
G r e e n fie ld , M a s s .
V illa g e u n its :
V e r m o n t-M a s s a c h u s e tts .
F a r m u n its :
V e r m o n t— d a ir y .

P o p u la tio n g r o u p s u s e d to w e ig h t s a m p le in c o m e
d is tr ib u tio n s

ENGLAND

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te
broken,
fo r e ig n -b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th er colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N egro .
a n d o th er colo r.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m regu lar s a m p le s in s m a ll c itie s ; 1 p o o le d fr e 
q u e n c y d i s tr ib u tio n s fr o m c lip p ed s a m p le s
i n N e w B r it a in a n d H a v e r h ill.

1 . N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.1
2. N a t iv e -w h i te
broken,
fo r e ig n -b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th e r colo r.

1. N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r eig n -b o r n w h i te , N e g ro ,
a n d o th e r colo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m reg u lar
s a m p les ; c lip p e d s a m p le for W a llin g fo r d
o n ly .

1 . N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n - b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th er colo r.

1. N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
2 . N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , N e g r o
a n d o th er colo r.

1 .

N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. N a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l.

1. A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n .
1. A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n
(M e ., N . H ., V t . , M a s s ., R . I . , C o n n .) .

NORTH CENTRAL
M e tr o p o lis e s :
N e w Y ork, N . Y .
C h ic a g o , 111.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m r eg u lar
s a m p le for n a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l; N e g r o n orm a l for N e w Y o r k o n ly ; c lip p ed s a m p le
for C h ica g o o n ly .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g r o n o r m a L
3. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , N e g r o b r ok e n ,
fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , a n d o th er color.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g r o n o r m a l.
3. N a t iv e - w h i t e b r o k e n , N e g ro
b o r n w h i te , a n d o th er color.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g r o n o r m a l.
3 . N a t iv e - w h i t e b r o k e n , N e g r o b r o k e n ,
fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , a n d o th er colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g r o n o r m a l.
3. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , N e g r o b r o k e n , fo reig n b o r n w h i te , a n d o th er color.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m reg u la r s a m p le s ; p o o le d fr eq u e n c y d i s tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c li p p e d s a m p le s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2 . N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th er color.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , for e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g ro ,
a n d o th er color.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s fr o m regu la r s a m p le s; p o o le d fr eq u e n c y d i s tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c lip p e d s a m p le s.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo reig n -b o rn
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th er colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e - w h i t e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g ro ,
a n d o th er color.

A v e r a g e d p e r c en ta g e d is trib u tio n s.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. A l l co lo r n a t i v i t y g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .

1. A ll c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n
(P a ., O h io , N . J .).
1. A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n

L a rg e c ities :
C o l u m b u s O h io.

M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
D u b u q u e , Iow a.
M u n c ie , I n d .
N e w C a stle, P a .
S p r in g fie ld , 111.2
S m a ll c ities :
B e a v e r F a lls , P a .
C o n n e lls v ille , P a .
L o g a n s p o r t, I n d .
P eru, Ind .
M a t to o n , 111.
V illa g e u n its :
P e n n s y lv a n i a - O h io .
M ic h ig a n - W is c o n s in .
I llin o is -I o w a .
F a r m u n its :
P e n n s y lv a n ia — g e n er a l.
O h io — g e n er a l.
M ic h ig a n — d a ir y a n d g e n 
eral.
W is c o n s in — d a ir y .
I llin o is — c o rn or c a s h grain .
I o w a — a n im a l s p e c ia lt y .

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

I . N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

b r o k e n , fo r eig n

(M ic h ., W is ., N . Y ., M in n .) .
1. A l l c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n
(111., I o w a , I n d ., M o .).

SO UTH
L a rg e c ities :
A tla n t a , G a .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g ro n o r m a l.

M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
C o lu m b u s, S . C .
M o b ile , A la .
S m a ll c ities :
A lb a n y , G a .
G riffin , G a.
G a s to n ia , N . C .
S u m te r , S . C .
V illa g e u n its :
G e o rg ia -S o u th C a r o lin a .
N o r th
C a r olin a - M iss is s ip p i.
F a r m u n its :
N o r th C a r olin a — s elf-s u f
ficin g . 3
N o r th
C a r o lin a — c o tto n
a n d to b a c c o.
S o u th C a r o lin a — c o tto n
a n d to b a c c o.
G eo rg ia— c o tto n .
M is s is s ip p i— c o tto n .

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g r o n o r m a l.

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g r o n o r m a l

A v e r a g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u t io n s .4

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N e g r o n o r m a l.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is t r ib u t io n s . 4

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l sh a r ec ro p p e rs.
3. N e g r o n o r m a l op e ra to r s.
4. N e g r o n o r m a l s h a r ec ro p p e rs.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , n o r m a l a n d
broken.
2. N e g r o a n d o th er co lo r, n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .
1. N a t iv e -w h i te , fo r eig n -b o r n w h i te , n o r m a l a n d
broken.
2. N e g r o a n d o th er c o lo r, n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .
1. N a t iv e -w h i te , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , n o r m a l a n d
b r ok e n .
2. N e g r o a n d o th er colo r, n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .
1. N a t iv e -w h i te , fo r eig n -b o r n w h i te , n o r m a l a n d
broken.
2. N e g r o a n d o th e r co lo r, n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .
1. A l l w h i te o p e ra to r s ( N . C ., S . C ., G a ., M is s .,
D e l ., M d ., V a ., W . V a ., F la ., K y ., T e n n ., A la .,
A r k ., L a ., O k la ., T e x .).
2. A l l w h i te s h a r ec ro p p e rs (S ta te s l is te d a b o v e ).
3. A l l N e g r o a n d o th e r c o lo r o p e r a to r s (S ta te s lis te d
a b o v e ).
4. A l l N e g r o a n d o th er co lo r s h a r ec ro p p e rs (S ta te s
l is te d a b o v e ).

1 S p e c ia l r e lie f ta b u l a t io n s for r eg u la r s a m p le n o t a v a ila b le a t th e ti m e th i s r ep o r t w a s p r ep a re d . U s e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s fr o m s m a ll c iti e s in r eg ion .
2 S p e c ia l r e lie f ta b u la t io n for r eg u lar s a m p le n o t a v a ila b le a t th e tim e th i s r ep o r t w a s p r ep a re d .
3 W h it e o p e r a to r s o n ly .
4 R e li e f d i s tr ib u tio n s for S o u th er n fa r m s a n d v ill a g e s w e r e w e ig h t e d in t h e s a m e m a n n e r th a t n o n r e lief d is tr ib u tio n s w e r e . F o r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p p . 54 a n d 57.

62

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

Ta bl e 3A.—

S u m m ary

o f s a m p le

in c o m e

d is tr ib u tio n s

fo r

r e lie f fa m ilie s

u sed

to

d is tr ib u te

r e lie f f a m ily

p o p u la tio n

by

in c o m e

le v e l—

C o n ti n u e d

C o m m u n i t i e s co vered b y
s a m p l e i n c o m e d a ta , b y r e
g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

M e t h o d u s e d i n c o m b in in g in c o m e d a ta for
c o m m u n i tie s o f th e s a m e ty p e

Q u a lita tiv e g r o u p s for w h i c h s a m p le in 
c o m e d i s tr ib u tio n s w e r e p rep a red

P o p u l a ti o n g r o u p s u s e d to w e ig h t s a m p le in c o m e
d is tr ib u tio n s

M O U N T A IN A N D P L A IN S
L a r g e c ities :
D e n v e r , C o lo.
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
B u tt e , M o n t.
P u e b lo , C o le
S m a ll c ities :
B illin g s , M o n t.
D o d g e C i ty , I o w a .
G r e e ley , C o lo .
L o g a n , U ta h .
P r o v o , U ta h .
V illa g e u n its:
K a n s a s - N o r th D a k o ta .
C o lo r a d o -M o n ta n a -S o u th
D a k o ta .
F a r m u n its :
N o r th D a k o t a — w h e a t or
c a s h g r a in .
K a n s a s — w h e a t or c a s h
g r a in .
C o lo r a d o -M o n ta n a -S o u th
D a k o t a — ra n g e liv e s to c k
a n d c a s h g r a in .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te
broken,
fo r e ig n -b o r n
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th er colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g r o ,
a n d o th e r colo r.

A v e ra g e d p e rc e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s fr o m r eg u la r s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d is tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c li p p e d s a m p le s.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h it e
b r ok e n ,
fo r eig n -b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th e r colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r ok e n , fo r e ig n -b cr n w h i te , N e g r o ,
a n d o th er c o lo r.

A v e ra g e d p e rc e n ta g e d i s tr ib u t io n s fr o m r eg u lar s a m p le s ; c lip p e d s a m p l e for B illin g s
o n ly .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te
b r ok e n ,
foreig n -b o rn
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th er color.

1. N a t iv e - w h i t e n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , N e g ro ,
a n d o th er c o lo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s

1. N a t iv e -w h it e n o r m a l.

1. A ll c o lo r -n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s ,
( N . D a k ., S . D a k .) .
1. A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s ,
(K a n s ., N e b r .).
1. A l l c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s ,
(C o lo ., M o n t., I d a h o ,
A r iz ., N . M e x .).

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

n orm a l a n d b rok en
n orm a l a n d b rok en
n orm a l an d b rok en
W y o ., N e v . , U t a h ,

P A C IF IC
L a rg e c ities :
P o r tla n d , O reg.
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
A b e r d e en - H o q u i a m ,
W ash.
B e llin g h a m , W a s h .
E v e r e tt , W a sh .
S m a ll c ities :
A s to r ia , O reg.
E u g e n e , O reg.
K la m a th F a lls , O reg.
O ly m p ia , W a s h .
V illa g e u n i ts :
C a liforn ia.
O re g o n -W a s h in g t o n .
F a r m u n its:
W a s h in g to n — d a ir y ,
p o u ltr y .
O regon — g e n e r al a n d fr u it.
C e n tra l C a liforn ia— fr u it
a n d d a ir y .
S o u th e r n C a lifo rn ia— fr u it.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h it e b r o k e n , fo r e ig n - b o r n
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th e r colo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , N e g ro ,
a n d o th e r colo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s fr o m reg u la r s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d i s tr ib u tio n s
fr o m c lip p e d s a m p le s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t i v e - w h it e b r o k e n , fo reig n - b o r n
w h i te , N e g r o , a n d o th er c o lo r.

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo reig n -b o rn w h it e , N e g r o ,
a n d o th e r colo r.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s fr o m r eg u lar
s a m p le s; p o o le d fr e q u e n c y d i s tr ib u ti o n s
fr o m c lip p e d s a m p le s in m id d le -s iz e d c itie s
in r e g io n .5

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te
broken,
fo reig n -b o rn
w h it e , N e g r o , a n d o th er c o lo r .5

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.
2. N a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , fo r e ig n -b o r n w h it e , N e g r o ,
a n d o th er color.

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. A ll c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r ok e n .

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l.

1. A l l c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l
(W a s h ., O r e g .).

A v e ra g e d p e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u tio n s .

1. N a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l.

1. A l l c o lo r -n a t iv ity g r o u p s , n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n
(C a lif.).

a n d b r ok e n

5 S ee fo o tn o te 6 p . 57.

E s tim a te s o f D i r e c t R e li e f O m i t t e d F ro m

S u m m a ry o f P ro c e d u re

B e c a u s e o f t h e a b s e n c e o f a fa m ily - s i z e a n d a n o c c u 
p a t i o n a l b r e a k i n t h e s a m p le in c o m e t a b u l a t i o n s , t h e
t o t a l n u m b e r o f s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s p r e p a r e d
f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s w a s c o n s id e r a b ly s m a lle r t h a n t h e
n u m b e r f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s .

I n a ll, s a m p le p e r c e n t 

a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e r e a v a ila b le f o r 102 q u a l i t a t i v e
g r o u p s . A s a p p e a r s f r o m t h e s u m m a r y t a b u l a t i o n in
ta b le

4A ,

th is

n um ber w as

re d u c e d — b y

a v e r a g in g

t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r s a m p le c o m m u n itie s o f t h e s a m e
t y p e w ith in a r e g io n — to 53 p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s
a g a i n s t w h ic h t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s
w e re fi n a lly a p p lie d .5
5

F o r d e s cr ip tio n o f p o p u la tio n w e ig h ts for r e lief fa m ilie s, s e e S e c . 6.

D is t r ib u tio n s

E s t i m a t e s o f t h e v a l u e o f d ir e c t r e lie f o m i t t e d fr o m
t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s w e r e m a d e f o r e a c h r e g io n o n
t h e b a s is o f r e lie f fig u r e s f r o m v a r io u s G o v e r n m e n t
a g e n c ie s s h o w in g t h e a m o u n t o f d i r e c t r e lie f o f v a r io u s
t y p e s d i s t r i b u t e d i n t h e U n i t e d S ta t e s , b y re g io n s ,
f r o m J u l y 193 5 t h r o u g h J u n e 1936.
I n c lu d e d in th e s e e s t im a t e s w e r e t h e fo llo w in g t y p e s
o f re lie f: d i r e c t r e lie f d i s t r i b u t e d u n d e r t h e g e n e ra l
re lie f p r o g r a m o f t h e F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y B e li e f A d 
m i n i s t r a t i o n f r o m J u l y 193 5 t h r o u g h D e c e m b e r 1935 ;6
6

D a t a fr o m F . E . R . A ., S t a t i s t i c a l S u m m a r y o f E m e r g e n c y R e l i e f A c t i v i t i e s , J a n 

C o m p u t e d fr o m ta b le 6, A m o u n t o f O b lig a tio n s
I n c u rr e d for E m e r g e n c y R e lie f (d ir e c t a n d w o r k ) E x te n d e d to C a s es U n d e r th e

u a r y 19 3 3 th r o u g h D e c e m b e r 1 9 3 5 .

G en e ra l R e lie f P r o g ra m , b y S ta te s , a n d ta b le 10, A m o u n t o f E a r n in g s o f C a s es E m 
p lo y e d o n t h e E m e r g e n c y W o r k R e li e f P r o g ra m , b y S ta te s.

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

Ta bl e 4A.—
fo r

63

S u m m ary

r e lie f fa m ilie s

o f th e

a g a in s t

53

s a m p le p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s

w h ic h

'p o p u la tio n

w e ig h ts

to t h e a g e d , t h e b lin d , a n d d e p e n d e n t c h ild r e n u n d e r
t h e S o c ia l S e c u r i ty A c t a n d u n d e r S t a t e la w s a u th o r iz i n g
s u c h t y p e s o f a s s is ta n c e p r i o r t o p a r t i c i p a t i o n u n d e r
t h e S o c ia l S e c u r ity A c t ; 8 R e s e t t l e m e n t e m e rg e n c y
g r a n t s ; 9 r e lie f d i s t r i b u t e d b y p r i v a t e a g e n c ie s ;10 a n d
t h e i m p u t e d v a lu e o f s u r p lu s c o m m o d itie s d i s t r i b u t e d
b y t h e F e d e r a l S u r p lu s C o m m o d itie s C o r p o r a t i o n . 11
T h e e s t i m a t e d a m o u n t o f d i r e c t r e lie f o f th e s e v a r io u s
t y p e s d i s t r i b u t e d in e a c h r e g io n is s h o w n i n t h e a c c o m 
p a n y in g t a b le .

w ere a p 

p lie d 1

R e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

C o lo rn a tiv ity
g rou p s 2

T o t a l g r ou p s

N e w E n g la n d :
L a r g e c i t i e s . ........... ..........
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c it i e s ....... ...............
R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F a r m ........ ........................
T o t a l . ............................
N o r th C e n tra l:
M e t r o p o lis e s ................. . .
L a r g e c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c i t i e s _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c it i e s ..... .......... ......
R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F a rm :
P e n n sy lv a n ia -O h io _ _
M ic h i g a n - W is c o n s in .
I ll in o is -I o w a ______

D i v i s i o n o f D i r e c t R e l i e f B e tw e e n
T w o T y p e s o f C o m m u n it y in E a c h R e g io n

I t w a s n o t p o s s ib le , w i t h t h e i n f o r m a ti o n a v a ila b le ,
t o m a k e a s a t i s f a c t o r y e s t i m a t e o f t h e v a l u e o f d ir e c t
r e lie f f o r e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y c o v e re d b y t h i s s t u d y .
A c c o rd in g ly , t h e a m o u n t o f d ir e c t r e lie f i n e a c h re g io n
w a s d iv id e d i n t o o n ly tw o p a r t s , r e p r e s e n t i n g th e

T o ta l ..................... .
S o u th :
L a r g e c it i e s ____ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c i t i e s ___
S m a ll c it i e s ................... .
R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F arm :
O p e r a to r s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S h a re cr o p p e rs____

a m o u n t s d i s t r i b u t e d to t h e u r b a n a n d t o t h e r u r a l - t o w n
p o p u la t io n , r e s p e c tiv e ly , a s th e s e w e r e d e f in e d i n t h e
c o m b in e d U r b a n - R u r a l- T o w n R e li e f S e r ie s r e c e n t l y d e 
v e lo p e d b y t h e R u r a l S e c tio n o f t h e D iv is io n o f S o c ia l
R e s e a r c h i n t h e W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n . I n
t h a t s e rie s , t h e u r b a n p o p u la t io n in c lu d e d t h e p o p u la 
t i o n o f a ll c o u n tie s c o n t a i n in g a c i t y o f 2 5 ,0 0 0 o r m o re
p e r s o n s , a n d o f N e w E n g l a n d to w n s h ip s c o n ta in in g
5 ,0 0 0 o r m o r e p e r s o n s . T h e r u r a l - t o w n p o p u la t io n , o n

T o ta l__________
M o u n t a in a n d P la in s :
L a rg e c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c i t i e s ----S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F a rm :
N o r t h D a k o t a ____
K an sa s__________
C o lo r a d o -M o n ta n a .
T o ta l_ __ __ __ __ _

8 M o n t h l y e s t im a te s for e a c h S t a te s u p p lie d b y S o c ia l S e c u r ity B o a r d , B u r e a u o f

P a c ific :
L a r g e c it i e s _____ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c i t i e s _____
S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F arm :
W a s h in g t o n - O r e g o n ...
C a lifo r n ia ......... ........ .

R e se a r c h a n d S t a tis ti c s , D i v is i o n o f P u b li c A s s is t a n c e S ta tis tic s .
o M o n t h l y d a ta o n g r a n ts c e r tified for p a y m e n t for e a c h S t a t e fr o m R e s e t tle m e n t
A d m in is tr a tio n , F ir s t A n n u a l R e p o r t, ta b le 2, p . 162.
10 R e g io n a l e s t im a te s b u i lt u p b y N a t io n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m i tte e o n th e b a s i s of
m o n th l y d a ta o n p r iv a te r e lie f i n th e 118 u r b a n a r ea s i n c lu d e d i n th e U r b a n R e lie f
S e ries a n d i n th e 385 r u r a l a r e a s i n c l u d e d i n t h e R u r a l-T o w n R e lie f S e ries a n d c h e c k e d
w i t h n a t io n a l e s t im a t e o f p r iv a te r e lie f m a d e b y W . P . A ., D i v is i o n o f S o c ia l R e se a r ch ,

T o t a l .............. . ........ .

for th e s a m e p e rio d o n t h e b a s is o f th e s a m e s a m p l e d a ta . F o r U r b a n R e lie f S eries,
s e e m o n th l y b u l le tin s U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , C h ild r e n ’s B u r e a u , C h a n g e s

T o ta l U n i te d S ta te s.

D u r in g (n a m e o f m o n th ) in D iffe r e n t T y p e s o f P u b li c a n d P r iv a te R e lie f i n U r b a n
A r ea s , (J u ly 1 9 3 5 -M a y 1936) a n d U . S . D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r , C h ild r e n ’s B u r e a u , a n d

1 F o r s u m m a r y o f p o p u la tio n w e ig h ts a s r e l a te d to n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s in th e v a r io u s
s a m p le d is t r ib u t io n s , s e e ta b le s 10 A a n d 11A .
2 1 c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p m e a n s n a t iv e -w h it e n o r m a l; 2 m e a n s (1) n a t iv e -w h i te
n o r m a l a n d (2) a ll o th er c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s c o m b in e d ; 3 m e a n s (1) n a t iv e -w h i te
n o r m a l, (2) N e g r o n o r m a l, a n d (3) a ll o th er c o lo r - n a tiv ity g r o u p s c o m b in e d .

S o c ia l S e c u r ity B o a r d , C h a n g e s D u r in g J u n e 1936 in D iffe r e n t T y p e s o f P u b li c a n d
P r iv a t e R e li e f i n U r b a n A r ea s , ta b le 4. F o r R u r a l-T o w n R e lie f S e ries, s e e m o n th l y
b u lle tin s , W . P . A ., D i v is i o n o f S o c ia l R e s ea r ch , R u r a l S e ctio n , C u r r e n t S ta tis tic s
o f R e lie f in R u r a l a n d T o w n A r ea s , J u l y 19 3 5 -J u n e 1936. R e li e f e x te n d e d b y p r iv a te
a g e n c ie s w a s p r e d o m in a n tly d ir e c t relief.
11 V o lu m e d a ta o n c o m m o d itie s d i s tr ib u te d i n e a c h S t a t e fro m J u l y 1,1 9 3 5 , to J u n e
3 0 , 1936, s u p p lie d b y F e d e ra l S u r p lu s C o m m o d itie s C o r p o r a tio n . V a lu e s im p u te d

g e n e r a l r e lie f d is t r i b u t e d b y S t a t e s a n d lo c a li tie s fr o m
J a n u a r y th r o u g h J u n e 1936 ;7 p u b lic a s s is ta n c e e x te n d e d

b y th e N a t io n a l R e so u r c es C o m m i tte e o n th e b a s is o f a v e r a g e r e ta il p r ic es o f c o m m o d i
ti e s in 1935 a n d 1936, a s s h o w n b y U . S. B u r e a u o f L a b o r S ta tis tic s i n b u l le tin s o n

7 M o n t h l y e s t im a te s for e a c h o f th e fiv e g e o g r a p h ic r eg io n s s u p p lie d b y W . P . A .,
D i v is i o n o f R e s ea r ch , S t a t is t ic s a n d R e c o r d s . G en e ra l r e lie f d u r in g th is p e rio d w a s

R e ta il P r ice s, a n d o f in fo r m a tio n s u p p lie d b y th e U . S . B u r e a u o f A g r ic u ltu r a l
E c o n o m ic s .

p r e d o m in a n tly d ir e c t relie f.

Ta bl e 5A.—

E s tim a te d a m o u n ts o f d ir e c t r e lie f d is tr ib u te d i n fiv e r e g io n s ,l J u l y

T y p e o f r e lie f

D ir e c t r e l ie f u n d e r th e g e n e r a l r e lie f p r o g r a m , F . E . R . A .— J u ly - D e c e m b e r ,
1935 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
G e n e ra l p u b lic r e lief, J a n u a r y -J u n e , 19 36................... . __ ........ . ........ ............
P u b li c a s s is ta n c e to th e a g ed , to th e b l in d a n d to d e p e n d e n t c h ild r e n ............. .
R e s e t tle m e n t e m e r g e n c y g r a n ts------------- ------------ --------------------------F ed e r a l s u r p lu s c o m m o d it ie s ____

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . . . . -------------------------

A l l ty p e s o f d ir e c t r e lie f__ _ . ---------------- ---------------------------------

A l l r e g io n s

$406,882,
249, 209,
138,056,
15,343,
17 ,6 80,
72 ,1 62,

298
334
226
325
550
922

$899, 334, 655

1 F o r S ta te s in c lu d e d i n e a c h r e g io n , s e e p p . 42-43.
2 F o r s o u r ce s o f d a ta , s e e fo o tn o te 6 , p . 63 a n d fo o tn o te s 7, 8, 9, 10 a n d 11 o n th i s p a g e.

N e w E n g la n d
r e g io n

1 9 8 5 th r o u g h J u n e 1 9 3 6

N o r th C e n tr a l
r e g io n

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

2

M o u n t a in a n d
P la in s re g io n

P a c ific
r eg ion

555
415
727
014
010
331

$292, 744, 236
184 ,04 7 ,0 2 2
91 ,8 23, 255
2 ,8 4 1 ,0 7 5
10 ,1 96, 891
32, 217, 089

$33, 24 0,909
14, 62 5,110
5 ,93 3, 614
3,47 5 , 230
2, 225, 759
2 2 ,8 9 1 ,14 2

$20,949, 026
9 ,4 7 8 ,1 4 2
8 ,62 4 , 980
7 ,56 9 , 791
61 0,457
8 ,0 0 6 ,1 2 6

$3 9,872, 572
19, 537,645
1 7 ,8 2 4 ,65 0
1,407, 215
90 0,433
4 ,18 5, 234

$ 6 4 ,10 7 ,0 5 2

$6 13,86 9, 568

$8 2,391, 764

$55, 238, 522

$83 ,72 7 ,7 4 9

$ 2 0,075 ,
21, 521,
13,849,
50,
3, 747,
4,86 3,

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

64
t h e o t h e r h a n d , in c lu d e d t h e p o p u l a t i o n o f a ll c o u n ti e s
n o t c o n t a i n in g a c i t y o f 2 5 ,0 0 0 o r m o r e p e r s o n s , a n d o f
N e w E n g l a n d to w n s h ip s c o n ta in in g le s s t h a n 5 ,0 0 0
perso ns.
T h is d iv is io n o f t h e p o p u la t io n w a s o n ly c r u d e ly
a n a lo g o u s t o a d iv is io n , a t t h e 2 5 ,0 0 0 p o p u l a t i o n le v e l,
o f t h e s ix t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y d e fin e d i n t h i s s t u d y —
i. e ., f a r m s , v illa g e s , a n d s m a ll c it ie s i n o n e g r o u p a n d
m id d le -s iz e d c itie s , l a r g e c itie s , a n d m e tr o p o lis e s in
a n o t h e r . N e v e r th e le s s , a b r e a k b e tw e e n th e s e tw o
d e g re e s o f u r b a n i z a t i o n s e e m e d t o o ffe r a s o m e w h a t
b e t t e r b a s is f o r a d j u s t i n g t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r
r e lie f f a m ilie s t h a n a n y a t t e m p t t o a d d t h e v a l u e o f
d ir e c t re lie f i n e a c h r e g io n t o t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n
f o r a ll t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y c o m b in e d .
I n d iv id in g d i r e c t re lie f b e tw e e n “ u r b a n ” a n d r u r a l t o w n a r e a s i n e a c h re g io n , u s e w a s m a d e o f m e th o d s
s im ila r t o th o s e u s e d b y t h e W o r k s P r o g r e s s A d m in is 
t r a t i o n i n p r e p a r i n g n a t i o n a l e s t im a t e s f o r t h e fisc a l
y e a r e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 936. T h e s e e s t im a t e s , s h o w in g
t h e v o lu m e o f r e lie f o f e a c h t y p e d i s t r i b u t e d in t o t a l
u r b a n a n d to ta l ru ra l-to w n U n ite d S ta te s , w e re co n 
s t r u c t e d b y a p ro c e s s o f g e n e ra li z in g t h e m o n t h l y d a t a
f r o m t h e U r b a n a n d t h e R u r a l- T o w n R e li e f s e rie s 12 to
re p re s e n t th e to ta l u rb a n a n d to ta l ru ra l-to w n
p o p u l a t i o n . 13
I n s u m m a r y , t h e s te p s in v o lv e d i n t h e p ro c e s s o f
d iv id in g t h e v a r io u s t y p e s o f d i r e c t r e lie f i n e a c h r e g io n
b e tw e e n t h e u r b a n a n d t h e r u r a l - t o w n r e lie f p o p u la t io n
o f t h e r e g io n w e r e a s fo llo w s :14 T h e t o t a l u r b a n p o p u la 
t i o n i n e a c h r e g io n w a s d e t e r m i n e d b y c o m b in in g t h e
1 9 3 0 p o p u la t io n fig u r e s f o r u r b a n a r e a s a s d e f in e d a b o v e .
T h i s fig u r e w a s t h e n s u b t r a c t e d f r o m t h e t o t a l p o p u la 
t i o n o f t h e r e g io n t o a s c e r ta i n t h e r u r a l - t o w n p o p u la t io n
o f t h e re g io n . T h e s e p o p u la t io n fig u r e s f o r u r b a n a n d
f o r r u r a l - t o w n a r e a s w e r e t h e n d iv id e d , re s p e c tiv e ly ,
b y t h e p o p u la t io n o f t h e u r b a n a n d o f t h e r u r a l - t o w n
s a m p le a r e a s w i t h i n t h e r e g io n w h ic h w e r e in c lu d e d i n
t h e U r b a n R e li e f S e r ie s a n d i n t h e R u r a l - T o w n R e lie f
S e rie s . T h e r e s u l ti n g p o p u la t io n r a t i o s w e re t h e n
a p p lie d a g a i n s t t h e r e lie f e x p e n d i tu r e d a t a f r o m th e
U r b a n a n d t h e R u r a l- T o w n R e lie f S e rie s f o r t h e 12m o n t h p e r io d e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 3 6 , t o o b t a i n th e
e s t im a t e d e x p e n d itu r e s f o r v a r io u s t y p e s o f d ir e c t
r e lie f f o r t h e t o t a l u r b a n a n d t h e t o t a l r u r a l - t o w n
p o p u la t io n i n e a c h re g io n .
12 S e e fo o tn o te 10, p . 63.
13 F o r d e s c r ip tio n a n d m e t h o d o lo g y o f th e c o m b in e d U r b a n -R u r a l-T o w n R e lie f
S e r ie s a n d t h e e s t im a te d e x p e n d itu r e s for th e c o m p o n e n t t y p e s o f r e lie f in u r b a n an d
i n r u ra l-to w n ar ea s , s e e W o o fte r, T . J ., Jr.; A a r o n s o n , F r a n k lin , a n d M a n g u s , A . R .:
R e li e f i n U r b a n a n d R u r a l-T o w n A r e a s , 1932-1936, R e s ea r ch B u lle t in , S e ries I I I ,
N o . 3 . (I n p r ep a ra tio n ) D i v is i o n o f S o c ia l R e s ea r ch , W . P . A .
14 U s e o f th i s p r oc e ss for d e r iv in g r eg io n a l e s t im a te s s im ila r to th o s e p r ep a re d b y th e
W . P . A . for t h e to t a l U n i t e d S ta t e s i n v o l v e d t h e s o m e w h a t d u b io u s a s s u m p tio n th a t
t h e s a m p le d a t a fr o m t h e U r b a n a n d t h e R u r a l-T o w n R e lie f S e ries w e r e a s r e p r es en 
t a t i v e fo r e a c h r e g io n a s t h e c o m b in e d d a t a w e r e fo r t h e to t a l U n i te d S ta te s . H o w 
e v e r , t h e c o m b i n e d r e g io n a l e s tim a te s , w e r e fo u n d t o a p p ro x im a te v e r y c lo s e ly th e
n a t io n a l e s tim a te s m a d e b y th e W . P . A .

I t w a s p o s s ib le f r o m th e s e fig u r e s t o c a lc u la t e f o r e a c h
t y p e o f d i r e c t r e lie f t h e p e r c e n ta g e g iv e n t o t h e u r b a n
a n d t h e p e r c e n ta g e g iv e n t o t h e r u r a l - t o w n p o p u l a t i o n
i n e a c h re g io n . T h e s e p e r c e n ta g e s — d e r iv e d f r o m t h e
b u i l t- u p r e g io n a l e s t im a t e s b a s e d o n s a m p le d a t a i n th e
U r b a n a n d i n t h e R u r a l- T o w n R e li e f S e rie s — w e r e u s e d
a s a b a s is f o r t h e d iv is io n , b e t w e e n u r b a n a n d r u r a l to w n r e lie f fa m ilie s , o f t h e a m o u n t s o f d i r e c t r e lie f d is 
t r i b u t e d i n e a c h re g io n , a s e s t i m a t e d i n d e p e n d e n tl y
b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t a g e n c ie s a d m in i s t e r in g re lie f.
M o r e e x p lic itl y , d i r e c t r e lie f d i s t r i b u t e d u n d e r th e
g e n e ra l r e lie f p r o g r a m o f t h e F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y R e li e f
A d m i n is tr a t i o n , g e n e r a l r e lie f d i s t r i b u t e d b y t h e S t a t e s
a n d lo c a li tie s f r o m J a n u a r y t h r o u g h J u n e 1 9 3 6 , a n d t h e
i m p u t e d v a lu e o f s u r p lu s c o m m o d itie s 15 w e re d iv id e d
b e tw e e n u r b a n a n d r u r a l - t o w n a r e a s a c c o r d in g t o t h e
p r o p o r t io n s p r e v a ilin g d u r in g 1 9 3 5 -3 6 f o r g e n e r a l r e lie f
in th o s e c o m m u n itie s r e p o r t i n g d a t a t o t h e U r b a n a n d
to t h e R u r a l- T o w n R e li e f S e rie s . S im ila rl y , p u b lic
a s s is ta n c e e x te n d e d t o t h e a g e d , t h e b li n d , a n d d e p e n d 
e n t c h ild r e n w a s d iv i d e d a c c o r d in g t o t h e p r o p o r t io n s
p r e v a ilin g f o r th e s e t y p e s o f a s s is ta n c e i n t h e s a m e
r e p o r ti n g c o m m u n itie s . S in c e n o i n d e p e n d e n t e s t i 
m a t e s w e r e a v a ila b le f o r t h e a m o u n t o f p r i v a t e re lie f
d i s t r i b u t e d , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o u s e t h e e s t im a t e s b u i l t
u p f o r u r b a n a n d r u r a l - t o w n a r e a s f r o m t h e s a m p le
d a t a i n t h e tw o r e lie f s e rie s. E m e r g e n c y g r a n t s m a d e
b y t h e R e s e t t l e m e n t A d m i n i s t r a t i o n w e r e d is t r i b u t e d
o n ly i n r u r a l c o m m u n itie s so t h a t n o b r e a k b y t y p e o f
c o m m u n i t y w a s n e c e s s a r y f o r t h i s t y p e o f re lie f.
T h e fin a l e s t im a t e s o f t h e v a lu e o f d i r e c t r e lie f d is 
t r i b u t e d t o t h e t e n p o p u la t io n g r o u p s — i. e ., t o t h e
u r b a n a n d t o t h e r u r a l - t o w n p o p u la t io n i n e a c h r e g io n —
w e re a s fo llo w s :

Tabl e

6 A .—

E s tim a te d

a m o u n ts

of

d ir e c t

r e lie f

d is tr ib u te d

to

“ u r b a n ” a n d to r u r a l-to w n p o p u la tio n i n fiv e r e g io n s ,1 9 3 5 - 3 6

U rb an

R e g io n

N o r th C e n tr a l____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_

M o u n t a in a n d P l a i n s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

R u r a l-to w n

$ 5 9 ,10 8 ,0 0 0
506 ,14 5 ,0 0 0
36 ,1 85, 000
14, 470, 000
69, 594, 000

$ 4 ,9 9 9 ,0 0 0
107, 725, 000
46, 207, 000
40, 76 8,000
1 4 ,13 4 ,00 0

$685, 502, 000

$213, 833, 000

D iv i s i o n o f D i r e c t R e l i e f B e tw e e n
F a m i li e s a n d S i n g l e I n d i v i d u a l s

I t w a s n e x t n e c e s s a r y t o d iv id e t h e a m o u n t o f d ir e c t
re lie f f o r e a c h o f t h e t e n p o p u la t io n g r o u p s b e tw e e n t h e
fa m ilie s a n d t h e s in g le i n d iv id u a ls t h a t r e c e iv e d re lie f
d u r in g t h e p e r io d . I n t h e a b s e n c e o f a n y sp e c ific i n 
f o r m a t i o n c o n c e r n in g t h i s d iv is io n , a n a r b i t r a r y r a t i o
w a s a d o p te d , b a s e d o n s u c h g e n e r a l i n f o r m a ti o n a s w a s
15
S u r p lu s c o m m o d itie s w e r e d is tr ib u te d th r o u g h e x is tin g r e lief a g e n c ie s d is p e n s i n g
g e n er a l r elie f, s o th a t i t s e e m e d r e a s o n a b le to a s s u m e th a t th e d iv is io n a s b e tw e e n
u r b a n a n d r u r a l-to w n a rea s w o u ld b e s im ila r .

65

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

a v a ila b le c o n c e rn in g t h e r a t i o o f a v e r a g e re lie f b e n e fits
p e r f a m ily t o a v e r a g e re lie f b e n e fi ts p e r s in g le in d iv id u a l.
D u r i n g t h e l a s t h a l f o f 1 935, t h e a v e r a g e m o n th l y
b e n e f it p e r f a m ily c a s e u n d e r t h e g e n e ra l re lie f p r o g r a m
o f t h e F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y R e lie f A d m i n is tr a t i o n w a s
a p p r o x im a t e ly d o u b le t h e a v e r a g e b e n e f it p e r n o n f a m ily
c a s e .16 A c c o rd in g ly , t h e p r o p o r t io n o f d ir e c t re lie f
g o in g to fa m ilie s in e a c h o f t h e t e n p o p u la t io n g ro u p s w a s
d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e fo llo w in g fo rm u la :

w h ere /

e q u a ls t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s re c e iv in g r e lie f a n d i
e q u a ls t h e n u m b e r o f s in g le i n d iv id u a ls re c e iv in g
r e lie f .17
O n t h e b a s is o f t h e p e r c e n ta g e s o b t a in e d b y th is
f o r m u la , d i r e c t r e lie f w a s a ll o c a te d t o f a m ilie s a n d to
s in g le in d i v i d u a l s i n t h e t e n p o p u la t io n g r o u p s a s s h o w n
i n t h e a c c o m p a n y in g t a b le .

Tabl e

7 A .—

E s tim a te d

fa m ilie s a n d

a m o u n ts

of

to s in g le in d iv id u a ls i n

d ir e c t

r e lie f

d is tr ib u te d

“ u rb a n ” a n d in

to

r u r a l-to w n

a r e a s i n fiv e r e g io n s , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

R e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

D i r e c t r elie f
to fa m ilie s

D i r e c t re lief
to s in g le
in d iv id u a ls

N e w E n g la n d :
R u r a l -to w n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______ _
N o r th C e n tr a l:

$5 0 ,66 1 ,0 0 0
4 ,4 6 2 ,0 0 0

$ 8 ,4 4 7 ,00 0
53 7,000

42 4 ,45 3 ,0 0 0
9 5 ,7 4 6 ,0 0 0

8 1 .69 2 .00 0
11 .9 7 9 .00 0

3 0 ,7 5 7 ,00 0
42, 76 9,000

5 .4 2 8 .0 0 0
3 .4 3 8 .0 0 0

1 2 .1 4 5 .00 0
3 2 .4 5 1 .00 0

2 .3 2 4 .0 0 0
8 .3 1 7 .0 0 0

5 3 .1 8 4 .00 0
11 .9 5 3 .00 0

16 ,4 1 0 ,00 0
2 ,1 8 1 ,0 0 0

$758, 582, 000

$140, 753, 000

S o u th :
M o u n t a in a n d P la in s :
P a cific:

A d d it i o n o f D ir e c t R e lie f
t o I n c o m e D i s t r ib u t io n s

T h e e s t i m a t e d a m o u n t s o f d i r e c t r e lie f d i s t r i b u t e d to
f a m ilie s i n t h e tw o t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y i n e a c h r e g io n
w e r e n o w a d d e d t o t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s , e x c lu s iv e
o f d i r e c t re lie f, t h a t h a d b e e n b u i l t u p f r o m t h e s a m p le
d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s c o n t a c t e d i n t h e S t u d y
of C o n su m e r P u rc h a se s.
A s i n d i c a t e d a b o v e , t h e s e s a m p le d i s t r i b u t i o n s h a d
b e e n w e ig h te d a n d c o m b in e d i n t o 10 d i s t r i b u t i o n s r e p r e 
s e n ti n g 2 d e g re e s o f u r b a n i z a t i o n i n e a c h o f t h e 5 r e 
g io n s — i. e ., o n e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r r e lie f f a m ilie s liv in g o n
f a r m s , i n r u r a l - n o n f a r m a r e a s , a n d i n s m a ll c itie s , a n d
a s e c o n d d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r f a m ilie s i n m id d le -s iz e d c itie s ,
i n l a r g e c itie s , a n d i n m e tro p o lis e s .
T h e m e t h o d s u s e d i n a d d i n g t h e v a l u e o f d i r e c t re lie f
t o th e s e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e r e n e c e s s a r ily c ru d e ,
a n d i n v o lv e d v a r io u s a r b i t r a r y a s s u m p ti o n s b a s e d u p o n
v e r y f r a g m e n t a r y e v id e n c e f r o m a v a ila b le r e lie f s tu d ie s .
16 B a s e d o n m o n t h l y d a ta o n c a s e-lo a d s a n d o b lig a tio n s in c u r r e d for r e lie f a s r ep o r te d

to t h e F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y R e li e f A d m in i s tr a t io n , D i v is i o n o f R e s ea r ch , S ta tis tic s
a n d F in a n c e .
17 F o r m e th o d o f d e te r m in in g n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a n d n u m b e r o f s in g le in d i v id u a ls
t h a t r e c e iv e d r elie f, s e e p p . 73 -74.

W i t h o u t a t t e m p t i n g a d e t a il e d d is c u s s io n o f t h e r e a s o n s
f o r a c c e p ti n g t h e p a r t i c u l a r a s s u m p tio n s u s e d , i t is p o s s i
b le t o s u m m a r iz e b rie f ly t h e s t e p s t a k e n , a s fo llo w s :
(1 ) R e li e f f a m ilie s i n e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w ith in
a r e g io n w e re d iv id e d i n t o tw o g ro u p s — th o s e t h a t
re c e iv e d w o r k r e lie f o n ly , w i t h n o d i r e c t r e lie f d u r in g
t h e s c h e d u le y e a r , a n d th o s e t h a t re c e iv e d s o m e d i r e c t
re lie f. T h e s e c o n d g r o u p w a s a s s u m e d t o in c l u d e 60
p e r c e n t o f t h e r e lie f f a m ilie s a n d — in t h e a b s e n c e o f a n y
sp e c ific e v id e n c e a s t o h o w t h i s p e r c e n ta g e m i g h t v a r y
a t d if f e r e n t in c o m e le v e ls — 60 p e r c e n t o f t h e re lie f
f a m ilie s a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l. T h e lo w e r in c o m e le v e ls
w o u ld p r e s u m a b l y c o n t a i n m a n y o f t h e u n e m p lo y a b le
r e lie f c a s e s , la r g e ly d e p e n d e n t u p o n d i r e c t re lie f , w h ile
t h e u p p e r in c o m e le v e ls w o u ld i n c lu d e l a r g e fa m ilie s
w h ic h w e r e g iv e n d i r e c t r e lie f a t s o m e t i m e d u r i n g t h e
y e a r t o s u p p l e m e n t o c c a s io n a l p r i v a t e e a r n i n g s o r w o r k
r e lie f w a g e s .
(2 ) E a c h o f t h e 10 in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s w a s t h e n
s p l i t i n t o 2 f r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s b y d iv id in g t h e
n u m b e r o f re lie f fa m ilie s a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l i n t h e
p r o p o r t io n s o f 4 0 a n d 60.
(3 ) T h e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r fa m ilie s a s s u m e d t o h a v e
r e c e iv e d s o m e d i r e c t re lie f w e re t h e n c o r r e c te d b y
a d d in g t o t h e in c o m e s o f fa m ilie s i n e a c h in c o m e i n t e r v a l
a n e s t im a t e d a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f d i r e c t re lie f, w h ic h
w o u ld i n t h e a g g r e g a te e q u a l t h e e s t i m a t e d t o t a l a m o u n t
o f d i r e c t r e lie f d is t r i b u t e d t o a ll fa m ilie s i n t h e g r o u p
r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e d is t r i b u t i o n . T h e a v e r a g e a m o u n t
o f d i r e c t r e lie f p e r f a m ily f o r a ll fa m ilie s i n t h e g r o u p
w as firs t d e te rm in e d fo r u r b a n a n d ru ra l-to w n a re a s
w ith in e a c h re g io n , b y d iv id in g t h e e s t im a t e d t o t a l
a m o u n t o f d i r e c t r e lie f d i s t r i b u t e d b y t h e t o t a l n u m b e r
o f d ir e c t- r e lie f fa m ilie s i n t h e d is t r i b u t i o n .
I t w a s a s s u m e d t h a t t h e a m o u n t o f d i r e c t re lie f p e r
fa m ily w o u ld v a r y b y in c o m e le v e l, a n d t h a t fa m ilie s
w it h r e l a t i v e l y lo w in c o m e s e x c lu s iv e o f d i r e c t re lie f
w o u ld re c e iv e m o r e t h a n t h e a v e r a g e f o r t h e g r o u p a s a
w h o le w h ile th o s e w i t h r e l a t i v e l y h ig h in c o m e s w o u ld
r e c e iv e le s s . I t w a s d e c id e d , th e r e f o r e , t o v a r y t h e
a m o u n t s o f d ir e c t r e lie f p e r fa m ily f r o m a p p r o x im a t e ly
150 p e r c e n t o f t h e a v e r a g e a t t h e lo w e r in c o m e le v e ls
t o a p p r o x im a t e ly 7 5 p e r c e n t o f t h e a v e r a g e a t t h e
h ig h e r in c o m e le v e ls i n t h e r e lie f d i s t r i b u t i o n .
T h e o ri g in a l in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r d ir e c t- r e lie f
fa m ilie s w e re t h e n s h if te d u p w a r d b y a d d in g t o t h e
c la s s l im it s o f e a c h $ 1 0 0 i n t e r v a l t h e a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f
d ir e c t r e lie f a s s ig n e d t o fa m ilie s i n t h a t i n t e r v a l . F o r
e x a m p le , i n N o r t h C e n t r a l r u r a l - t o w n c o m m u n itie s ,
fa m ilie s t h a t h a d b e e n i n t h e in c o m e i n t e r v a l , $ 1 0 0 to
$ 2 0 0 , w e re s h if te d t o a n e w in c o m e i n t e r v a l o f $ 3 0 0 to
$ 4 0 0 , w h ile th o s e i n in c o m e i n t e r v a l $ 8 0 0 t o $ 9 0 0 w e re
m o v e d u p w a r d t o a n in c o m e i n t e r v a l o f $ 9 2 5 t o $ 1 ,0 2 5 .
(4 ) T h e n e x t s t e p i n t h e p ro c e s s w a s t o t r a n s f o r m
t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s i n t o $ 2 5 0

66
in c o m e i n t e r v a l s , i n o r d e r to p la c e t h e m o n t h e s a m e
b a s is a s t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s . T h is
tra n s fo r m a tio n w as n e c e ssa ry b o th fo r th e n e w d is trit io n s f o r d ir e c t- r e lie f fa m ilie s a n d f o r t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s
f o r t h e 4 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e r e lie f fa m ilie s t h a t w e r e a s 
s u m e d n o t t o h a v e r e c e iv e d a n y d i r e c t re lie f.
F o r t h e l a t t e r g ro u p s i t w a s p o s s ib le to p l o t t h e
o ri g in a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s a s c u m u l a ti v e c u r v e s a n d r e a d off
t h e f r e q u e n c ie s in t h e $ 2 5 0 in c o m e i n t e r v a l s . T h e
n e w d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r d ir e c t- r e lie f fa m ilie s w e r e n o t
p l o t t e d i n t h i s fa s h io n , b e c a u s e t h e a d d i t i o n o f v a r y i n g
a m o u n t s o f d i r e c t r e lie f h a d c a u s e d s o m e o v e r la p p in g
i n t h e c la s s i n t e r v a l s . W h e n a c la s s i n t e r v a l in c lu d e d
p a r t s o f tw o $ 2 5 0 i n t e r v a l s i t w a s a s s u m e d t h a t t h e
fa m ilie s w e r e e v e n ly d i s t r i b u t e d w it h i n t h e i n t e r v a l
a n d t h e fr e q u e n c ie s w e re d i s t r i b u t e d o n a p r o p o r t io n a l
b a s is .
T h e e s t im a t e d v a lu e o f d i r e c t r e lie f a d d e d t o th e
in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s a m o u n t e d to
le s s t h a n 2 3 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f r e 
lie f f a m ilie s f r o m a ll s o u r c e s . T h e p r o p o r t io n o f d ir e c t
r e lie f t o t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f r e lie f f a m ilie s v a r ie d
a m o n g re g io n s , a s fo llo w s : N e w E n g l a n d , 19 p e r c e n t ;
N o r t h C e n t r a l , 3 0 p e r c e n t ; S o u th , 9 p e r c e n t ; M o u n t a i n
a n d P la in s , 17 p e r c e n t ; a n d P a c ific , 27 p e r c e n t.
C o m b in i n g D i s t r ib u tio n s f o r R e li e f
a n d N o n r e l i e f F a m ilie s

W i t h t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s s h if te d to
$ 2 5 0 c la s s i n t e r v a l s , i t w a s p o s s ib le t o c o m b in e t h e m

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

w i t h t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s b y a d d in g
t h e fr e q u e n c ie s a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l. T h e f i r s t s t e p
in t h i s p r o c e d u r e w a s t o m e r g e t h e u r b a n a n d t h e
r u r a l - t o w n r e lie f d is t r i b u t i o n s i n e a c h re g io n , s in c e t h i s
t y p e - o f - c o m m u n ity d iv is io n w a s n o t c o n s id e r e d o f
s u ffic ie n t i n t e r e s t t o j u s t i f y i t s r e t e n t i o n i n t h e fin a l
fig u re s p r e s e n t e d in t h e r e p o r t. T h e r e s u l ti n g r e lie f
d i s t r i b u t i o n fo r e a c li r e g io n w a s t h e n c o m b in e d w ith
t h e n o n r e lie f d i s t r i b u t i o n , t o g iv e a s in g le d i s t r i b u t i o n
f o r a ll f a m ilie s in e a c h re g io n .
T h e s e fiv e re g io n a l d is t r i b u t i o n s — a n d t h e n a t i o n a .
d i s t r i b u t i o n d e r iv e d f r o m t h e m — w e re t h e n a d j u s t e d ,
o n t h e b a s is o f F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s , to a llo w
fo r u n d e r r e p r e s e n t a ti o n o f fa m ilie s a t t h e h ig h e r
in c o m e le v e ls . T h e m e t h o d s o f m a k in g t h i s a d j u s t 
m e n t a r e d e s c r ib e d i n a l a t e r s e c ti o n o f t h i s a p p e n d ix .
A s in d i c a t e d a b o v e , t h e s a m p le d a t a f o r r e lie f
fa m ilie s f r o m t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s S t u d y w e r e n o t
a v a ila b le b y o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p o r b y f a m ily siz e a t
t h e tim e t h i s r e p o r t w a s p r e p a r e d . E v e n i f t h e y h a d
b e e n a v a ila b le , i t w o u ld h a v e b e e n d iffic u lt, if n o t i m 
p o s s ib le , t o fin d a s a t i s f a c t o r y b a s is fo r d iv id in g t h e
a m o u n t o f d ir e c t r e lie f a m o n g t h e fa m ilie s o f f o u r s iz e s
a n d a m o n g t h e v a r io u s o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s , a n d fo r
a d d in g t h i s d ir e c t r e lie f in c o m e t o t h e in c o m e fr o m o t h e r
s o u r c e s in c lu d e d i n t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s S t u d y
d a t a . B e c a u s e o f th e s e l im it a ti o n s in t h e a v a ila b le
d a t a , i t w a s n o t p o s s ib le t o in c lu d e r e lie f f a m ilie s w i t h
n o n re lie f fa m ilie s in p r e s e n t i n g in c o m e e s t im a t e s b y
f a m ily siz e a n d b y o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p .

SECTION 5. THE SAMPLE DISTRIBUTIONS FOR SINGLE INDIVIDUALS

T h e 10 m illio n “ s in g le ” o r u n a t t a c h e d m e n a n d
w o m e n c o m p r is e a lm o s t 8 p e r c e n t o f t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6 p o p u 
la t i o n . T h e y in c lu d e t h e s in g le p e r s o n h o u s e h o ld —
i. e ., t h e c e n s u s o n e -p e rs o n fa m ily — lo d g e r s a n d s e r v a n t s
liv in g w i t h fa m ilie s , a n d s in g le p e r s o n s liv in g i n h o te ls ,
b o a r d in g a n d lo d g in g h o u s e s , o r i n s im ila r q u a s i- f a m il y
g r o u p s . I n a d d i ti o n , t h e r e a r e in c lu d e d th o s e s o n s
a n d d a u g h t e r s w h o w e r e liv in g w i t h t h e i r f a m ilie s b u t
w h o m a i n t a i n e d a s e p a r a t e e c o n o m ic s t a t u s , i n t h a t
t h e y d id n o t p o o l t h e i r in c o m e w it h t h a t o f t h e f a m i l y .1
F o r r e a s o n s i n d i c a t e d i n P a r t I , t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l g ro u p s
in th e p o p u la tio n h a v e b e e n tr e a te d a s a s e p a ra te ty p e
o f c o n s u m e r u n i t a n d u n a t t a c h e d i n d iv id u a ls b e lo n g in g
t o s u c h g r o u p s h a v e n o t b e e n in c lu d e d i n t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n
f o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s .12
N o l a r g e b o d y o f s a m p le d a t a o n t h e in c o m e s o f
s in g le in d i v i d u a l s s im ila r t o t h a t f o r fa m ilie s w a s a v a i l 
a b le f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . T h e
p a u c i t y o f in c o m e d a t a f o r t h i s g r o u p f r o m o t h e r
s o u r c e s w a s lik e w is e v e r y g r e a t . H e n c e i n b u ild in g u p
t h e e s t i m a t e d in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n fo r s in g le in d iv id u a ls ,
i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o r e l y o n a n u m b e r o f d if f e r e n t t y p e s
o f s a m p le m a t e r ia l , u s in g o n e a s a c h e c k a g a i n s t t h e
o th e r . T h e fin a l d is t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s is
c o n s id e r e d s u b j e c t t o g r e a t e r e r r o r t h a n t h a t f o r fa m ilie s ,
a n d s h o u ld b e r e g a r d e d a s a r o u g h a p p r o x im a t i o n to t h e
s i t u a t i o n i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
T y p e s o f D a t a A v a i l a b l e fo r
E s t im a t in g I n c o m e D i s t r ib u tio n s

T h e in c o m e d a t a f o r s in g le i n d iv id u a ls c o lle c te d in
t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s p e r ta i n e d , fo r th e
m o s t p a r t , t o o n e -p e rs o n fa m ilie s . A s p e c ia l s a m p le o f
s in g le i n d iv id u a ls w a s t a k e n i n f o u r c it ie s — C h ic a g o ,
C o lu m b u s , P r o v id e n c e , a n d P o r t l a n d — b u t t h e n u m b e r
o f s c h e d u le s c o lle c te d w a s s m a ll, a m o u n t in g t o a p p r o x i
m a t e l y 2 ,5 0 0 . S in g le in d i v i d u a l s w e r e in c lu d e d i n t h e
c li p p e d s a m p le s i n a n u m b e r o f o t h e r c o m m u n itie s ;
1 I n 1930, t h e o n e -p e rs o n fa m ilie s n u m b e r e d 2.4 m i llio n , t h e lo d g e rs a n d s e r v a n ts
5 .8 m illio n , a n d th e s in g le in d i v id u a ls in q u a s i-fa m ily g r o u p s 1.2 m illio n . T h e
n u m b e r o f in d e p e n d e n t s o n s a n d d a u g h te rs w a s e s t im a te d in th i s s t u d y to h a v e
b e e n 400,000 in 1935-36. F o r m e th o d s o f o b t a in in g t h e p o p u la tio n w e ig h ts for s in g le
i n d i v id u a ls , s e e A p p e n d ix A , s ec . 6.
2 S e e p . 5, a n d A p p e n d ix A , sec . 9.

th e s e d a t a w e r e to o s c a n t y t o b e u s e fu l. A n a d d i ti o n a l
s a m p le o f s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n liv in g i n lo d g in g h o u s e s
a n d h o te ls w a s t a k e n i n C h ic a g o , b u t i n o t h e r c it ie s t h e
s a m p le s w e re p r e d o m i n a n t l y f o r i n d iv id u a ls m a i n t a i n i n g
t h e i r o w n h o u s e h o ld s .
T h is b o d y o f s a m p le d a t a th e r e f o r e c o u ld n o t b e u s e d
t o r e p r e s e n t t h e p a t t e r n o f in c o m e s o f a ll s in g le i n d i v i d 
u a ls , b e c a u s e a d i s t r i b u t i o n o f lo d g e r s a n d s e r v a n t s b y
in c o m e le v e l w o u ld p r o b a b l y b e lo w e r t h a n t h a t f o r o n e p e r s o n fa m ilie s , a n d b e c a u s e t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r o n e p e r s o n fa m ilie s w o u ld b e t o o h e a v ily w e ig h te d b y
w o m e n . T h e s a m e o b je c t i o n a p p lie d t o t h e in c o m e
d a t a f o r s in g le i n d iv id u a ls c o lle c te d i n t h e N a t i o n a l
H e a l t h S u r v e y . I t w a s th e r e f o r e d e c id e d n o t t o c o n 
s t r u c t t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n o f s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s o n
t h e b a s is o f t h e s a m p le d a t a f r o m t h e tw o s tu d ie s , b u t
t o u s e th e s e d a t a a s a c h e c k a g a i n s t d i s t r i b u t i o n s fo r
s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n d e r iv e d f r o m o t h e r s o u r c e s .
I n e s t im a t i n g t h e d is t r i b u t i o n b y in c o m e le v e l o f
s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n w h o h a d n o t re c e iv e d a n y r e lie f
a t a n y tim e d u r in g t h e y e a r , s ix t y p e s o f m a t e r i a l w e r e
used:
1. S t u d ie s o f t h e e a r n in g s o f w o m e n .
2 . S t u d ie s o f t h e r e l a t i v e s iz e o f t h e e a r n in g s o f
w om en.

m en

and

3 . D a t a o n in c o m e s o f s in g le in d iv i d u a ls fr o m t h e S t u d y o f
C o n su m e r P u rch a ses.
4. D a t a o n in c o m e s o f s in g le in d iv i d u a ls fr o m t h e N a t i o n a l
H e a lth S u rv ey .
5 . D a t a o n t h e in c o m e s o f t w o - p e r s o n f a m i li e s fr o m t h e
S tu d y o f C o n s u m e r P u rc h a ses , a n d t h e d is tr ib u tio n b y in c o m e
l e v e l o f t w o -p e r s o n f a m ili e s p r e s e n te d i n t h i s r e p o r t.
6 . F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x d a ta .

I t w a s n o t p o s s ib le , b e c a u s e o f t h e la c k o f a d e q u a t e
i n f o r m a ti o n , t o e s t i m a t e s e p a r a t e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r e a c h
t y p e o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l — e. g ., o n e - p e r s o n fa m ilie s ,
lo d g e r s , s e r v a n t s . N e i t h e r w a s i t f e a s ib le t o b u i l d u p
s e p a r a t e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s o f v a r io u s
c o l o r - n a ti v it y g r o u p s o r f o r s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s l iv in g in
d if f e r e n t t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y a n d re g io n s , a s w a s d o n e
f o r fa m ilie s . T h e a v a ila b le d a t a p e r m i t t e d t h e c o n 
s t r u c t i o n o f o n ly s e v e n c o m p o n e n t d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r
n o n r e lie f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s — s in g le m e n i n e a c h o f f o u r
67

68
o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s , a n d s in g le w o m e n i n e a c h o f t h r e e
o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s . I n a d d i ti o n , tw o d is t r i b u t i o n s
w e re p r e p a r e d f o r th o s e s in g le in d i v i d u a l s w h o h a d r e 
c e iv e d s o m e f o r m o f d ir e c t o r w o r k re lie f d u r in g t h e
y e a r — o n e f o r s in g le m e n a n d o n e f o r s in g le w o m e n .
D is t r ib u t io n s fo r N o n r e l i e f
S in g le W o m e n

T h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n re lie f s in g le w o m e n
w e re c o n s t r u c te d , i n t h e f ir s t i n s ta n c e , o n t h e b a s is o f
e a r n in g s d a t a o b t a in e d f r o m v a r io u s s a m p le s t u d ie s .
T w e lv e o f t h e e a r n in g s s t u d i e s w e re c o n d u c te d b y t h e
W o m e n ’s B u r e a u o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f
L a b o r, a n d o n e b y th e U n ite d S ta te s E m p lo y m e n t
S e rv ic e . T h e l i s t o f s t u d i e s u s e d is a s fo llo w s :
U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r , W o m e n ’s B u r e a u
B u l l e ti n s .3
N o . 92. W a g e -E a rn in g W o m e n a n d I n d u s tr ia l C o n 
d it i o n s o f 1 930 in S o u th B e n d ( I n d i a n a ) ,
1932.
N o . 117. T h e A g e F a c t o r a s i t R e l a t e s to W o m e n in
B u s in e s s a n d t h e P ro f e s s io n s , 1934.
N o . 120. T h e E m p l o y m e n t o f W o m e n i n O ffices, 1934.
N o . 124. W o m e n i n A r k a n s a s I n d u s t r i e s , 1936.
N o . 125. E m p l o y m e n t C o n d itio n s in D e p a r t m e n t
S to r e s in 1 9 3 2 -3 3 , 1936.
N o . 126. W o m e n i n T e x a s I n d u s t r i e s , 1935.
N o . 127. H o u r s a n d E a r n in g s in T o b a c c o S te m m e rie s , 1934.
N o . 132. W o m e n W h o W o r k in O ffices, 1935.
N o . 133. E m p l o y m e n t C o n d itio n s i n B e a u t y S h o p s ,
1935.
N o . 143. F a c t o r s A ffe c tin g W a g e s in P o w e r L a u n 
d rie s , 1936.
N o . 149. E m p l o y m e n t o f W o m e n i n T e n n e s s e e I n 
d u s t r i e s , 1 937.
N o . 150. W o m e n ’s E m p l o y m e n t in W e s t V ir g in ia ,
1937.
U n i t e d S t a t e s E m p l o y m e n t S e rv ic e , S p e c ia l Q u e s tio n 
n a i r e S u r v e y o f P u b lic E m p l o y m e n t O ffices, 1937.
T h e s e p a r t i c u l a r s t u d i e s w e re s e le c te d f r o m a m u c h
l a r g e r b o d y o f s a m p le m a t e r i a l b e c a u s e t h e y c o n ta in e d
3
T h e a p p r o x im a te n u m b e r o f c a s es u s e d fr o m e a c h o f th e s tu d i e s , a n d th e g e og r ap h ic
a r ea a n d d a t e c o v e re d w e r e a s fo llo w s:

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

i n f o r m a ti o n a p p r o p r i a t e f o r t h e c o n s t r u c ti o n o f fr e 
q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s b y in c o m e le v e l, a n d b e c a u s e t h e y
w e re c o m p a r a t iv e l y r e c e n t.
S ix o f t h e s tu d ie s w e re
c o n d u c te d i n t h e y e a r s 1 934, 1 93 5 , o r 1 9 3 6 ; a ll o f th e
s tu d ie s w e r e c o n d u c te d a f t e r t h e o n s e t o f t h e d e p r e s 
s io n i n 1929. I n c o n s t r u c ti n g t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s i t w a s
p o s s ib le , i n m a n y c a s e s , t o s u p p l e m e n t t h e p u b lis h e d
d a t a w i t h m o r e d e t a il e d t a b u l a t i o n s f r o m t h e w o r k
s h e e ts f o r t h e v a r io u s s t u d i e s w h ic h w e r e m a d e a v a il
a b le b y t h e W o m e n ’s B u r e a u .
F r o m t h e 13 s t u d i e s lis te d , t h e r e w e r e d e r iv e d 33
f r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s , b y in c o m e le v e l, f o r s in g le
w o m e n i n 3 o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s — w a g e -e a r n in g , c le ri
c a l, a n d b u s i n e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l. T h i r t e e n o f th e s e
d is t r i b u t i o n s w e re f o r w a g e -e a r n in g w o m e n ,4 19 fo r
w o m e n i n c le ri c a l o c c u p a tio n s ,56 a n d 1 f o r w o m e n in
b u s in e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l g r o u p s .0
S in c e th e s e e a r n in g s d a t a w e re e it h e r o n a w e e k ly o r a
m o n th l y b a s is i t w a s n e c e s s a r y , a s a f i r s t s t e p , t o e x p a n d
t h e m i n t o a n n u a l e a rn in g s . O n t h e b a s is o f i n f o r m a 
t i o n o b t a in e d f o r tw o - p e r s o n f a m ilie s i n t h e S t u d y o f
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , i t w a s a s s u m e d t h a t t h e a v e ra g e
n u m b e r o f w e e k s o f e m p lo y m e n t w a s 5 0. T h o u g h i t
w a s re c o g n iz e d t h a t t h i s fig u r e w a s p r o b a b ly h ig h , i t
w a s d e e m e d b e s t t o e r r i n t h i s d ir e c t io n b e c a u s e o f t h e
d o w n w a r d b ia s in t r o d u c e d b y t h e u s e o f e a rn in g s
i n s t e a d o f in c o m e d a t a .
T h e w e e k ly e a r n in g s d a t a w e re m u l ti p li e d b y 5 0 , a n d
c u m u la tiv e c u r v e s w e re p l o t t e d fo r t h e r e s u l ti n g f r e 
q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s . T h e fr e q u e n c ie s w e re r e a d o ff
f o r t h e s a m e $ 2 5 0 i n t e r v a l s u s e d f o r t h e fa m ily d i s t r i 
b u tio n s , e x c e p t t h a t t h e h ig h e s t i n t e r v a l w a s fo r
$ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r. A p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n w a s c a l
c u l a te d f o r e a c h o f t h e 33 d is t r i b u t i o n s .
T h e 13 p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r w a g e - e a r n in g
w o m e n w e r e t h e n a v e r a g e d , b y in c o m e le v e l, w i t h e a c h
d i s t r i b u t i o n g iv e n a n e q u a l w e ig h t. T h e s a m e p r o 
c e d u r e w a s fo llo w e d f o r t h e 19 d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r c le r ic a l
w o m e n . B e c a u se o f th e h e te ro g e n e ity o f th e d a ta , its
s c a t t e r e d g e o g ra p h ic c h a r a c t e r , a n d t h e d iffe re n c e s in
s a m p le c o v e ra g e , a n y p a r t i c u l a r s c h e m e o f w e ig h tin g
w o u ld h a v e b e e n a s a r b i t r a r y a s t h e s t r a i g h t a v e ra g e s ,
a n d w o u ld h a v e i n s u r e d n o b e t t e r r e s u lts .

c a s es , A r k a n s a s , 1932 a n d 1933; N o . 125, 6,900 c a s es , 10 c itie s i n N e w J e rs ey , L i ttl e
R o c k a n d F o r t S m it h , A r k ., D e n v e r , C o lo ., L o s A n g e le s , C a lif., S a n F r a n c is c o a n d
O a k la n d , C a lif., S e a ttl e , W a s h . , 1932 a n d 1933; N o . 126, 11,000 c a s es , T e x a s , 1932;
N o . 127, 5,000 c a s e s , V ir g in ia a n d N o r th C a r olin a , 1934; N o . 13 2,5,000 c a s es , N e w Y o r k ,

T h e r e s u l ti n g d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r t h e t h r e e o c c u p a tio n a l
g r o u p s w e r e s m o o th e d a n d w e r e t h e n w e ig h te d b y t h e
t o t a l n u m b e r o f s in g le w o m e n i n e a c h o f t h e o c c u p a 
t io n a l g r o u p s i n 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 .7 T h e w e ig h te d fr e q u e n c y
d is t r i b u t i o n s w e r e t h e n a d d e d t o g e t h e r b y in c o m e le v e l
to o b t a i n a p r e li m i n a r y d i s t r i b u t i o n fo r a ll s in g le w o m e n .

N . Y . , P h il a d e lp h ia , P a ., A t la n t a , G a ., C h ica g o , 111., D e s M o i n e s , I o w a , S t. L o u is ,
M o ., 1930 a n d 1931; N o . 133, 1,300 c a s e s , P h ila d e lp h ia , P a ., N e w O rlea n s, L a ., S t.
L o u is , M o ., C o lu m b u s , O h io , 1933 a n d 1934; N o . 143, 3,000 ca s es , C h ica g o , 111., W a s h 
in g t o n , D . C ., 1934; N o . 149, 24,000 ca s es , T e n n e s s e e , 1935; N o . 150, 13,000 c a s es , W e s t

4 W o m e n ’s B u r e a u , U . S . D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r , B u lle t in s 92, 124, 126, 127, 133, 143,
149, 150. U . S . E m p l o y m e n t S e r v ice , S p e cia l Q u e s tio n n a ir e S u r v e y o f P u b li c E m 
p l o y m e n t O ffices.

B u ll e t i n N o . 92 , 2,500 c a s es , S o u th B e n d , I n d ., 1930; N o . 117,16,00 0 c a s es , m e m b e r s
o f t h e N a t io n a l F e d e r a tio n o f B u s in e s s a n d P ro fe s s io n a l W o m e n ’s C lu b s , 1930; N o .
120, 42,000 c a s e s , N e w Y o r k , N . Y ., H a r tfo r d , C o n n ., P h il a d e lp h ia , P a ., A tla n ta ,
G a ., C h ic a g o , H I., D e s M o in e s , I o w a , S t. L o u is , M o ., 1931 a n d 1932; N o . 124, 3,000

V ir g in ia , 1936; U . S . E m p l o y m e n t S e rv ice , S p e cia l Q u e s tio n n a ir e S u r v e y o f P u b li c
E m p l o y m e n t O ffice s , s t u d y o f p r e v a ilin g w e e k l y w a g e r a te s o f d o m e s t ic w o r k e rs in
th e U n i te d S t a te s , m a d e i n 1937 for t h e N a t io n a l I n c o m e S e c tio n , D e p a r tm e n t o f
C o m m e rc e.

6 W o m e n ’s B u r e a u , U . S . D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r , B u lle t in s 117, 120, 124, 125, 126*
132, 149, 150.
6 W o m e n ’s B u r e a u , U . S . D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r , B u ll e ti n 117.
7 F o r m e th o d o f o b ta in in g th e s e p o p u la tio n w e ig h ts , s ee p . 79.

C o n su m e r In c o m e s
D i s t r ib u t io n s fo r N o n r e l i e f S i n g l e M e n

P r e li m i n a r y d i s t r i b u t i o n s fo r s in g le m e n i n w a g e 
e a r n in g , c le ric a l, a n d b u s in e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l g ro u p s
w e re d e r iv e d , in t h e f i r s t in s t a n c e , b y a d j u s t i n g t h e
s m o o th e d d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le w o m e n i n th e s e s a m e
o c c u p a t io n a l g ro u p s o n t h e b a s is o f r e l a t i o n s h i p s f o u n d
t o e x is t b e tw e e n t h e e a r n in g s o f w o m e n a n d m e n .
S u c h a p ro c e d u re w a s n e c e s s ita te d b y th e la c k o f
s e p a r a t e s a m p le e a r n i n g s d a t a f o r s in g le m e n .
O n t h e b a s is o f v a r io u s s tu d ie s , t h e fo llo w in g g e n e ra l
r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e tw e e n t h e e a r n in g s o f m e n a n d w o m e n
w e re a s s u m e d to e x is t:8
1. E a r n in g s o f w o m e n in t h e w a g e - e a r n in g g r o u p e q u a l to
a p p r o x im a t e l y 6 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e e a r n in g s o f m e n in t h a t g r o u p ;
2 . E a r n in g s o f w o m e n in t h e c l e r ic a l g r o u p e q u a l t o a p p r o x i
m a t e l y 7 5 p e r c e n t o f t h e e a r n in g s o f m e n i n t h a t g r o u p ;
3 . E a r n in g s o f w o m e n in t h e b u s in e s s a n d p r o f e s s io n a l g r o u p s
e q u a l t o a p p r o x im a t e ly 9 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e e a r n in g s o f m e n in
th o s e group s.

T h e s e r e l a t i o n s h i p s w e re u s e d t o c o n s t r u c t th r e e
in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n c u r v e s f o r m e n , w h ic h w e re s im ila r
t o t h o s e f o r w o m e n e x c e p t t h a t t h e y w e re s h if te d
s l i g h tl y t o t h e h ig h e r in c o m e le v e ls .9 T h e c u r v e s fo r
m e n i n e a c h o f t h e t h r e e o c c u p a t io n a l g r o u p s w e re
s m o o th e d a n d t h e p e r c e n t w a s r e a d o ff f o r e a c h o f t h e
u s u a l in c o m e i n t e r v a l s , t h e h ig h e s t i n t e r v a l a g a in b e in g
$ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r.
T h e e s t i m a t e d n u m b e r s o f s in g le m e n in t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6
p o p u l a t i o n b e lo n g in g to t h e w a g e -e a r n in g , t h e c le ric a l,
a n d t h e b u s in e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l g r o u p s w e re t h e n
d i s t r i b u t e d b y in c o m e le v e l a c c o r d in g t o t h e a p p r o p r i a t e
p e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s . 10*
S in g le m e n w h o b e lo n g e d i n t h e f a r m in g g r o u p w e re
d i s t r i b u t e d b y in c o m e le v e l o n t h e b a s is o f t h e p e r 
c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r tw o - p e r s o n f a r m f a m ilie s f r o m
t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . T h e w e ig h te d
d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r t h e f a r m g r o u p w a s t h e n a d d e d t o th o s e
f o r s in g le m e n i n t h e o t h e r o c c u p a t io n a l g r o u p s t o o b t a i n
o n e d i s t r i b u t i o n b y in c o m e le v e l f o r a ll s in g le m e n .
A d j u s t m e n t o f N o n r e l i e f D is t r ib u t io n s

T h e e a r n in g s d a t a , u p o n w h ic h th e p r e li m i n a r y
d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le i n d iv id u a ls w e re b a s e d , w e re
d e f ic ie n t i n s e v e r a l r e s p e c ts , a n d i t w a s t h e r e f o r e e s s e n 
t i a l t h a t t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s b e c h e c k e d a g a i n s t d a t a
f r o m o t h e r s o u r c e s . I t w a s n e c e s s a ry , e s p e c ia lly fo r
t h e h ig h e r in c o m e le v e ls , to c o r r e c t t h e e a r n in g s
d i s t r i b u t i o n s so t h a t t h e y w o u ld r e p r e s e n t in c o m e fr o m
a ll s o u r c e s . C o m p a r is o n s w i t h o t h e r a v a ila b le d a t a
w e r e a ls o n e e d e d b e c a u s e t h e s a m p le s t u d i e s t h a t w e re
8 B u l l e t i n 152, D iffe r e n c e s i n th e E a r n in g s o f W o m e n a n d M e n , U . S . D e p a r tm e n t
o f L a b o r , W o m e n ’s B u r e a u , 1938; s e e a ls o th e o th e r s tu d ie s o f t h e W o m e n ’s B u r e a u
lis te d a b o v e .
9 F o r e x a m p le , i f 10 p e r c e n t o f s in g le w o m e n in th e cler ica l g r o u p r e c e iv e d le s s th a n
$500 d u r in g t h e y e a r , t h e s a m e p e r c e n t o f s in g le m e n in t h i s g r ou p w e re a s s u m e d to
h a v e r e c e iv e d l e s s th a n $666 d u r in g th e y e a r .
19 F o r m e th o d o f o b ta in i n g th e s e p o p u la tio n w e ig h ts , s ee p . 79.

69
u s e d in c lu d e d d a t a f o r w o m e n w h o w e re m e m b e r s o f
e c o n o m ic fa m ilie s , a s w e ll a s f o r w o m e n w h o w e re n o t
liv in g i n f a m ily g ro u p s .
T h e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le
m e n , i n p a r t i c u l a r , r e q u i r e d c a re fu l c h e c k in g b e c a u s e o f
t h e a r b i t r a r y a s s u m p tio n s in v o lv e d i n i t s c o n s t r u c ti o n .

Adjustment on the Basis of
Two-Person Family Distribution
T h e p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r a ll s in g le m e n w a s
fi r s t c o m p a r e d w it h t h a t f o r tw o - p e r s o n fa m ilie s i n t h e
U n i t e d S ta t e s . T h e tw o c u r v e s s h o w e d m a r k e d s im i
l a r it i e s a lt h o u g h , a s w a s to b e e x p e c te d , t h e d i s t r i b u 
tio n fo r s in g le m e n s h o w e d a g r e a t e r c o n c e n t r a t io n in
t h e lo w e r in c o m e le v e ls . O n t h e b a s is o f t h i s c o m p a r i
s o n t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le m e n w a s s m o o th e d a n d
a lte r e d s lig h tl y .

Correction by Income Tax Data
A s i n t h e c a s e o f fa m ilie s , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o c o r r e c t
t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s b e c a u s e
o f u n d e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n a t t h e h ig h e r in c o m e i n t e r v a l s .
F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x d a t a f o r 1 9 3 5 , a d j u s t e d b y m e t h o d s
d e s c r ib e d b e lo w ,11 w e r e u s e d t o o b t a i n s e p a r a t e d is 
t r i b u t i o n s b y in c o m e le v e l f o r s in g le m e n a n d f o r s in g le
w o m e n i n t h e in c o m e c la s s e s a b o v e $ 3 ,0 0 0 .
T h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le m e n a n d s in g le w o m e n
w e r e f i r s t c o r r e c te d b y a d d in g a t t h e in c o m e c la s s $ 5 ,0 0 0
a n d o v e r t h e a d d i ti o n a l n u m b e r o f c a s e s s h o w n b y t h e
in c o m e t a x d a t a t o h a v e b e lo n g e d i n t h i s c la s s .11 T h e
d a t a a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0 w e r e c la ss ifie d i n t o t h e 13 in c o m e
i n t e r v a l s s h o w n i n t a b l e 15.
T h e in c o m e t a x d a t a w e r e le s s r e lia b le f o r t h e in c o m e
c la s s e s b e tw e e n $ 3 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 5 ,0 0 0 t h a n f o r t h e h ig h e r
in te rv a ls , b e c a u se th e y w e re e s tim a te d b y th e B u re a u
o f I n t e r n a l R e v e n u e f r o m o n ly a s a m p le o f t h e t o t a l
n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s . N e v e r th e le s s , t h e f a c t t h a t t h e
p r e li m i n a r y d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n
w e re b a s e d o n e a r n in g s d a t a r a t h e r t h a n o n in c o m e d a t a
m a d e i t d e s ir a b le t o c h e c k t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s i n th e s e
m id d le in c o m e i n t e r v a l s a g a i n s t o t h e r i n f o r m a tio n .
T h e in c o m e c u r v e s f o r m e n a n d w o m e n w e re th e r e f o r e
c o m p a r e d a b o v e $ 3 ,0 0 0 w i t h t h e c o r r e s p o n d in g c u r v e s
b a s e d o n in c o m e t a x d a t a . T h e c u r v e s b a s e d o n t h e
tw o s o u r c e s o f d a t a w e r e s im ila r , b o t h f o r s in g le m e n
a n d f o r s in g le w o m e n , a lt h o u g h t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s b a s e d
o n e a r n in g s d a t a w e re s o m e w h a t lo w e r. A c c o rd in g ly ,
t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s w e r e s m o o th e d a n d t h e p r o p o r t io n s
in in c o m e c la s s e s a b o v e $ 3 ,0 0 0 r a is e d .

Comparison With Data for
Single Individuals From Other Studies
T h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s w e re
n e x t c o m p a r e d w it h t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r t h i s g r o u p
sh o w n b y d a ta fro m th e N a tio n a l H e a lth S u rv e y a n d
fro m th e S tu d y of C o n su m e r P u rc h a se s.
11

F o r m e th o d s o f a d j u s t in g th e F e d e r a l in c o m e ta x d a t a , a n d o f c o r r ec tin g th e

d i s tr ib u ti o n s b y th i s d a ta , s ee p . 87.

70

I n t h e c a s e o f t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y , t h e s a m p le
d a t a f o r s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s w e r e n o t c la s s ifie d b y se x ,
a n d w e re a v a ila b le f o r o n ly f o u r b r o a d in c o m e c la ss e s—
u n d e r $ 1 ,0 0 0 , $ 1 ,0 0 0 t o $ 2 ,0 0 0 , $ 2 ,0 0 0 t o $ 3 ,0 0 0 , a n d
$ 3 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r. T h e s a m p le p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s
f o r c it ie s o f t h e s a m e s iz e r a n g e i n t h e s a m e r e g io n w e re
a v e r a g e d , e a c h d is t r i b u t i o n b e in g g iv e n e q u a l w e ig h t.
T h e r e s u l ti n g d is t r i b u t i o n s w e r e c o m b in e d b y w e ig h tin g
t h e m b y t h e n u m b e r o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s i n t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6
p o p u la t io n liv in g i n e a c h s iz e o f c i t y w i t h i n e a c h re g io n .
T h is d is t r i b u t i o n w a s c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n
f o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s o b t a i n e d i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y
b e f o r e c o r r e c ti o n b y in c o m e t a x d a t a . T h e c o m p a r is o n
s h o w e d a g r e a t e r c o n c e n t r a t io n o f in c o m e s b e lo w $ 1 ,0 0 0
i n t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y d a t a . T h e d iffe re n c e s i n
t h e d e f in iti o n s o f in c o m e , i n t h e m e th o d s o f o b t a in i n g
t h e e s t im a t e s , a n d i n t h e y e a r c o v e re d m a y w e ll h a v e
a c c o u n t e d f o r t h i s d is c r e p a n c y .12 T h e s e d iffe re n c e s,
w h ic h r e s u l te d i n a lo w e r d is t r i b u t i o n f o r t h e H e a l t h
S u r v e y s a m p le , w e r e a p p a r e n t l y o f s u ff ic ie n t m a g n i t u d e
t o m o r e t h a n o ffs e t t h e u p w a r d b ia s i n t r o d u c e d b y t h e
f a c t t h a t t h e H e a l t h S u r v e y in c l u d e d o n ly s in g le -p e r s o n
h o u s e h o ld e r s i n i t s s a m p le .
I n v ie w o f th e s e r e s u l ts , a n d t h e d iffe re n c e s i n c o v e r 
a g e a n d i n d e f in iti o n , i t w a s c o n c lu d e d t h a t n o re v is io n
in t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s w a s
d e s ir a b le . A c o m p a r is o n o f t h e d is t r i b u t i o n w i t h t h e
d i s t r i b u t i o n s h o w n b y t h e d a t a f o r s in g le i n d iv id u a ls
c o n t a c t e d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s l e d to
t h e s a m e c o n c lu s io n .
D i s t r ib u t io n s f o r R e l i e f
S i n g l e I n d iv i d u a ls

T h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n
w h o re c e iv e d d i r e c t o r w o r k r e lie f a t a n y tim e d u r in g t h e
y e a r w e re e s t i m a t e d o n t h e b a s is o f r e l a tio n s h ip s s h o w n
b e tw e e n t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s a n d b e tw e e n t h e a v e r a g e i n 
1» S e e p . 59.

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

c o m e s o f r e lie f a n d n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s .
T h e y w ere
c h e c k e d a g a i n s t in c o m e d a t a — n o t e n t i r e ly c o m p a r a 
b le — f o r o n e -p e rs o n r e lie f c a s e s s h o w n i n v a r io u s s t u d i e s
m a d e b y t h e D iv is io n o f S o c ia l R e s e a r c h o f t h e W o r k s
P r o g r e s s A d m i n is tr a t i o n .
T h e r a t i o o f t h e in c o m e s o f r e lie f fa m ilie s to t h e i n 
c o m e s o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s w a s a d j u s t e d b e f o r e b e in g
a p p lie d t o s in g le in d iv id u a ls , o n t h e a s s u m p ti o n s t h a t a
la r g e r p r o p o r t io n o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s w e re u n e m p l o y 
a b le a n d t h a t s in g le m e n a n d w o m e n w e r e le s s a b le t o
s u p p l e m e n t t h e d ir e c t r e lie f t h e y re c e iv e d w i t h w o r k
re lie f o r i n d e p e n d e n t e a r n in g s t h a n w e r e fa m ilie s . T h e
in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n c o n s t r u c t e d f o r r e lie f s in g le i n d i 
v id u a l s w a s t h e r e f o r e lo w e r i n r e l a t i o n t o t h a t f o r n o n 
re lie f s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s t h a n w a s t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r
re lie f f a m ilie s i n r e l a t i o n t o t h a t f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s .
T h e p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s t h a t w e r e u s e d i n d is 
t r i b u t i n g r e lie f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s b y in c o m e le v e l w e r e
a s fo llo w s : f o r w o m e n , 3 7 p e r c e n t u n d e r $ 2 5 0 , 35 p e r 
c e n t b e tw e e n $ 2 5 0 a n d $ 5 0 0 , 23 p e r c e n t b e tw e e n $ 5 0 0
a n d $ 7 5 0 , a n d 5 p e r c e n t b e tw e e n $ 7 5 0 a n d $ 1 ,0 0 0 ; a n d
f o r m e n , 3 2 p e r c e n t u n d e r $ 2 5 0 , 31 p e r c e n t b e tw e e n
$ 2 5 0 a n d $ 5 0 0 , 2 8 p e r c e n t b e tw e e n $ 5 0 0 a n d $ 7 5 0 , a n d
9 p e r c e n t b e tw e e n $ 7 5 0 a n d $ 1 ,0 0 0 .
T h e s e e s t i m a t e d d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r r e lie f s in g le i n d i 
v id u a l s a r e o b v io u s ly s u b j e c t t o a c o n s id e r a b le m a r g in
o r e r r o r , b u t s in c e t h e y r e p r e s e n t o n ly 15 p e r c e n t o f t h e
t o t a l n u m b e r o f s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s t h e p o s s ib le e r r o r in
t h e n a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n is c o n s id e r a b ly les s.
C o m b in i n g t h e R e l i e f a n d t h e N o n r e l i e f D i s t r ib u tio n s

T h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f s in g le m e n w h o h a d n o t
re c e iv e d a n y r e lie f d u r in g t h e y e a r w a s c o m b in e d w it h
t h a t f o r r e lie f s in g le m e n b y a d d i n g t h e f r e q u e n c ie s i n
t h e tw o d is t r i b u t i o n s a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l. T h e s a m e
p r o c e d u r e w a s fo llo w e d f o r s in g le w o m e n . T h e r e s u l t 
i n g d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r a ll s in g le m e n a n d f o r a ll s in g le
w o m e n w e r e t h e n c o m b in e d to y ie ld o n e d i s t r i b u t i o n
f o r a ll s in g le in d iv id u a ls .

SECTI ON 6. POPU LA TI ON W EI GHTS FOR THE SAM PLE
DI STRI BUTI ONS

T h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts n e c e s s a r y f o r e x te n d in g t h e
s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s to c o v e r a ll c o n s u m e rs in
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w e re o b t a in e d b y d iv id in g t h e e s t i 
m a t e d p o p u la t io n o n J a n u a r y 1 ,1 9 3 6 ,i n t o h o m o g e n e o u s
g r o u p s c o r re s p o n d in g to th o s e i n t o w h ic h t h e s a m p le
in c o m e d a t a w e re c la ss ifie d . T h e d a t e o f J a n u a r y 1,
193 6 w a s c h o s e n b e c a u s e i t w a s t h e m i d p o i n t o f t h e
1 2 - m o n th p e r io d c o v e re d b y t h e s t u d y .
T h e p r i m a r y d iv is io n o f t h e p o p u la t io n w a s a m o n g
th e th r e e m a jo r ty p e s o f c o n su m e r u n its — m e m b e rs o f
fa m ilie s o f tw o o r m o r e p e r s o n s , s in g le in d iv id u a ls , a n d
m e m b e r s o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l g ro u p s . F a m il ie s w e r e f u r t h e r
s u b d iv id e d b y re g io n , b y t y p e o f c o m m u n ity , b y c o lo r
a n d n a t i v i t y , b y c o m p o s i ti o n — i. e ., i n t o n o r m a l f a 
m ilie s (w it h b o t h h u s b a n d a n d w ife ) a n d b r o k e n fa m ilie s
— a n d b y re lie f s t a t u s . 1 N o n re li e f fa m ilie s w e re s t ill
f u r t h e r s u b d iv id e d , o n c e a c c o rd in g to fa m ily -s iz e
g r o u p s a n d a g a in a c c o rd in g to o c c u p a tio n . S in g le i n d i 
v id u a ls w e r e d iv id e d b y se x , b y re lie f s t a t u s , a n d b y
o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p ; a n d i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s b y
re g io n , a n d b y t y p e o f i n s t i t u t i o n o r q u a s i - i n s ti t u t i o n a l
g r o u p w it h i n e a c h re g io n .
T h e b a s is o f t h e v a r io u s b re a k - d o w n s a n d t h e s te p s
fo llo w e d i n o b ta in in g t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts fo r t h e
s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s a r e d e s c r ib e d h e r e i n t h e o r d e r in
w h ic h t h e y w e r e c a r r ie d o u t. T h e l i m it a ti o n s o f th e
a v a ila b le s o u r c e m a t e r i a l d i c t a t e d to a c o n s id e r a b le
e x t e n t t h e m e t h o d s u s e d a n d t h e s e q u e n c e fo llo w e d .
P o p u la tio n b y T y p e o f C o n s u m e r
U n i t W i t h i n E a c h R e g io n

E s t i m a t e s o f t h e t o t a l p o p u la t io n a n d o f t h e f a r m
p o p u la t io n o n J a n u a r y 1 ,1 9 3 6 , w e re a v a ila b le , b y S ta te s ,
fro m th e U n ite d S ta te s B u re a u o f th e C e n su s a n d th e
U n i t e d S t a t e s B u r e a u o f A g r i c u l t u r a l E c o n o m ic s , r e 
s p e c t i v e l y .2 T h e s e tw o s e t s o f S t a t e e s t im a t e s w e re
u s e d t o a s c e r ta i n t h e t o t a l f a r m a n d t h e t o t a l n o n f a r m
1 F o r d e f in i tio n s o f th e s e c la s s ific a tio n s , s e e A p p e n d i x A , s e c . 1.
2 U . S . D e p a r tm e n t o f C o m m e r c e , B u r e a u o f th e C e n s u s , E s t im a te d P o p u la tio n
o f th e U n i te d S ta te s b y S ix -M o n t h s P e r io d s F r o m J a n u a r y 1, 1930, to J u l y 1, 1936.
R e le a s e o f J a n u a r y 21, 1937. U . S . D e p a r tm e n t o f A g r ic u ltu r e , B u r e a u o f A g r ic u l
tu r a l E c o n o m i c s , F a r m P o p u la tio n E s t im a te s , J a n u a r y 1, 1937. R e le a s e o f J u n e
24, 1937.

p o p u la t io n i n e a c h o f t h e fiv e g e o g ra p h ic re g io n s s h o w n
i n c h a r t 10.3

Institutional Residents
T h e n u m b e rs o f in s titu tio n a l re s id e n ts in th e fa rm
a n d i n t h e n o n f a r m p o p u la t io n in e a c h r e g io n w e r e t h e n
e s t im a t e d a n d d e d u c t e d f r o m t h e a b o v e fig u re s . T h e
t o t a l i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n i n e a c h r e g io n w a s e s t i 
m a t e d o n t h e b a s is o f d a t a f r o m t h e s o u r c e m a t e r ia l s
l is te d o n p a g e 92 b e lo w . T h e p r o p o r t io n s s h o w n b y t h e
1930 C e n s u s f o r i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s l iv in g o n f a r m s
a n d i n n o n f a r m a r e a s i n e a c h r e g io n w e re u s e d t o d iv id e
t h e e s t i m a t e d 1936 i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n i n t o f a r m
a n d n o n f a r m g r o u p s .4

Single Individuals and
Members of Families
T h e f a r m a n d t h e n o n f a r m p o p u la t io n s i n e a c h re g io n ,
e x c lu s iv e o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s id e n ts , w e re n o w s e p a r a t e d
i n t o tw o g r o u p s — s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a n d p e r s o n s liv in g
in fa m ilie s . T h is b r e a k w a s m a d e a c c o r d in g t o t h e p r o 
p o r ti o n s o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a n d p e r s o n s i n f a m ilie s i n
1 93 0 , a s d e r iv e d f r o m t h e c e n s u s d a t a f o r t h e f a r m a n d
fo r t h e n o n f a r m p o p u la t io n i n e a c h re g io n .5 A n a d j u s t 
m e n t w a s m a d e a t a la te r s ta g e in th e w o rk to ta k e
a c c o u n t o f th o s e s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s w h o w e re liv in g
w it h t h e i r p a r e n t s b u t w e re n o t m e m b e r s o f t h e e c o 
n o m ic f a m ily a s d e f in e d i n t h i s s t u d y . 6

Family Members by Type of Community
E s t i m a t e s o f t h e n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s i n f a r m fa m ilie s
in e a c h re g io n w e r e o b t a i n e d i n t h e p ro c e s s o f s e p a r a t i n g
t h e f a r m p o p u la t io n i n t o s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a n d p e r s o n s
in fa m ilie s . T h e d iv is io n o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f n o n 
f a r m f a m ily m e m b e r s i n e a c h r e g io n a m o n g t h e o t h e r
t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y — r u r a l n o n f a r m , s m a ll c itie s ,
m id d le -s iz e d c itie s , la r g e c itie s , a n d m e tro p o lis e s — w a s
m a d e b y a s s u m in g t h e p e r c e n ta g e r e la tio n s h ip s t h a t
3 F o r S ta te s in c l u d e d i n th e v a r io u s r e g io n s, s ee p p . 42 -43.
4 T h e n u m b e r o f i n s ti tu t io n a l r e s id e n ts i n 1930 w a s d e te r m in e d b y c o m b in in g th e
fo llo w in g q u a s i-fa m ily g r o u p s r e p o r te d b y th e C e n s u s : p e rs o n s i n in s ti tu t io n s , i n
c re w s o n v e s s e ls , i n la b o r c a m p s , a n d in m ilit a r y a n d n a v a l p o s ts .

F o r m e th o d u s e d

i n d i v id in g i n s ti tu t io n a l p o p u l a t io n b y t y p e o f i n s ti tu t io n a l g r o u p , s e e p . 92.
6 F o r m e th o d o f o b ta in in g n u m b e r o f s in g le in d iv id u a ls in 1930, s e e p p . 7 7 -7 8 .
6 F o r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p p . 76 -7 7 .
71

72

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

w e re s h o w n b y t h e 1930 C e n s u s .7 I t s h o u ld b e n o t e d
t h a t t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts f o r r u r a l n o n f a r m a r e a s
in c lu d e d n o n f a r m fa m ilie s liv in g i n o p e n c o u n t r y a s w ell
a s i n v illa g e s , a lt h o u g h t h e s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s a g a in s t
w h ic h t h e y w e re a p p lie d in c lu d e d d a t a f r o m v illa g e
fa m ilie s o n ly .
F a m i li e s b y R e g io n a n d
T y p e o f C o m m u n it y

H a v i n g d e te r m in e d , f o r e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y
w it h i n e a c h re g io n , t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s liv in g
in fa m ilie s , t h e n e x t s te p w a s to c o n v e r t th e s e p e rs o n s
i n t o fa m ily u n its .
D a t a f r o m t h e 1930 C e n s u s w e re f i r s t u s e d to c a lc u la te
t h e a v e r a g e siz e o f fa m ily i n e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n ity
w i t h i n e a c h re g io n . B u t t h e a v e r a g e siz e o f fa m ily in
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s h a s b e e n d e c lin in g s in c e 190 0 b y th e
a b s o lu te a m o u n t o f t w o - t e n t h s o f a p e r s o n e a c h d e c a d e .
S in c e i t is r e a s o n a b le t o a s s u m e t h a t t h e t r e n d h a s
c o n t in u e d d u r in g t h e p r e s e n t d e c a d e , i t w a s n e c e s s a ry
to re d u c e s o m e w h a t t h e a v e ra g e s s h o w n b y t h e 1930
C e n s u s t o a v o id u n d e r e s t im a t i n g t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s
in t h e 1 9 3 6 p o p u la tio n . I n lin e w i t h s u g g e s t io n s m a d e
b y t h e C e n s u s B u r e a u , t h e 193 0 a v e r a g e siz e o f f a m ily
i n t h e U n i te d S t a t e s w a s a s s u m e d t o h a v e d e c r e a s e d
f r o m 4 .1 t o 4 .0 b y 1 936. T h e a v e r a g e siz e o f fa m ily in
e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n ity w it h i n e a c h r e g io n w a s r e d u c e d
i n t h e s a m e p r o p o r tio n , o r 2 .4 p e r c e n t b e lo w t h e 1930
a v e ra g e .
T h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s i n e a c h d e g re e o f u r b a n i z a t io n
in e a c h r e g io n w a s t h e n o b t a in e d b y d iv id in g t h e e s t i 
m a t e d f a m ily p o p u la t io n f o r 1936 b y t h e a d j u s t e d
a v e r a g e siz e o f fa m ily .
I t s h o u ld b e n o t e d t h a t b o t h t h e fa m ily p o p u la tio n
a n d t h e a v e r a g e siz e o f f a m ily u s e d i n d e t e r m in in g th e
n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n e a c h d e g re e o f u r b a n i z a t i o n in
e a c h r e g io n w e re b a s e d o n t h e c e n s u s d e f in iti o n o f a
f a m ily r a t h e r t h a n o n t h e d e f in iti o n o f t h e e c o n o m ic
fa m ily u s e d i n t h i s s t u d y . T h is p r o c e d u r e w a s u n 
a v o id a b le , a n d is c o n s i d e r e d ju s tif ia b le , s in c e t h e r e is
n o re a s o n to a s s u m e t h a t t h e n u m b e r o f e c o n o m ic
f a m ilie s w o u ld b e a p p r e c ia b ly d if f e r e n t f r o m t h e n u m b e r
o f c e n s u s fa m ilie s .8
F a m i li e s b y C o l o r a n d
N a tiv ity G ro u p

F a m ilie s i n e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n ity i n e a c h re g io n
w e r e n e x t d iv id e d a m o n g t h e f o u r c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y
g r o u p s : n a t i v e - b o r n w h ite , fo re ig n -b o r n w h ite , N e g ro ,
a n d o t h e r c o lo r. R e c e n t e s t im a t e s o f t h e c o lo rn a t i v i t y d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e p o p u la t io n f o r t h e t o t a l
7 F o r d e fin itio n s o f th e s e v a r io u s ty p e s o f c o m m u n it y , s e e A p p e n d i x A , s e c . 1.
s T h e n u m b e r o f c e n s u s fa m ilie s w o u ld b e r e d u c ed o n l y t o th e e x te n t t h a t th e
a d j u s t m e n t for s o n s o r d a u g h te rs li v i n g a t h o m e b u t n o t p o o lin g th e ir in c o m e s in t h e
c o m m o n fa m ily fu n d l e ft o n l y o n e m e m b e r o f t h e fa m ily g r ou p . T h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f
c e n s u s fa m ily , h o w e v e r , w o u ld b e a p p r e c ia b ly larg er th a n th e a v e r a g e s iz e o f th e
e c o n o m ic fa m ily .

F o r e x p la n a tio n o f th is p o i n t , s e e p . 77.

U n i t e d S t a t e s w e r e a v a ila b le f r o m a s t u d y m a d e b y t h e
p o p u la t io n c o m m i tt e e o f t h e N a t i o n a l R e s o u rc e s C o m 
m i t te e . A c o m p a r is o n o f th e s e fig u r e s w i t h th o s e s h o w n
b y t h e 193 0 C e n s u s in d i c a t e d t h a t t h e p r in c ip a l c h a n g e
t h a t h a d o c c u rr e d w a s a d e c re a s e i n t h e p r o p o r t io n o f
fo re ig n -b o r n w h ite s i n t h e p o p u la t io n f r o m 1 0.9 p e r c e n t
to 9 .4 p e r c e n t o f t h e t o t a l . T h e s a m e r e l a t i v e r e d u c 
tio n — 13.8 p e r c e n t o f t h e 1930 fig u r e — w a s a p p lie d
u n if o r m ly to t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f fo re ig n -b o r n w h ite
fa m ilie s i n e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n e a c h r e g io n
a s s h o w n b y t h e 1 930 C e n s u s . T h e a b s o lu te d if fe re n c e
b e tw e e n t h e p e r c e n ta g e s o f fo r e ig n - b o r n w h ite s i n th e
2 y e a r s w a s a d d e d t o t h e 1 9 3 0 p e r c e n ta g e o f n a t i v e - b o r n
w h ite s i n t h e s a m e a r e a t o o b t a i n t h e 193 6 p e r c e n ta g e
fo r t h a t g r o u p . T h e p r o p o r t io n s o f N e g r o a n d o f
o t h e r c o lo r f a m ilie s r e m a in e d t h e s a m e a s th o s e s h o w n
b y t h e 193 0 C e n s u s .
T h e d iv is io n o f f a r m a n d r u r a l n o n f a r m f a m ilie s b y
c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y g r o u p s w a s n e c e s s a r y , f o r o b t a in i n g
p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts , o n ly i n t h e S o u th e r n R e g io n . F o r
t h i s re g io n , t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a r m a n d o f r u r a l n o n 
f a r m N e g ro a n d o t h e r c o lo r fa m ilie s w e r e a p p lie d
a s p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts a g a i n s t t h e s a m p le in c o m e d is 
t r i b u t i o n s f o r N e g ro n o r m a l fa m ilie s , w h ile t h e t o t a l
n u m b e r o f n a t i v e - b o r n a n d fo re ig n - b o r n w h i te s w e re
a p p lie d a s p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts a g a i n s t t h e s a m p le in 
c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r n a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l fa m ilie s .
I n o t h e r re g io n s , t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a r m a n d o f r u r a l
n o n f a r m f a m ilie s w e r e a p p lie d a s p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts
a g a i n s t t h e s a m p le in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r n a t i v e w h ite n o r m a l fa m ilie s .
F a rm F a m i li e s b y T y p e o f F a r m in g

P o p u l a ti o n w e ig h ts f o r t h e f a r m s a m p le d is t r i b u t i o n s
w e r e o b t a in e d b y d iv id in g a ll t h e f a r m fa m ilie s i n t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s a c c o r d in g t o t h e p r i n c i p a l t y p e s o f f a r m 
in g r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e s a m p le d a t a u s e d f r o m t h e S t u d y
o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . T h e d iv is io n o f f a m ilie s w a s
m a d e a lo n g S t a t e b o u n d a r y lin e s w it h a ll t h e f a r m
fa m ilie s i n a g iv e n S t a t e a s s ig n e d t o t h e s a m e g ro u p ,
o n t h e b a s is o f t h e t y p e o f f a r m in g p r e v a i li n g i n t h e
S t a t e a s a w h o le . T h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a r m f a m ilie s
in t h e S t a t e s a s s ig n e d t o e a c h t y p e - o f - f a r m in g g r o u p
w a s u s e d a s t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h t f o r t h e s a m p le d is 
t r i b u t i o n r e p r e s e n t i n g t h a t t y p e o f f a r m in g .9
F o r t h e S o u th e r n S t a t e s i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o o b t a i n
s e p a r a t e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts f o r o p e r a t o r a n d f o r s h a r e 
c r o p p e r f a m ilie s i n e a c h o f t h e t h r e e c o lo r g ro u p s —
w h ite , N e g ro a n d o t h e r c o lo r. T h e 1935 A g ri c u l
t u r a l C e n s u s f u r n is h e d t h e b a s is o f t h i s t e n u r e b r e a k
w it h i n t h e w h i te a n d t h e N e g ro g ro u p s . T h e te n u r e
b r e a k f o r o t h e r c o lo r f a m ilie s w a s m a d e o n t h e b a s is
o f t h e p r o p o r t io n s s h o w n f o r N e g ro fa m ilie s .10
9 S e e s u m m a r y ta b u l a t io n s in ta b le s 1 A a n d 3 A .
F o r d e fin itio n s o f o p e ra to r a n d s h a r ec ro p p e r, s ee fo o tn o te 11, p . 43.

C o n su m e r In c o m e s
F a m i li e s b y N o r m a l a n d
B r o k e n C o m p o s i ti o n

T h e d iv is io n o f f a m ilie s a c c o r d in g t o n o r m a l o r b ro k e n
c o m p o s iti o n 11 w a s c a r r ie d t h r o u g h o n ly f o r n a t i v e w h ite fa m ilie s i n u r b a n c o m m u n itie s i n e a c h r e g io n a n d
fo r N e g ro fa m ilie s i n S o u th e r n u r b a n c o m m u n itie s a n d
in N o r t h C e n t r a l l a r g e c itie s a n d m e tro p o lis e s . S in c e
s a m p le in c o m e d a t a w e re n o t a v a ila b le f o r b r o k e n
fa m ilie s liv in g i n v illa g e s a n d i n m o s t o f t h e f a r m a re a s ,
i t w a s n o t n e c e s s a r y t o o b t a i n s e p a r a t e p o p u la t io n
w e ig h ts fo r n o r m a l a n d f o r b r o k e n fa m ilie s in th e s e
ty p e s o f c o m m u n ity . S im ila rl y , n o p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts
w e re r e q u i r e d f o r n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n fa m ilie s i n o th e r
c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y g ro u p s , i. e ., t h e fo re ig n -b o r n
w h ite , t h e o t h e r c o lo r, o r — i n a r e a s w h e re t h e y w e re
n o t in c lu d e d in th e r e g u l a r s a m p le — fo r t h e N e g ro
g r o u p .1112
T h e d iv is io n b e tw e e n n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l a n d n a t i v e w h ite b r o k e n f a m ilie s w a s m a d e o n t h e b a s is o f t h e
p r o p o r t io n s o f n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n fa m ilie s f o u n d in
28 o f t h e c it ie s c o v e re d b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s . B e c a u s e t h e p e r c e n ta g e o f t h e t o t a l p o p u 
l a t i o n c o v e re d b y t h e s a m p le in e a c h o f th e s e c itie s
w a s m u c h s m a lle r f o r b r o k e n fa m ilie s t h a n f o r n o r m a l
fa m ilie s , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to m u l t i p l y t h e n u m b e r
o f b r o k e n fa m ilie s i n e a c h s a m p le c o m m u n i t y b y a
s t e p - u p f a c t o r b e f o r e c o m p u tin g t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f
n o r m a l a n d o f b r o k e n fa m ilie s . T h u s if t h e r e g u la r
s a m p lin g c o v e ra g e f o r n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l fa m ilie s in
a g iv e n c i t y w a s 10 p e r c e n t, w h ile t h e c o v e ra g e fo r
o t h e r fa m ilie s w a s o n ly 5 p e r c e n t, i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to
m u l ti p ly t h e n u m b e r o f b r o k e n fa m ilie s in t h e s a m p le
b y t w o .13
T h e p e r c e n ta g e o f n a t i v e - w h it e fa m ilie s t h a t w e re
n o r m a l — i. e ., c o n t a i n e d b o t h h u s b a n d a n d w ife — w a s
t h e n o b t a in e d f o r e a c h c i t y b y d iv id in g t h e n u m b e r o f
n o r m a l fa m ilie s i n t h e s a m p le b y t h e t o t a l o f n o r m a l
fa m ilie s p lu s t h e s t e p p e d - u p n u m b e r o f b r o k e n fa m ilie s .
W h e n t h e r e w a s m o r e t h a n o n e s a m p le o f a n y t y p e o f
c o m m u n i t y i n t h e s a m e re g io n , t h e p e r c e n ta g e s f o r t h e
v a r io u s c it ie s w e re a v e r a g e d t o o b t a i n t h e p e r c e n ta g e
fig u r e s fi n a lly u s e d to d e t e r m i n e f o r e a c h t y p e o f c o m 11 F o r d e fin it io n s o f n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n fa m il ie s , s e e p . 43.
12 W h e r e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a w e r e a v a ila b le for fa m ilie s i n th e s e g r o u p s , t h e y w e re
p o o le d a n d o n e s a m p l e in c o m e d is tr ib u ti o n o b t a in e d for a ll s u c h n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s in
th e c o m m u n it y s a m p l e d . A n e x c e p t io n t o t h i s p r a c tic e w a s m a d e i n t h e c a s e o f
fo r eig n -b o r n w h i t e s in N o r th C e n tra l la rg e c iti e s a n d m e tr o p o lis e s , w h e r e s e p a r a te
in c o m e d i s tr ib u t io n s w e r e o b t a in e d for th i s g r o u p . S e e p . 54.
13 S te p -u p fa c to r s u s e d t o b r in g t h e c lip p e d s a m p le d a ta for b r o k e n fa m ilie s u p to th e

73
m u n i t y w i t h i n e a c h r e g io n t h e n u m b e r o f n o r m a l a n d
t h e n u m b e r o f b r o k e n n a t i v e - w h it e fa m ilie s .14
I n e a c h o f t h e t h r e e size s o f c it ie s i n t h e S o u th a n d in
m e tr o p o lis e s a n d la r g e c it ie s i n t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e 
g io n t h e n u m b e r s o f n o r m a l a n d o f b r o k e n N e g r o f a m i
lie s w e re o b t a in e d i n t h e s a m e w a y .
T h e a b o v e m e t h o d s w e r e a d o p te d b e c a u s e n o c e n s u s
d a t a w e re a v a i la b l e f o r d iv id in g fa m ilie s a c c o r d in g to
n o r m a l o r b r o k e n c o m p o s iti o n . T h e l a t e s t a v a ila b le
fig u r e s w e r e f o r 1 9 3 0 a n d w e re n o t i n s u ff ic ie n t d e t a il
to m e e t t h e n e e d s o f t h i s s t u d y . T h e e s t i m a t e d p r o p o r 
t io n s o f n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n f a m ilie s i n u r b a n c o m m u n 
i ti e s in e a c h r e g io n a r e s h o w n i n t h e a c c o m p a n y in g t a b le .

Ta bl e 8A.—

P r o p o r tio n s o f n o r m a l a n d

tw o c o lo r -n a tiv ity
1 9 3 5 -3 6

gro u p s,

by

r e g io n

broken
an d

N a t iv e -w h i te
R e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

N e w E n g la n d :
L a r g e c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
N o r th C e n tra l:
M e t r o p o lis e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
L a s g e c it i e s _______ _______
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

u rb a n fa m ilie s in

ty p e

of

c o m m u n ity ,1

N egro

N orm al
fa m ilie s

B rok en
fa m ilie s

N orm al
fa m ilie s

B roken
fa m ilie s

P ercen t

P ercen t

P ercen t

P ercen t

S o u th :
L a r g e c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M o u n t a in a n d P la in s :

76. 6
7 9 .1
8 2 .6

23. 4
20. 9
1 7 .4

8 1 .8
7 8 .4
8 1 .2
8 1 .1

1 8 .2
2 1 .6
1 8 .8
1 8 .9

7 0 .5
7 6 .9

2 9 .5
2 3 .1

8 0 .2
7 8 .7
8 2 .4

1 9 .8
2 1 .3
1 7 .6

6 2 .9
6 8 .7
6 7 .5

3 7 .1
3 1 .3
3 2 .5

7 9 .9
7 9 .6
8 1 .5

2 0 .1
20. 4
1 8 .5

8 0 .7
80. 6
80. 6

1 9 .3
19. 4
19. 4

P a c ific :

1 F o r d e fin itio n o f e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n it y , s e e p . 43.

F a m i li e s b y R e l i e f S ta tu s

T h e s e p a r a t i o n o f r e lie f a n d n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s i n t h e
v a r io u s c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y g r o u p s w it h i n e a c h t y p e o f
c o m m u n i t y i n e a c h r e g io n w a s m a d e o n t h e b a s is o f th e
p r o p o r t io n s s h o w n b y d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s a n d a ls o f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y
c o n d u c te d b y t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s P u b lic H e a l t h S e rv ic e .
T h e s t u d i e s c o v e re d a p p r o x im a t e ly t h e s a m e p e r io d ,
a n d b o t h d e f in e d a r e lie f fa m ily a s o n e t h a t h a d r e 
c e iv e d a n y f o r m o f a s s is ta n c e f r o m a p u b lic o r p r i v a t e
a g e n c y a t a n y tim e d u r in g t h e s c h e d u le y e a r , so t h a t
t h e d a t a w e re c o m p a r a b le .15*
F o r e a c h s a m p le c o m m u n i t y i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n 
s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , t h e p e r c e n t o f f a m ilie s t h a t h a d r e 
c e iv e d r e lie f w a s c a lc u la te d fo r e a c h c o l o r - n a ti v it y

c o v e ra g e o f t h e r eg u la r s a m p l e d a ta for n o r m a l fa m ilie s w e r e a s fo llo w s : C h ic a g o , 111.,
8.60; P r o v id e n c e , R . I . , 6.10; C o lu m b u s , O h io , 14.78; A tl a n ta , G a ., 17.17; D e n v e r , C o lo .
6.91; P o r t la n d , O r e g ., 14.62; H a v e r h ill, M a s s ., 4.35; N e w B r it a in , C o n n ., 4.21; M u n c ie ,
I n d ., 13.90; N e w C a s tle , P a ., 8.42; S p r in g fie ld , 111., 8.72; D u b u q u e , I o w a , 12.61; C o 

14 E a c h c i t y w a s g iv e n e q u a l w e ig h t in th i s p r oc e d u r e. I n t h e c a s e o f s m a ll c itie s in
th e N e w E n g la n d a n d i n th e M o u n t a in a n d P la i n s R e g io n s th e r e w a s o n l y o n e

lu m b ia , S . C ., 16.29; M o b ile , A la ., 14.20; B u t t e , M o n t ., 14.50; P u e b lo , C o lo ., 12.52;
A b e r d e e n -H o q u ia m , W a s h . , 12.97; B e llin g h a m , W a s h ., 6.02; E v e r e tt , W a s h ., 15.67;

c itie s i n t h e r e g io n a n d t h e r e s u lt u s e d a s r e p r e s e n ta tiv e o f s m a ll c it ie s . I n t h e c a s e
o f th e P a c ific R e g io n th e r e w a s n o s m a ll c i t y for w h i c h t h e p e r c e n t o f n o r m a l fa m ilie s
w a s a v a ila b le ; th e p e r c en t in m id d le -s iz e d c itie s w a s u s e d a s r e p r e s e n ta tiv e o f sm a B

W a llin g fo r d , C o n n ., 8.18; B e a v e r F a lls , P a ., 4.61; C o n n e lls v ille , P a ., 4.79; L o g a n s p o r t,
I n d ., 6.29; P e r u , I n d ., 5.32; M a tt o o n , 111., 4.95; A l b a n y , G a ., 9.71; G a s to n ia , N . C .,
5.00; B i llin g s , M o n t ., 2.87.
7 2 7 3 6 ° — 3 8 ------ 6

s a m p le c i t y for w h i c h t h e p e r c en t o f n o r m a l fa m ilie s w a s a v a il a b l e . T h e p e r c en t
for th i s c i t y w a s a v e r a g e d w i t h th e p e r c en t o f n o r m a l fa m ilie s in t h e m id d le -s i z e d

c itie s a s w e ll.
15 F o r e x p la n a t io n o f th e r e lie f c la s s ific a tio n , s e e p . 42.

74
g r o u p , w i t h s e p a r a t e p e r c e n ts f o r n o r m a l a n d f o r b r o k e n
fa m ilie s w h e n e v e r t h e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a f o r a n y g r o u p
h a d b e e n c la ss ifie d i n t h a t m a n n e r . 16
T h e r e lie f p e r c e n ts f o r u r b a n c o m m u n itie s , a s d e 
riv e d fro m th e C o n su m e r P u rc h a s e s d a ta , w ere a d ju s te d
b y m e a n s o f t h e r e lie f p e r c e n t s f o r 71 c it ie s in c lu d e d in
t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y . T h e tw o s t u d i e s s h o w e d
v e r y s im ila r p e r c e n ta g e s f o r c o m m u n itie s o f t h e s a m e
d e g re e o f u r b a n i z a t i o n w it h i n a re g io n , so t h a t t h e
a d j u s t m e n t s w e re r e l a t i v e l y m in o r .
T h e d a t a f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y d id n o t
y ie ld s e p a r a t e r e lie f p e r c e n ts f o r n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n
fa m ilie s , o r f o r e v e r y c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y g r o u p . F o r 38
c itie s , t h e r e lie f p e r c e n ts w e r e a v a ila b le f o r a ll c o lo r a n d
n a t i v i t y g ro u p s c o m b in e d , a n d f o r 33 c it ie s t h e y w e re
a v a i la b l e f o r a ll w h i te f a m ilie s a n d f o r a ll N e g r o p lu s
o t h e r c o lo r fa m ilie s . I n o r d e r t o a v e r a g e t h e p e r c e n ts
f r o m t h e tw o s tu d ie s , b y t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w i t h i n e a c h
r e g io n , i t w a s f i r s t n e c e s s a r y t o p la c e t h e m o n a c o m 
p a r a b l e b a s is . T h is w a s d o n e a s f o llo w s : T h e n u m b e r o f
r e lie f fa m ilie s i n e a c h c o lo r a n d n a t i v i t y g r o u p i n e a c h
d e g re e o f u r b a n i z a t i o n i n a r e g io n w a s f i r s t c a lc u la t e d o n
t h e b a s is o f t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s S t u d y p e r c e n ta g e s .
R e li e f p e r c e n ts w e r e t h e n c a lc u la t e d f o r a ll c o lo r a n d
n a t i v i t y g r o u p s c o m b in e d , o r a s s e p a r a t e p e r c e n ts f o r a ll
w h i te f a m ilie s a n d f o r a ll N e g r o a n d o t h e r c o lo r fa m ilie s .
T h is d o n e , i t w a s p o s s ib le t o o b t a i n a c o r r e c te d re lie f
p e r c e n t f o r c it ie s o f t h e s a m e d e g re e o f u r b a n i z a t i o n
w it h i n e a c h r e g io n b y a v e r a g in g t h e p e r c e n t s f r o m t h e
tw o s tu d ie s . T h e p e r c e n t f r o m e a c h s t u d y w a s w e ig h te d
i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e n u m b e r o f c it ie s o f a g iv e n size
a n d r e g io n c o v e re d b y t h e s a m p le d a t a f r o m e a c h s t u d y .
T h e c o r r e c te d p e r c e n ts w e r e t h e n u s e d t o d e te r m in e
t h e n u m b e r o f r e lie f f a m ilie s i n e a c h d e g re e o f u r b a n i 
z a ti o n w it h i n e a c h re g io n .
T h e s e f a m ilie s w e r e a ll o 
c a t e d t o t h e v a r io u s c o l o r - n a t i v i t y g r o u p s a n d t o n o r m a l
a n d b r o k e n fa m ilie s w it h i n a g r o u p a c c o r d in g t o t h e
p r o p o r t io n s o f r e lie f fa m ilie s i n th e s e g r o u p s s h o w n b y
t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s S t u d y . 17 T h e e s t im a t e d p e r !<> T h u s i n N o r th C e n tr a l la rg e c it i e s a n d m e tr o p o lis e s , r e lie f p e r c en ts w e r e c a lc u 
la te d for n a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l, n a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , N e g r o n o r m a l, N e g r o b r ok e n ,
a n d fo r eig n -b o r n w h i te fa m ilie s . I n u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s in th e S o u th , r e lie f p e r c e n ts
w e r e c a lc u la te d for n a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l, N e g r o n o r m a l, N e g r o b r o k e n , a n d th e c o m 
b i n e d g r o u p o f n a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n a n d fo r eig n -b o r n w h i t e fa m ilie s . T h e p e r c e n t o f
a ll N e g r o fa m ilie s t h a t r e c eiv ed r e lie f w a s u s e d a s th e r e lie f p e r c e n t for th e o th er co lo r
g r o u p in t h e a b o v e c o m m u n it ie s . I n u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s i n th e N e w E n g la n d , th e
M o u n t a in a n d P la in s a n d th e P a c ific R e g io n s , a n d in m i d d l e -s iz e d a n d s m a ll c itie s
in th e N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n , r e l ie f p e r c e n ts w e r e c a lc u la te d for n a t iv e -w h it e n o r m a l,
fo r n a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n a n d for t h e c o m b in e d g r o u p o f fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te , N e g r o a n d
o th e r c olo r fa m ilie s , b o t h n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n . F o r v illa g e a n d fa r m c o m m u n it ie s
in a ll r e g io n s e x c e p t t h e S o u th , t h e r e lie f p e r c e n t for n a t iv e -w h it e n o r m a l fa m ilie s w a s
u s e d fo r a ll c o lo r - n a tiv ity a n d fa m il y c o m p o s iti o n g r o u p s c o m b in e d . F o r v illa g e a n d
fa r m c o m m u n it ie s in t h e S o u t h , t h e r e lie f p e r c e n ts fo r n a t iv e -w h i te n o r m a l fa m ilie s
w e r e u s e d for a ll w d iite fa m ilie s a n d th o s e for N e g r o n o r m a l fa m ilie s for a ll N e g r o a n d
o th er c o lo r fa m ilie s .
17
W h e n t h e N a t io n a l H e a lt h S u r v e y y i e l d e d s e p a r a te p e r c e n ta g e s for a ll w h it e s
a n d fo r a l l N e g r o a n d o th er c olo r fa m ilie s , c o r r ec te d p e r c e n ta g e s w e r e c o m p u te d
for e a c h o f th e s e t w o g r o u p s , a n d i t w a s p o s s ib le t o d e te r m in e t h e to t a l n u m b e r o f
w h i te fa m ilie s o n r e l ie f i n a g iv e n d e g r e e o f u r b a n iz a tio n a n d t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f
N e g r o a n d o th e r c olo r fa m ilie s . I n s u c h in s t a n c e s , t h e d is tr i b u tio n o f fa m ilie s to
c o m p o n e n t q u a li ta ti v e g r o u p s w a s m a d e s e p a r a te ly fo r e a c h g r o u p — th a t i s , w h i te
fa m ilie s w e re d i s tr ib u te d a m o n g n a tiv e -w h i te n o r m a l, n a t iv e -w h i te b r o k e n , a n d foreign -

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

c e n ts o f re lie f fa m ilie s in t h e v a r io u s t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y
w ith in e a c h r e g io n a r e s h o w n in t h e a c c o m p a n y in g
ta b le .

Ta bl e

9 A .—

P e r c e n t o f f a m i l i e s th a t r e c e iv e d r e lie f a t a n y tim e d u r 

i n g th e y e a r , h y r e g io n a n d

T y p e o f c o m m u n i ty

A ll
r eg io n s

ty p e o f c o m m u n ity ,1 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

N ew
E ng
la n d
region

N o rth
S o u th er n
C e n tr a l
r eg ion
reg ion

M oun
ta in
and
P la in s
r eg ion

P a c ific
r eg ion

S m a ll c iti e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 4 .8
1 6 .4
18.3
16. 5

1 6 .0
2 0 .6
1 7 .6

1 4 .8
18. 2
17. 7
1 8 .2

1 5 .2
15. 6
1 2 .5

1 7 .0
2 4 .4
2 3 .7

1 2 .9
2 1 .9
1 0 .2

A ll u r b a n c o m m u 
n itie s .. . _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 6 .5

1 8 .0

1 7 .0

14. 2

2 1 .8

1 3 .6

R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n i
tie s _______
____
F a r m s ........... .................... -

1 9 .3
8 .9

2 0 .9
5 .3

20. 9
2 .9

1 6 .6
1 1 .2

2 0 .8
1 7 .9

2 0 .4
8 .2

1 3 .6

1 5 .8

1 2 .2

1 3 .2

1 9 .1

1 5 .3

1 5 .3

17.4

15. 5

1 3 .6

20. 1 j

14. 2

A l l r u ra l c o m m u n iA ll c o m m u n it ie s __

1 F o r d e fin itio n o f e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n it y , s ee p . 43.

T h e u s e o f s a m p le d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u rc h a se s a n d fro m th e N a tio n a l H e a lth S u rv e y to
d e te r m in e t h e n u m b e r a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n o f re lie f f a m ilie s
in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s p e r h a p s c a ll s f o r s o m e e x p la n a tio n .
N o c o m p r e h e n s iv e r e lie f s t a t i s t i c s h a v e b e e n c o m p ile d
o n t h e b a s is o f a re lie f d e f in iti o n s u c h a s w a s u s e d i n t h e
S tu d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . S u c h i n t e g r a t e d r e lie f
s e rie s a s h a v e b e e n c o m p ile d o n a n a t i o n a l s c a le a r e o n
a m o n t h l y b a s is , a n d d o n o t y ie ld a n u n d u p l i c a t e d c o u n t
o f t h e n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s a n d in d i v i d u a l s re c e iv in g - a n y
f o rm o f re lie f a t a n y tim e d u r in g a y e a r . T h e d i s a d 
v a n t a g e s o f u s in g s a m p le d a t a w e r e m in im iz e d b y t h e
e x te n s iv e c o v e ra g e o f t h e tw o s tu d ie s .
N o n r e iie f
and

by

F a m i li e s

by

O c c u p a tio n a l

S iz e
G ro u p

B y s u b t r a c t i n g t h e n u m b e r o f r e lie f fa m ilie s f r o m t h e
t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n e a c h o f t h e c o m p o n e n t
g ro u p s , i t w a s p o s s ib le t o a s c e r ta i n t h e n u m b e r o f n o n 
re lie f fa m ilie s in e a c h c o l o r - n a ti v it y g r o u p i n e a c h d e g re e
o f u r b a n i z a t i o n i n e a c h re g io n . T h e s e n o n r e lie f f a m i 
lie s w e re t h e n d i s t r i b u t e d a m o n g t h e f o u r s iz e s o f fa m ily
a n d a m o n g t h e e i g h t o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s .18 B o t h of
th e s e d iv is io n s w e r e m a d e o n t h e b a s is o f t h e p r o p o r 
tio n s s h o w n b y t h e n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s in te r v ie w e d in t h e
S tu d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .
T h e in c o m e s c h e d u le s f r o m n o n re lie f fa m ilie s g a v e
i n f o r m a ti o n o n b o t h siz e o f f a m ily a n d o c c u p a tio n a l
g ro u p , b u t n o a t t e m p t w a s m a d e i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y
to c o m p u t e s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r e a c h siz e
o f fa m ily w it h i n e a c h o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p . I n s t e a d t h e
b o r n w h it e g r o u p s a c co r d in g to th e p e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u t io n o f r e lie f fa m ilie s in th e s e
g r o u p s a s s h o w n b y th e C o n su m e r P u r c h a s e s S t u d y d a ta . N e g r o a n d o th e r co lo r
r e lie f fa m ilie s w e r e a llo ca ted in a .sim ilar fa s h io n a m o n g t h e c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s o i
fa m ilie s.
18 F o r d e sc r ip tio n o f fa m ily -s iz e a n d o c c u p a tio n a l c la s s ific a tio n s , s e e p p . 43 -44.

C o n su m er In c o m e s

d a t a w e re f ir s t c la ss ifie d b y fa m ily size, a ll o c c u p a tio n s
c o m b in e d , a n d t h e n re c la s s if ie d b y o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p ,
a ll f a m ily s iz e s c o m b in e d .19 I n o b t a in i n g t h e p o p u la 
tio n w e ig h ts , th e r e f o r e , a s im ila r p r o c e d u r e w a s fo l
lo w e d — i. e ., n o n re lie f fa m ilie s w e re d iv id e d o n c e a c c o r d 
in g t o fa m ily siz e a n d o n c e a c c o r d in g to o c c u p a tio n a l
g ro u p . T h e d iv is io n s w e re m a d e s e p a r a t e ly f o r e a c h
c o l o r - n a ti v it y g r o u p , a n d f o r n o r m a l a n d b r o k e n f a m i
lie s w it h i n a g r o u p w h e n e v e r t h e s a m p le d a t a w e re
c la ss ifie d in t h a t m a n n e r . T h u s t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f
n o n r e lie f n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l fa m ilie s i n s m a ll c itie s in
t h e N o r t h C e n t r a l R e g io n w a s d iv id e d a m o n g t h e fo u r
s iz e s o f f a m ily , a n d a m o n g th e s e v e n o c c u p a tio n a l
g ro u p s a c c o rd in g t o t h e a v e r a g e p r o p o r t io n s s h o w n b y
t h e n o n r e lie f n a t i v e - w h it e n o r m a l fa m ilie s in N o r t h
C e n t r a l s m a ll c itie s t h a t w e r e i n te r v ie w e d i n t h e S tu d y
o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .20
T h e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a c o lle c te d f r o m r e lie f fa m ilie s
i n te r v ie w e d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s w e re
n o t a v a ila b le , w h e n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y w a s u n d e r t a k e n ,
a c c o rd in g t o siz e o f fa m ily o r a c c o r d in g t o o c c u p a tio n a l
g r o u p , so t h a t i t w a s u n n e c e s s a r y t o a t t e m p t t o d iv id e
a ll r e lie f fa m ilie s i n t h e p o p u la t io n b y th e s e fa c to r s .
T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s C e n s u s f o r 193 0 g a v e a d i s t r i b u t i o n
o f a ll f a m ilie s b y siz e w h ic h w a s u s e d i n v a r io u s w a y s
to c h e c k t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s o b t a in e d
fr o m t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s S t u d y d a t a . H o w e v e r,
t h e d if fe r e n c e s in d a t e and. i n d e f in iti o n o f f a m ily , a n d
t h e n e c e s s ity o f e x c lu d in g r e lie f f a m ilie s f r o m t h e
b r e a k - d o w n m a d e i t im p o s s ib le t o u s e t h e 193 0 C e n s u s
p r o p o r t io n s f o r d is t r i b u t i n g t h e e s t i m a t e d n u m b e r o f
fa m ilie s i n 193 6 a c c o r d in g t o siz e o f fa m ily .
T h e o c c u p a tio n a l d is t r i b u t i o n s h o w n b y t h e 1930
C e n su s w as in a d e q u a te fo r p u rp o se s o f th is s tu d y
b e c a u s e i t r e p r e s e n t e d g a in f u l w o r k e r s r a t h e r t h a n
fa m ilie s . T h is f a c t, t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e d if fe r e n c e in
d a t e , s l i g h t d if fe r e n c e s in. d e f in iti o n , a n d t h e p r o b le m
o f e x c lu d in g r e lie f fa m ilie s f r o m t h e 1936 c la s s if ic a tio n
m a d e i t n e c e s s a r y t o u s e t h e o c c u p a t io n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n
sh o w n b y th e d a ta fro m th e S tu d y o f C o n su m e r P u r 
chases.

75

Ta bl e 10A . —

C o m p a r is o n o f to ta l n u m b e r o f f a m i l i e s i n th e p o p u 
la tio n a n d n u m b e r o f fa m i l ie s i n in c o m e s a m p le f r o m S t u d y o f
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , 1 b y r e g i o n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y ,2 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

F a m ilie s in s a m p le
R e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n i ty

N u m ber

N e w E n g la n d :
L a r g e c i ti e s ____
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _
S m a ll c iti e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A l l u r b a n c o m m u n i tie s

W e ig h ts fo r C o m p o n e n t G r o u p s

o f F a m i l i e s a s R e l a t e d t o F a m i l i e s in S a m p l e

T h e n u m b e r s o f f a m ilie s in c l u d e d i n t h e s a m p le
in c o m e d a t a f r o m t h e v a r io u s re g io n s a n d t y p e s o f
c o m m u n i t y , a n d f r o m t h e d if f e r e n t c o lo r - n a ti v it y
g r o u p s a r e s h o w n i n t a b l e s 1 0A a n d l l A i n r e l a t i o n to
t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s in t h e p o p u la t io n . A s
t a b l e 1 0 A in d ic a te s , t h e t o t a l in c o m e s a m p le c o m p r is e d
s l i g h tl y le s s t h a n 1 p e r c e n t o f a ll fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i te d
19 F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p p . 5 3 -5 4 .
20 T h e d i s tr ib u t io n s fo r s a m p le c o m m u n i tie s o f t h e s a m e d e g r e e o f u r b a n iz a tio n in
e a c h r eg io n w e r e a v e r a g e d to o b ta in th e p e rc e n ta g e s u s e d . U r b a n fa m ilie s w e r e c la s s i
fie d i n t o o n l y s e v e n o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s . F a r m fa m ilie s c o n s ti tu te d t h e e ig h th
o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p m e n ti o n e d a b o v e . S e e p . 44.

...

R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I arm s_______

___

A ll ru r a l c o m m u n it ie s ______ _ _ _ _ __ ___
A ll c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
N o r th C e n tr a l:
M e tr o p o lis e s ....
L a r g e c iti e s , _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c i t i e s . , . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _
A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _
R u ral n on farm ________________
F a rm s________
_

.

A l l ru ra l c o m m u n it ie s ...... ......... .
A l l c o m m u n it ie s ___ _______
S o u th :
L a rg e c it ie s ______ . . .
_ _ _ _ _ _ ..
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
. _________
S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R u r a l n o n fa r m __
F a r m s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ ___ _

...

P ercen t
o f a ll
fa m ilie s

574, 833
461, 201
439, 593

14,170
6, 998
3, 975

2. 47
1 .5 2
.9 0

1,475, 627

2 5 ,1 4 3

1. 70

322, 008
154, 237

1,99 9
543

. 62
.3 5

476, 245

2, 542

.5 3

1 ,9 5 1 ,8 7 2

27, 685

1 .4 2

3, 29 5,100
2, 535, 658
1, 694, 623
2, 507, 275

4 9 ,7 9 7
25, 810
18, 876
12, 263

1.51
1 .02
i . ii
.4 9

10,032, 656

106, 746

i.OG

2, 378, 288
2, 190, 761

6, 427
6, 142

.2 7
.2 8

4, 569, 049

12 ,569

.2 8

14, 601, 705

11 9,315

.8 2

1,354, 753
677, 643
1, 210, 764

2 0 ,4 1 2
16 ,069
7 ,8 4 2

1. 51
2. 37
.6 5

3. 24 3,160

44, 323

1 .37

2 ,0 8 2 ,5 1 3
3, 486, 189

7, 406
9, 728

.3 6
.2 8

A ll r u ra l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5, 568, 702

17,134

.31

A ll c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _

8 ,8 1 1 ,8 6 2

6 1 ,4 5 7

. 70

M o u n t a in a n d P la in s :
L a r g e c i t i e s _________
_____________
M id d le -s iz e d c i t i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c i t i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __________

217, 292
128, 739
369, 577

9, 387
10, 245
5, 295

4 .3 2
7. 96
1 .43

715, 608

24, 927

3. 48

5-13, 696
662, 587

2, 494
2, 889

.4 9
.4 4

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s ___

_______

R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ ___ _____
F a r m s _________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A l l r u ra l c o m m u n it ie s ______ _____

1,176, 283

5, 383

.4 6

A ll c o m m u n it ie s __

_________

1 ,89 1 ,89 1

30, 310

1 .6 0

P a c ific :
L a r g e c i t i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______ __ ________
M id d le -s iz e d c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c i t i e s . ____ _ _ _ _ _
__________

896, 794
228, 224
36 1,014

16, 746
11,547
5, 634

1 .87
5. 06
1. 56

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1,486, 032

3 3 ,9 27

2. 28

R u r a l n o n fa r m .... ................. ........................
F a rm s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
. .............. ......

383, 465
273, 430

4, 159
4, 051

1 .08
1 .48
1 .25

A l l r u r a l c o m m u n it ie s

P o p u la tio n

p o p u la tio n

, __

,

. . . ___

65 6,895

8, 210

2,14 2 , 927

4 2 ,1 3 7

1 .97

3, 295,
5 ,57 9 ,
3, 190,
4, 888,

100
330
430
223

49, 797
86, 525
63, 735
3 5 ,0 0 9

1.51
1 .55
2 .0 0
.7 2

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s ......................... __

1 6 ,95 3 ,08 3

235, 066

1 .39

R u r a l n o n fa r m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F a r m s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5 ,6 7 9 ,9 7 0
6 ,76 7 , 204

2 2 ,4 8 5
23, 353

.4 0
. 35

A l l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T o t a l U n i t e d S ta tes :
M e t r o p o lis e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _____ ______
L a r g e c i t i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d c i t,ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c it i e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______

A l l r u ra l c o m m u n it ie s

_____________

12, 44 7,174

4 5 ,8 3 8

.3 7

A l l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ ____

29, 400, 257

3 280, 904

.9 6

1 I n c lu d e s b o t h r e l ie f a n d n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s . E x c lu d e s th o s e fa m ilie s i n s a m p le
in c o m e d a ta fr o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s w h i c h w e re n o t u s e d in c o n s tr u c t
i n g t h e e s t im a te d in c o m e d i s tr ib u t io n s . S e e fo o tn o te 6, p . 57.
2 F o r d e fin it io n s o f r e g io n s a n d t y p e s o f c o m m u n it y , s e e p p . 42 -43.
3 I n c lu d e s 6,775 fa m ilie s w h i c h a re c o u n te d t w i c e b e ca u se o f t h e o c c a s io n a l b o r r o w in g
o f p a r t o f t h e c lip p e d or r e g u la r s a m p le d a t a fr o m o n e t y p e o f c o m m u n it y i n a r e g io n
for u s e i n c o n s tr u c tin g s a m p le d i s tr ib u ti o n s for a n o th e r t y p e o f c o m m u n it y i n th e
s a m e r e g io n . S e e fo o tn o te s to ta b le s 1A a n d 2 A .

76
S ta te s .

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

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2 p e r c e n t i n t h e P a c ific R e g io n .
I n g e n e r a l, t h e p e r c e n t o i c o v e ra g e w a s m g n e r i o r u r o a n m a n i o r r u r a l
c o m m u n itie s .
S a m p le in c o m e d a t a w e r e a v a ila b le f o r 2 p e r c e n t o f
t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f n a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l fa m ilie s i n
u r b a n c o m m u n itie s a n d 0 .4 p e r c e n t o f th o s e i n r u r a l
c o m m u n itie s . T h e p e r c e n t o f c o v e ra g e f o r N e g r o
n o r m a l fa m ilie s w a s a lm o s t 3 p e r c e n t i n S o u th e r n
u r b a n a n d a b o u t 0 .4 p e r c e n t i n S o u t h e r n r u r a l c o m 

Tabl e

11 A . — C o m p a r i s o n o f t o t a l n u m b e r o f f a m i l i e s i n t h e
p o p u la tio n a n d n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n in c o m e s a m p le fr o m S tu d y
o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , x b y c o lo r -n a tiv ity , r e g io n , a n d ty p e o f
c o m m u n ity ,2 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

A d ju s tm e n t fo r S o n s a n d D a u g h te rs

N o r N a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l ..

r a m ily

i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u l a t i o n b e t w e e n s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s a n d
f a m ily m e m b e r s to t a k e a c c o u n t o f th o s e s o n s a n d
d a u g h t e r s liv in g w i t h t h e i r p a r e n t s b u t p a y i n g f o r
b o a r d a n d lo d g in g a n d n o t p o o lin g t h e i r in c o m e s i n
t h e c o m m o n f a m ily f u n d .

A c c o rd in g t o

th e censu s

d e f in itio n o f t h e f a m ily , th e s e s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s a r e
fa m ily m e m b e r s ; a c c o r d in g to t h e d e f in itio n o f t h e
e c o n o m ic f a m i l y u s e d i n t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y t h e y a r e
c la s s ifie d a s s in g le in d i v i d u a l s , a lo n g w i t h o t h e r p e r s o n s
lo d g in g i n p r i v a t e h o m e s a n d m a i n t a i n i n g a n in d e p e n d e n t e c o n o m ic s t a t u s .
F ro m th e ta b u la tio n s of th e C o n su m e r P u rc h a s e s
S t u d y i t w a s p o s s ib le t o o b t a i n tw o i n d e p e n d e n t e s t im a te s of th e to ta l n u m b e r of su c h so n s a n d d a u g h te rs .
T h e firs t e s tim a te w as b a s e d o n d a ta o n th e a v e ra g e
n u m b e r o f s u c h s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s p e r f a m ily f o r
n a t i v e - w h i t e a n d N e g r o f a m ilie s c o n t a c t e d i n t h e
r e g u l a r s a m p le i n e a c h c o m m u n i t y c o v e r e d b y t h e
s t n d v . l i v averap-inp- t h e fig u r e s f o r c o m m u n itie s o f
th e sa m e ty p e , o n e a v e ra g e w a s o b ta in e d fo r e a c h ty p e
J
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J
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j &
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jt
m u n i t y . A t o t a l e s t i m a t e o f a p p r o x im a t e ly 5 0 0 ,0 0 0
in d e p e n d e n t so n s a n d d a u g h te rs w a s o b ta in e d b y th is
m e th o d .
T h e se c o n d e s tim a te w as b a s e d o n d a ta o n th e a v e ra g e
s iz e o f f a m ily , e x c lu d in g th e s e i n d e p e n d e n t s o n s a n d
d a u g h t e r s , f o r n a t i v e - w h i t e a n d N e g r o f a m ilie s i n t h e
r e g u l a r s a m p le i n e a c h c o m m u n i t y .
T h e s e fi g u r e s
w e r e a v e r a g e d a n d w e ig h te d , i n t h e s a m e m a n n e r a s t h e
d a ta o n a v e ra g e n u m b e r o f so n s a n d d a u g h te rs , to
y ie ld a n e s t im a t e o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f m e m b e r s o f

/

d a ta w e re n o t u s e d in th e p r e s e n t s t u d y .

S e e fo o tn o te

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47

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A s i n d i c a t e d e a r lie r i n t h e d is c u s s io n , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y
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o t h e r c o lo r f a m ilie s w e r e in c lu d e d o n ly m u r b a n
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lo w , a s i n d i c a t e d b y t a b l e 1 1 A .

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■ «

. 1I n c l“ d<;s b o t h r e lie f a n d n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s . E x c lu d e s th o s e fa m ilie s in s a m p le
in c o m e d a ta fr o m th e S tu d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s w h i c h w e re n o t u s e d in c o n s tr u c tln g th e e s tim a t e d in c o m e d is t r ib u t io n s . S e e fo o tn o te 6 , p . 57.
2 F o r d e fin i ti o n s o f r e g io n s a n d t y p e s o f c o m m u n it y , s e e p p . 42-43.
/ I n c l u d e s 6,775 fa m ilie s w h i c h a re c o u n te d t w i c e b e c a u s e o f t h e o c c a s io n a l b o r ro w in g
o f p a r t o f t h e c lip p e d or r e g u la r s a m p le d a t a fr o m o n e t y p e o f c o m m u n it y i n a r eg ion
for u s e i n c o n s tr u c t i n g s a m p l e d is tr ib u ti o n s for a n o th e r t y p e o f c o m m u n it y in t h e
s a m e r e g io n . S e e fo o tn o t e s to ta b le s 1A a n d 2 A .
e c o n o m ic f a m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
T h is t o t a l , s u b t r a c t e d f r o m t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f fa m ily
m e m b e r s e s t i m a t e d f r o m t h e c e n s u s d a t a , g a v e a fig u r e
o f a p p r o x im a t e ly 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 , r e p r e s e n t i n g r o u g h ly t h e
n u m b e r o f so n s a n d d a u g h te rs n o t m e m b e rs o f econ o m ic fa m ilie s .
S in c e b o t h e s t im a t e s w e r e o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e s a m e
s a m p le d a t a , i t s e e m e d a d v i s a b l e t o g iv e t h e m e q u a l
w e ig h t. T h e fig u r e o f 4 0 0 ,0 0 0 — m id w a y b e tw e e n t h e
tw o e s t i m a t e s — w a s th e r e f o r e u s e d t o m a k e t h e a d j u s t m e n t i n t h e d iv is io n o f t h e p o p u la t io n b e tw e e n f a m i l y

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

m e m b e r s a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls . T h e n u m b e r o f s in g le
in d i v i d u a l s e s t i m a t e d f r o m t h e c e n s u s d a t a w a s i n 
c re a s e d b y 4 0 0 ,0 0 0 , a n d t h e n u m b e r o f f a m ily m e m b e r s
d e c r e a s e d b y 4 0 0 ,0 0 0 .
A v e r a g e S iz e o f F a m ily

T h e a v e r a g e siz e o f a ll n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s a n d th e
a v e r a g e s iz e o f a ll r e lie f fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S ta t e s
w e r e e s t i m a t e d o n t h e b a s is o f t h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f f a m 
ilie s i n th e s e g r o u p s in c l u d e d i n t h e r e g u l a r s a m p le s
f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . T h e fig u r e s o n
a v e r a g e s iz e o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n s a m p le c o m m u n itie s
o f t h e s a m e t y p e w i t h i n e a c h r e g io n w e r e a v e r a g e d , e a c h
c o m m u n i t y b e in g g iv e n e q u a l w e ig h t, t o o b t a i n t h e
- e s tim a te d a v e r a g e s iz e o f f a m ily i n e a c h t y p e o f c o m 
m u n i t y w it h i n e a c h re g io n . T h e r e s u l ti n g a v e r a g e s
w e re w e ig h te d b y t h e n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n e a c h t y p e o f
c o m m u n i t y w i t h i n e a c h r e g io n i n o r d e r t o c a lc u la t e t h e
a v e r a g e s iz e o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s i n e a c h t y p e o f c o m 
m u n i t y a n d t h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f a ll n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s in
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . T h e s a m e p r o c e d u r e w a s fo llo w e d
t o o b t a i n a n e s t i m a t e o f t h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f a ll re lie f
fa m ilie s .
I n t h e c a s e o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s , i t w a s a ls o d e s ire d
t o e s t i m a t e t h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f f a m ily f o r e a c h fa m ily s iz e g r o u p — i. e ., f a m ilie s o f t h r e e a n d f o u r p e r s o n s ,
o f fiv e a n d s ix p e r s o n s , a n d o f s e v e n a n d o v e r p e r s o n s .
A s a f i r s t s t e p , t h e a v e r a g e s iz e f o r e a c h o f th e s e g ro u p s ,
a s c o m p u t e d f r o m t h e 193 0 C e n s u s , a n d o f tw o -p e r s o n
f a m ilie s w a s w e ig h te d b y t h e n u m b e r o f n o n re lie f
fa m ilie s i n e a c h f a m ily - s iz e g r o u p t o c a lc u la t e t h e a v e r 
a g e s iz e o f a ll n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s . T h e r e s u l t o b t a in e d
(3 .8 7 ) w a s l a r g e r t h a n t h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f n o n r e lie f
f a m ilie s s h o w n b y t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s d a t a (3 .8 5 ).
T h is w a s a c c o u n t e d f o r b y t h e f a c t t h a t t h e c e n s u s
fig u r e s w e r e n o t c o n fin e d t o n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s , w h o s e
a v e r a g e s iz e is w e ll b e lo w t h a t f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s , a n d
a ls o , t h a t t h e c e n s u s fig u r e s i n c lu d e t h e i n d e p e n d e n t
s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s w h o w e re n o t m e m b e r s o f th e
e c o n o m ic f a m ily . I n a d d i ti o n , t h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f
fa m ily h a s d e c r e a s e d s l i g h tl y b e tw e e n 1 9 3 0 a n d 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
F o r th e s e r e a s o n s , t h e a v e r a g e s iz e w i t h i n e a c h fa m ily s iz e g r o u p (e x c e p t, o f c o u rs e , tw o - p e r s o n f a m ilie s ) w a s
lo w e re d s lig h tly , o n t h e a s s u m p ti o n t h a t t h e d iffe re n c e s
i n d e f in itio n o f f a m ily a n d i n y e a r w o u ld h a v e c a u s e d
t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f f o u r - p e r s o n fa m ilie s i n t h e t h r e e - to
f o u r - p e r s o n g r o u p , o f s ix - p e rs o n fa m ilie s i n t h e fiv e - to
s ix - p e rs o n g r o u p , a n d o f v e r y l a r g e f a m ilie s i n t h e
s e v e n - a n d o v e r - p e r s o n g r o u p t o b e s l i g h tl y lo w e r t h a n
t h e 1 9 3 0 C e n s u s fig u re s i n d i c a t e . T h e a d j u s t e d a v e r a g e
s iz e fig u r e s f o r e a c h fa m ily - s i z e g r o u p y ie ld e d a n e s t i 
m a t e d a v e r a g e f o r a ll n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s o f 3 .8 4 9 p e r s o n s ,
a n d f o r a ll r e lie f f a m ilie s o f 4 .4 7 2 . T h e e s t im a t e s o f
t h e a v e r a g e siz e o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n e a c h fa m ily -s iz e
g ro u p a re p re s e n te d in ta b le 4.

77

T h e a v e r a g e siz e o f n o n re lie f fa m ilie s i n e a c h t y p e
o f c o m m u n i t y w a s f i r s t e s t i m a t e d o n t h e b a s is o f t h e
d a t a f o r t h e a v e r a g e siz e o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s i n t h e
s a m p le c o m m u n itie s c o v e re d b y t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s . T h e s e a v e r a g e s w e r e a d j u s t e d s l i g h tl y to
b r in g t h e m i n t o lin e w i t h t h e a v e r a g e s iz e f o r a ll n o n 
re lie f fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a s e s t i m a t e d a b o v e .
T h e e s t i m a t e d a v e r a g e siz e f o r e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n ity
w a s t h e n c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e c o r r e s p o n d in g fig u r e f r o m
t h e c e n s u s d a t a , a s a d j u s t e d f o r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 . A g a in , t h e
c e n s u s d a t a w e re f o u n d t o b e h ig h e r , b e c a u s e th e y
in c lu d e d r e lie f fa m ilie s a s w e ll a s i n d e p e n d e n t s o n s a n d
d a u g h te r s . T h e c o m p a r is o n i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e e s t i 
m a t e d a v e r a g e s iz e o f n o n r e lie f f a r m fa m ilie s d e r iv e d
f r o m t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s d a t a w a s o u t o f l in e w ith
t h e e s t im a t e s f o r o t h e r t y p e s o f c o m m u n ity . A s a
r e s u l t o f t h i s c o m p a ri s o n , t h e e s t im a t e o f t h e a v e r a g e
size o f f a m ily i n t h i s g r o u p w a s r e d u c e d s lig h tly . T h e
fin a l e s t im a t e s o f t h e a v e r a g e s iz e o f f a m ily i n e a c h
t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y a r e p r e s e n t e d i n t a b l e 7.
E s t im a t e d N u m b e r o f
S in g le In d iv id u a ls

A n e s t i m a t e o f t h e n u m b e r o f s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s i n
t h e p o p u la t io n i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 w a s n e c e s s a r y f o r t w o p u r 
p o s e s : f ir s t, t o s e p a r a t e s in g le in d i v i d u a l s f r o m m e m b e r s
o f fa m ilie s ; a n d s e c o n d , t o d e t e r m i n e t h e p o p u la t io n
w e ig h ts t o b e a p p lie d a g a i n s t t h e s a m p le in c o m e d i s t r i 
b u t i o n s f o r s in g le m e n a n d s in g le w o m e n i n t h e v a r io u s
o c c u p a t io n a l g ro u p s .
A s i n d i c a t e d e a r li e r i n t h i s s e c ti o n , i t w a s a s s u m e d
t h a t t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s a n d fa m ily
m e m b e r s i n t h e t o t a l p o p u la t io n a n d i n t h e f a r m p o p u la 
t i o n w e re t h e s a m e a s th o s e s h o w n b y t h e 1 930 C e n s u s
d a t a . 22 T h e n u m b e r o f s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s i n e a c h t y p e
o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n e a c h o f t h e fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s
in 1 930 w a s c a lc u la t e d b y a d d i n g t o g e t h e r t h e c e n s u s
d a t a f o r t h e fo llo w in g t y p e s o f i n d i v i d u a l s : O n e -p e rs o n
fa m ilie s , n u m b e r i n g 2 ,3 5 7 ,4 6 3 i n t h e t o t a l U n i t e d
S t a t e s ; lo d g e r s a n d s e r v a n t s i n p r i v a t e fa m ilie s , e s t i 
m a t e d a t 5 ,7 9 3 ,1 7 5 ; 23 a n d m e m b e r s o f t h e fo llo w in g
q u a s i- f a m ily g r o u p s 24— in d i v i d u a l s l iv in g i n h o te ls ,
4 2 7 ,9 0 4 ; t h o s e liv in g i n b o a r d i n g a n d lo d g in g h o u s e s ,
4 7 1 ,1 2 5 ; th o s e liv in g i n s c h o o ls , 1 6 6 ,9 1 0 ; a n d m e m b e r s
22 S e e p . 71.
23 T h e c e n s u s p r o v id e s d a ta o n t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s h a v in g lo d g e rs a n d th e
n u m b e r o f lo d g e rs p e r fa m ily . T h e to t a l n u m b e r o f lo d g e r s i n th e s e fa m ilie s (4,901,193)
w a s o b t a in e d b y m u lt i p ly in g t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s h a v in g o n e lo d g e r b y o n e , th o s e

h a v in g t w o lo d g e r s b y t w o , e t c . H o u s e h o l d s h a v in g m o r e t h a n 1 0 lo d g e rs a r e c o n 
s id e r ed lo d g in g h o u s e s a n d a r e c la ss ifie d a s q u a s i -fa m i ly g r o u p s
S in c e t h e a b o v e
d a ta o n lo d g e r s w e r e c la ss ifie d o n l y fo r fa r m , r u ra l n o n fa r m , to t a l la r g e c it i e s a n d
m e tr o p o lis e s , a n d t o t a l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s , u r b a n lo d g e rs o u t s id e o f m e tr o p o lis e s
a n d la r g e c i ti e s w e r e d i v id e d b e tw e e n m id d l e -s iz e d a n d s m a ll c i ti e s o n a n a r b itra r y
b a s is . T h e to t a l n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s w i t h s e r v a n t s i n 1930 w a s 52 3,922. S e e P o p u l a 
ti o n C e n s u s , v o l . V I , ta b le 3 4 . T h e e s t im a te for s e r v a n ts a n d lo d g e r s c o m b i n e d w a s
r a ise d b y a p p r o x im a te ly 300,000 t o a llo w fo r s e r v a n t s a n d lo d g e r s i n p r iv a te h o m e s
h a v in g b o t h s e r v a n t s a n d lo d g e rs — in fo r m a tio n w h i c h i s n o t g iv e n i n t h e c e n s u s d a t a .
T h e d i v is io n b y t y p e o f c o m m u n it y w a s p a r tia lly e s t im a t e d , a s i n t h e c a s e o f lo d g e rs
2i T h e r e m a in in g q u a s i-fa m ily g r ou p s w e r e tr e a te d a s in s titu t io n a l g r o u p s

78
o f o t h e r q u a s i- f a m il y g ro u p s , 8 7 ,5 6 1 . T h e l a s t g r o u p
in c lu d e s l ig h th o u s e k e e p e rs , c o a s t g u a r d s t a t i o n m e n ,
a n d r e s i d e n t s o f f r a t e r n it i e s , m o n a s te r ie s , p rio r ie s , b u s i
n e s s w o m e n ’s a n d m e n ’s c lu b s , Y . M . C . A .’s, a n d
Y . W . C . A .’s .25
T h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f s in g le i n d iv id u a ls i n t h e U n i te d
S t a t e s i n 1930 w a s e s t im a t e d a t 9 ,3 0 4 ,1 3 8 . O f t h i s
n u m b e r , 1 ,1 0 6 ,7 5 2 w e r e e s t i m a t e d t o b e l o n g t o t h e f a r m
p o p u la t io n . O n t h e b a s is o f th e s e e s t im a t e s t h e p r o p o r 
t i o n o f s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s i n t h e t o t a l p o p u la t io n i n 1930
w a s c a lc u la t e d a s 7 .7 p e r c e n t a n d t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f
s in g le in d i v i d u a l s i n t h e f a r m p o p u la t io n a s 3 .7 p e r c e n t.
T h e s e p e r c e n ta g e s w e r e a p p lie d a g a i n s t t h e e s t im a t e d
t o t a l p o p u la t io n a n d t h e e s t i m a t e d f a r m p o p u la t io n in
1 9 3 5 -3 6 t o o b t a i n t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f s in g le in d iv id u a ls
i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i n 1 9 3 5 -3 6 a n d t h e t o t a l n u m b e r
i n t h e f a r m p o p u la t io n . T h e s e fig u r e s w e r e t h e n s u b 
t r a c t e d f r o m t h e t o t a l p o p u la t io n i n e a c h g r o u p to
o b t a i n t h e e s t i m a t e d n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s i n c e n s u s f a m i
lie s o f tw o o r m o r e p e r s o n s . T h e a d j u s t m e n t f o r s o n s
a n d d a u g h t e r s liv in g a t h o m e b u t n o t m e m b e r s o f th e
e c o n o m ic f a m i l y i n c r e a s e d t h e n u m b e r o f s in g le in d i 
v id u a l s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s b y 4 0 0 ,9 0 0 a n d c o r re 
s p o n d in g ly r e d u c e d t h e n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s i n fa m ilie s .
P o p u l a t i o n w e ig h ts f o r t h e v a r io u s s a m p le in c o m e
d i s t r i b u t i o n s c o n s t r u c te d f o r s in g le in d i v i d u a l s w e re
o b t a in e d b y s u b d iv id in g t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f s in g le
i n d i v i d u a l s i n t o n in e c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s , a s fo llo w s :
N o n r e lie f w o m e n i n t h r e e o c c u p a t io n a l g r o u p s , n o n -r e lie f
m e n i n f o u r o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s , s in g le w o m e n t h a t h a d
re c e iv e d r e lie f a n d s in g le m e n t h a t h a d r e c e iv e d re lie f.

Single Individuals by Relief Status
T h e d iv is io n o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s b y r e lie f s t a t u s w a s
m a d e o n t h e b a s is o f t h e s a m p le d a t a f o r s in g le i n d iv id 
u a ls c o lle c te d i n t h e N a t i o n a l H e a l t h S u r v e y . E s t i 
m a t e s o f t h e p e r c e n t o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s o n r e lie f in
e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w it h i n e a c h r e g io n w e r e c a lc u 
la t e d f r o m t h e s e d a t a b y m e t h o d s s im ila r to th o s e u s e d
i n c a lc u la t in g t h e r e lie f p e r c e n t s f o r f a m ilie s f r o m t h e
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s d a t a . 26 T h e r e s u l ti n g p e r c e n ts
w e r e a p p lie d t o t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s i n
e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y w i t h i n e a c h re g io n t o o b t a i n
t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f s in g le in d i v i d u a l s r e c e iv in g a n y
f o r m o f r e lie f d u r i n g 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .

Single Individuals by Sex
T h e d iv is io n o f t h e s in g le i n d i v i d u a l p o p u la t io n a s
b e tw e e n m e n a n d w o m e n w a s n o t a v a ila b le d ir e c tly
fro m c e n su s d a ta . I t w a s th e re fo re n e c e ssa ry to e s ti
m a t e t h e p r o p o r t i o n s o f s in g le m e n a n d s in g le w o m e n
o n t h e b a s is o f 193 0 C e n s u s fig u r e s f o r u n m a r r i e d o r
25 D i v is i o n o f th e q u a s i-fa m ily g r o u p s b y t y p e o f c o m m u n it y w i th in ea c h reg ion w a s
p a r t ia lly e s t im a t e d . I t w a s a s s u m e d t h a t th e r e w e r e n o s u c h q u a s i-f a m ily g r o u p s in
t h e fa r m p o p u la tio n .
26 F o r e x p la n a t i o n , s e e p p . 73-74.

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

d iv o rc e d g a in f u l w o r k e r s o f e a c h se x . T h e u s e o f s u c h
d a t a f o r e s t im a t i n g t h e s e x b r e a k f o r u n a t t a c h e d i n d i 
v id u a l s a s d e f in e d b y t h i s s t u d y is , o f c o u rs e , o p e n t o
s e rio u s o b je c tio n . T h e c e n s u s c la s s if ic a tio n “ g a in f u l
w o r k e r s ” in c lu d e s a ll p e r s o n s w h o u s u a l l y fo llo w a g a i n 
fu l o c c u p a tio n , e v e n t h o u g h t h e y w e r e n o t e m p lo y e d a t
t h e tim e t h e c e n s u s w a s t a k e n , b u t i t d o e s n o t in c lu d e
u n e m p lo y a b le p e r s o n s o r th o s e in d i v i d u a l s t h a t h a v e n o
g a in f u l o c c u p a tio n .
E v e n m o r e s e ri o u s t h a n t h e o m is s io n o f th e s e l a t t e r
g ro u p s is t h e d is c r e p a n c y b e tw e e n t h e c la s s if ic a tio n o f
u n m a r r i e d o r d iv o r c e d m e n a n d w o m e n a n d s in g le i n d i 
v id u a l s a s d e f in e d i n t h i s s t u d y . T h e o n ly ju s t i f i c a t i o n
f o r t h e p r o c e d u r e fo llo w e d w a s t h e a b s e n c e o f m o r e
s a t is f a c t o r y d a t a , a n d t h e p o s s ib ility o f c h e c k in g t h e
r e s u l ts a g a i n s t t h e r e l a t i v e n u m b e r o f in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s
file d b y m e n a n d w o m e n w h o w e r e e i t h e r s in g le o r n o t
liv in g w i t h h u s b a n d o r w ife a n d n o t h e a d s o f fa m ilie s .
T h e n u m b e r o f g a in f u l w o m e n w o r k e r s w h o w e r e u n 
m a r r ie d o r d iv o r c e d w a s a v a ila b le d ir e c t ly f r o m t h e
1930 C e n s u s f o r a g e g ro u p s f r o m 15 y e a r s a n d o v e r .27
I t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o e s t i m a t e t h e n u m b e r o f g a in f u l m e n
w o r k e r s w h o w e r e u n m a r r i e d o r d iv o r c e d b y a p p l y i n g to
t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f g a in f u l m e n w o r k e r s i n e a c h a g e
g r o u p t h e p e r c e n t o b t a in e d b y d iv id in g t h e t o t a l n u m b e r
o f u n m a r r i e d a n d d iv o r c e d m e n i n t h a t a g e g r o u p (in 
c lu d in g t h o s e w i t h o u t a n y g a in f u l o c c u p a tio n ) b y t h e
t o t a l n u m b e r o f m e n i n t h e p o p u la t io n . T h e r a t i o o f
u n m a r r i e d o r d iv o r c e d g a in f u l w o m e n w o r k e r s t o u n 
m a r r ie d o r d iv o r c e d g a in f u l m e n w o r k e r s fin a lly o b t a in e d
w a s a p p r o x im a t e ly 3 5 t o 6 5.
T h is r a t i o w a s c h e c k e d a g a i n s t t h e r e l a t i v e n u m b e r
o f in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s file d f o r 1 935 b y s in g le w o m e n a n d
m a r r ie d w o m e n n o t liv in g w i t h t h e i r h u s b a n d s a n d b y
s in g le m e n a n d m a r r ie d m e n n o t l iv in g w i t h t h e i r w iv e s .
T h e r e l a t i v e p r o p o r t io n s o f r e t u r n s f o r t h e s e tw o g ro u p s
f o r a ll in c o m e c la s s e s c o m b in e d w e r e 39 t o 6 1. S in c e
t h e p r o p o r t io n o f w o m e n t o m e n r o s e g r a d u a ll y f r o m th e
lo w e r t o t h e h ig h e r in c o m e b r a c k e ts , i t w a s a s s u m e d
t h a t t h e in c lu s io n o f s in g le i n d iv id u a ls w ith in c o m e s
b e lo w t h e in c o m e t a x le v e l w o u ld p r o b a b l y h a v e r e d u c e d
t h e p r o p o r t io n o f w o m e n s o m e w h a t.
T h e r a t i o o f r e lie f s in g le w o m e n t o re lie f s in g le m e n
w a s ,a c c e p te d a s 4 t o 9 , o r a p p r o x im a t e ly 31 to 6 9 p e r 
c e n t o n t h e b a s is o f fin d in g s f r o m tw o s u r v e y s o f th e
r e lie f p o p u la t io n : O n e , t h e O c to b e r 1933 r e lie f c e n s u s
t a k e n b y t h e F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y R e li e f A d m i n i s t r a 
t io n a n d , tw o , a s u r v e y o f u r b a n w o r k e r s o n re lie f in
79 c itie s d u r in g M a y 1 9 3 4 .28
27 P o p u la tio n C e n s u s 1930, v o l. I V , ta b le 27. T h e fig u r e u s e d in c lu d e d a s m a ll
n u m b e r o f w o m e n w h o s e m a r ita l c o n d i tio n w a s u n k n o w n .
28 F . E . R . A . , U n e m p l o y m e n t R e lie f C e n s u s , O c to b e r 1933, R e p o r t N o . 3, ta b le 1,
p . 35. W . P . A . D i v is i o n o f S o c ia l R e s e a r ch , U r b a n W o r k er s o n R e lie f, p t. 2, A p 
p e n d ix C , t a b le 3, p . 74. T h e 1933 c e n s u s s h o w e d th e 4 to 9 r a tio for u n a tta c h e d m e n
a n d w o m e n r e c e iv in g r e lie f. T h e l a tt e r s u r v e y , c o v e r in g o n l y u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s ,
i n d i c a te d t h a t 36 p e r c e n t o f th e o n e -p e rs o n c a s es r e c e iv in g r e lie f d u r in g M a y 1934 w e re
w o m e n a n d 64 p e r c en t w e r e m e n .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

I n t h e l ig h t o f t h e a v a ila b le e v id e n c e c o n s id e re d
a b o v e , i t w a s d e c id e d t o u s e t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f 35 to
6 5 , s h o w n i n t a b l e 3 4 B , f o r d iv id in g t h e t o t a l n u m b e r
o f s in g le i n d iv id u a ls b y sex .

Nonrelief Single Individuals
by Occupational Group
I n a s m u c h a s n o d ir e c t i n f o r m a tio n w a s a v a ila b le
c o n c e rn in g t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f s in g le m e n a n d s in g le
w o m e n b y o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s i t w a s n e c e s s a ry t o r e ly
o n d a t a f o r g a in f u l w o r k e r s i n t h e p o p u la t io n a s a b a s is
f o r c la s s if y in g n o n r e lie f s in g le x nen a n d n o n re lie f s in g le
w o m e n i n t o t h e o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s fo r w h ic h p e r 
c e n t a g e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s .w e r e p r e p a r e d .
T h e c la s s if ic a tio n o f m e n a n d w o m e n g a in f u l w o rk e rs
p r e p a r e d b y A lb a M . E d w a r d s f r o m 1930 C e n s u s d a t a

79

w a s u s e d to d e te r m in e t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f w o m e n in
e a c h o f t h e t h r e e o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s-—w a g e -e a r n in g ,
c le ric a l, a n d t h e b u s in e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l— a n d t h e
p r o p o r t io n s o f m e n i n th e s e o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s a n d
i n f a r m in g .29 B y a p p ly in g th e s e s a m e p r o p o r t io n s to
t h e t o t a l n u m b e r s o f n o n re lie f s in g le m e n a n d s in g le
w o m e n , t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts w e r e o b t a in e d f o r t h e
t h r e e s a m p le in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f s in g le
w o m e n a n d t h e f o u r d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r n o n r e lie f s in g le
m e n . N o b r e a k - d o w n o f re lie f s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s b y
o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p w a s n e e d e d s in c e t h e r e lie f d is 
t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le m e n a n d f o r s in g le w o m e n w e r e
fo r a ll o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s c o m b in e d .
29

S e e , E d w a r d s , A lb a M . , A S o c i a l E c o n o m i c G r o u p i n g o f t h e G a i n f u l W o r k e r s o f

t h e U n i t ' d S t a l e s , J o u r n a l o f t h e A m e r ic a n S ta tis tic a l A s s o c ia tio n , D e c e m b e r 1933,

PP- 377-337.

SECTI ON

7. ADJU STM EN T OF I N CO M E

BY D A T A

FROM

I N CO M E T A X

D e s p i te t h e r a n d o m s a m p lin g m e t h o d s e m p lo y e d in
t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , fa m ilie s w i t h h ig h
in c o m e s w e r e f o u n d to b e s o m e w h a t u n d e r r e p r e s e n t e d
in t h e n u m b e r o f f a m ily s c h e d u le s a c t u a l l y c o lle c te d .
T h is w a s d u e p a r t l y t o t h e f a c t t h a t m a n y o f t h e h ig h
in c o m e f a m ilie s w e re a w a y f r o m t h e i r r e g u l a r p la c e s o f
r e s id e n c e d u r in g t h e s c h e d u li n g p e r io d a n d c o u ld n o t b e
c o n t a c t e d b y t h e fie ld in te r v ie w e r s , a n d p a r t l y t o t h e
h ig h p e r c e n ta g e o f re f u s a ls a m o n g th o s e c o n t a c t e d .
B e c a u s e o f t h i s u n d e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n a t t h e h ig h
in c o m e le v e ls , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o a d j u s t t h e in c o m e
d i s t r i b u t i o n s b o t h f o r f a m ilie s a n d f o r s in g le i n d iv id u a ls
t o a llo w f o r a h ig h e r p r o p o r t i o n o f c o n s u m e r u n i t s i n t h e
u p p e r b r a c k e ts . T h is a d j u s t m e n t w a s m a d e o n t h e
b a s is o f d a t a f r o m F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s f o r t h e
c a le n d a r y e a r s 193 5 a n d 1 936.
In c o m e T a x D a t a A v a i l a b l e
fo r

1935 a n d 1936

T a b u l a t i o n s o f t h e 1 935 d a t a , w h ic h w ill b e p u b 
lis h e d i n t h e S t a t i s t i c s o f I n c o m e f o r 1 935, w e r e re le a s e d
b y t h e B u r e a u o f I n t e r n a l R e v e n u e i n t h e fo llo w in g
p r e li m i n a r y p h o t o s t a t e d t a b l e s : 1

‘‘Ta bl e 5.—
by

sex

I n d iv id u a l r e tu r n s f o r 1 9 3 5 b y n e t in c o m e c la s s e s a n d

a n d fa m ily

r e la tio n s h ip ,

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I n d iv id u a l

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c la s s e s ,

s h o w in g s o u r c e s o f in c o m e , d e d u c tio n s , a n d n e t in c o m e , a ls o to ta l
n u m b e r o f r e tu r n s a n d , f o r r e tu r n s o f n e t in c o m e o f $ 5 ,0 0 0

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an d

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( u n n u m b e r e d ) .— W h o lly a n d p a r tia lly ta x -e x e m p t o b lig a 

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b y n a tu r e o f o b lig a tio n s a n d n e t in c o m e c la s s e s ."

1 T h e d a ta c o n ta in e d in th e fir st th r e e ta b le s a r e c o m p a r a b le to th o s e for 1934 a p p ea r 
i n g i n b a s ic ta b le s w i t h th e s a m e n u m b e r s a n d ti tl e s i n S t a t is t ic s o f I n c o m e for 1934,
p t . I , U . S . T r e a s u r y D e p a r tm e n t, B u r e a u o f I n te r n a l R e v e n u e . T h e ta b le o n
w h o ll y a n d p a r tia lly ta x -e x e m p t o b lig a tio n s c o r r es p o n d s to th e te x t ta b le o f th e sa m e
t i t le a p p e a r in g o n p p . 18 a n d 19 o f th e 1934 r e p o r t, U . S. T r e a s u r y D e p a r t m e n t, B u r e a u
o f I n te r n a l R e v e n u e , S ta tis tic s o f I n c o m e for 1934, p t. I.

80

D I STRI BU TI O N S
RETU RN S

P r e li m i n a r y s t a t i s t i c s o f in d i v i d u a l in c o m e ta x
r e t u r n s f o r 193 6 file d i n t h e p e r io d t h r o u g h J a n u a r y A u g u s t 1 937 w e r e a v a ila b le , i n le s s d e t a il e d fo rm , f r o m
tw o p re s s re le a s e s is s u e d b y t h e T r e a s u r y D e p a r t m e n t
in F e b r u a r y a n d i n M a r c h 1 938. T h e s e re le a s e s g a v e ,
fo r a ll t y p e s o f in d i v i d u a l r e t u r n s c o m b in e d , t h e
n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s , n e t in c o m e , s o u r c e s o f in c o m e a n d
d e d u c tio n s , c la ss ifie d b y b r o a d e r in c o m e i n t e r v a l s t h a n
w e re u s e d i n t h e 1935 t a b u l a t i o n s m e n ti o n e d a b o v e .
T h e 193 5 in c o m e t a x d a t a f o r r e t u r n s w i t h n e t i n 
c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r w e r e t a b u l a t e d i n t o 3 4 in c o m e
c la ss e s, a s fo llo w s : T e n $ 1 ,0 0 0 i n t e r v a l s b e tw e e n $ 5 ,0 0 0
a n d $ 1 5 ,0 0 0 ; t h r e e $ 5 ,0 0 0 i n t e r v a l s , s e v e n $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 i n 
te r v a l s , f o u r $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 in t e r v a l s , tw o $ 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 i n t e r v a l s ,
a n d tw o $ 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 i n t e r v a l s b e tw e e n $ 1 5 ,0 0 0 a n d
$ 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 ; six in c o m e i n t e r v a l s , r a n g in g f r o m $ 5 0 0 ,0 0 0
to $ 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 i n w id th , b e tw e e n $ 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 a n d
$ 5 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 ; a n d o n e o p e n in c o m e i n t e r v a l f o r in c o m e s
o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r.
A lth o u g h t h e d a t a f r o m in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s w e r e t o
b e u se d to c o rre c t th e e s tim a te d d is trib u tio n s b a s e d o n
s a m p le d a t a o n ly a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y , i n
a d j u s t i n g t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a to r e n d e r i t c o m p a r a b le
w it h th e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a u s e d i n t h e s t u d y , t o m a k e
u s e o f th e d a t a f o r in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s b e lo w $ 7 ,5 0 0 .
S in c e s e v e r a l o f t h e a d j u s t m e n t s i n v o lv e d t h e s h if ti n g
o f r e t u r n s a n d o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e f r o m o n e in c o m e
le v e l to a h ig h e r le v e l, i t w a s p o s s ib le t o o b t a i n a s a t i s 
f a c to r y in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 o n ly b y c a r r y 
in g t h r o u g h t h e a d j u s t m e n t f o r t h e e n t i r e in c o m e
r a n g e a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0 .2
A c c o rd in g ly , t h e a d j u s t m e n t s o f t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a
w e r e c a r r i e d t h r o u g h o n t h e b a s is o f t h e fu ll in c o m e
c la s s if ic a tio n , a l t h o u g h t h e d a t a f o r t h e in c o m e i n t e r 
v a ls b e lo w $ 7 ,5 0 0 w e r e d r o p p e d o u t o f t h e fin a l d is 
tr ib u tio n .3
2 A t o n e p o i n t, th e c o m b in in g o f th e in c o m e s o f h u s b a n d s a n d w i v e s m a k in g s e p a r a te
r e tu r n s , u s e w a s a lso m a d e o f th e d a ta in t h e in c o m e c la s se s j u s t b e lo w $5,000. S ee
p . 83.
3 T h e i n c o m e ta x c la ss in te r v a ls w e re c o m b in e d in to th e c l a s s i n t e r v a l s u s e d in th is
s t u d y w h e n n e t in c o m e w a s a d ju s te d t o c o r r es p o n d w i t h in c o m e a s d e fin e d in t h i s
s t u d y . S e e p p . 82 -8 3 .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s
L im ita tio n s o í th e In c o m e T a x D a t a
f o r P u rp o s e s o f A d j u s t m e n t

B e f o r e t h e d a t a f r o m in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s c o u ld b e
u s e d i n a d j u s t i n g t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r fa m ilie s
a n d s in g le in d i v i d u a l s , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y , a s i n d i c a t e d i n
P a r t I I o f t h e r e p o r t , t o c a r r y t h r o u g h v a r io u s c o m b in a 
tio n s a n d a d j u s t m e n t s o f t h e d a t a t o r e n d e r t h e in c o m e
t a x d i s t r i b u t i o n s c o m p a r a b le t o t h o s e d e r iv e d f r o m t h e
s a m p le in c o m e d a t a u s e d i n t h i s s t u d y . T h e s e a d j u s t 
m e n t s c e n t e r e d a r o u n d f o u r m a i n p r o b le m s :
1 . C o m b in in g t h e d a t a fo r v a r io u s t y p e s o f in c o m e t a x
r e t u r n s a n d a d j u s t i n g t h e m t o o b t a i n d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r f a m i ly
u n i t s a n d fo r s in g le i n d iv id u a ls .
2 . A d j u s t i n g t h e n e t i n c o m e d a t a t o i n c lu d e t h e s a m e i te m s
o f i n c o m e in c l u d e d i n in c o m e a s d e fin e d i n t h i s s t u d y .
3 . A d j u s t i n g t h e 1 9 3 5 i n c o m e t a x d a t a t o a ll o w fo r t h e e ff e c ts
o f t h e i n c r e a s e d n a t i o n a l i n c o m e d u r in g t h e fi s c a l y e a r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
4 . A d j u s t i n g t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a t o a ll o w fo r t h e n o n r e p o r t
i n g o f t h o s e n o t fi lin g r e tu r n s , a n d fo r t h e u n d e r s t a t e m e n t o f
in c o m e b y t h o s e t h a t d id file .

T h e d e t a il e d s t e p s i n v o lv e d i n m a k in g th e s e v a r io u s
a d j u s t m e n t s o f t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a a r e d e s c r ib e d in
t h i s s e c tio n o f t h e a p p e n d ix . I t s h o u ld b e n o t e d t h a t
t h e s e q u e n c e o f t h e v a r io u s s t e p s d e p e n d e d t o s o m e
e x t e n t o n t h e n a t u r e o f t h e a v a ila b le s t a t i s t i c a l d a t a
a n d h e n c e d o e s n o t c o r r e s p o n d e x a c t ly t o t h e g e n e r a l
g r o u p in g g iv e n a b o v e .
I n t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f t h e s e c ti o n a r e d e s c r ib e d t h e
m e t h o d s u s e d i n c o r r e c ti n g t h e n a t i o n a l in c o m e d i s t r i 
b u t i o n s f o r f a m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i v i d u a l s b y m e a n s o f
t h e a d j u s t e d in c o m e t a x d a t a , a n d i n e x t e n d i n g th e s e
c o r r e c tio n s t o t h e d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r t h e v a r io u s c o m p o n 
e n t g ro u p s o f c o n su m e r u n its .
G r o u p i n g o f D a t a fo r

81

S in g le m e n a n d w o m e n n o t h e a d s o f fa m ilie s a n d o t h e r
i n d iv id u a ls filin g r e t u r n s c la s s ifie d i n g ro u p s 6 a n d 7
w e re a s s u m e d t o b e , f o r t h e m o s t p a r t , u n a t t a c h e d
in d i v i d u a l s w h o w e r e e i t h e r liv in g a lo n e , o r, i f l iv in g
w i t h o th e r s , w e r e m a i n t a i n i n g a s e p a r a t e e c o n o m ic
e x is t e n c e a n d n o t p o o lin g t h e i r in c o m e s i n a c o m m o n
f u n d . D a t a f r o m th e s e r e t u r n s w e r e u s e d , th e r e f o r e ,
to c o r r e c t t h e e s t i m a t e d in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r s in g le
m e n a n d s in g le w o m e n d e r iv e d f r o m s a m p le d a t a . A
d e s c r ip tio n o f t h e m e t h o d s u s e d i n a d j u s t i n g t h e in c o m e
t a x d a t a a n d i n c o r r e c ti n g t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s fo r
s in g le in d i v i d u a l s is g iv e n l a t e r i n t h i s s e c tio n .
T h e r e t u r n s c la ss ifie d i n g ro u p s 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5, a n d 8
a ll r e p r e s e n t e d r e t u r n s b y m e m b e r s o f fa m ilie s , a n d i t
w a s d e s ir e d t o c o m b in e th e s e i n t o a s in g le d is t r i b u t i o n
r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e in c o m e s o f f a m ily u n its .
T h e r e t u r n s i n g r o u p s 1, 4 , a n d 5 w e re c o m b in e d
d ir e c t ly , b y a d d in g t h e n u m b e r s a n d t h e n e t in c o m e a t
e a c h in c o m e le v e l.
B e fo re f u r t h e r c o m b in a tio n s c o u ld b e m a d e , a n u m b e r
o f i n t e r m e d i a t e s t e p s w e r e n e c e s s a ry — f ir s t, t h e d iv is io n
o f c o m m u n ity p ro p e rty re tu r n s to c o rre sp o n d to th e
s e p a ra te re tu r n s of h u s b a n d s a n d th e s e p a ra te re tu rn s
o f w iv e s , a n d t h e c o m b in a tio n o f t h e c o m m u n i t y p r o p 
e r t y r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d s a n d o f w iv e s w i t h t h e s e p a r a t e
r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d s a n d t h e s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s o f w iv e s ,
r e s p e c tiv e ly ; s e c o n d , t h e a d j u s t m e n t o f t h e in c o m e
d is t r i b u t i o n s fo r t h e v a r io u s g r o u p s f r o m a n e t in c o m e
b a s is t o o n e m o r e n e a r l y c o m p a r a b le to t h e d e f in iti o n o f
in c o m e u s e d i n t h i s s t u d y ; a n d t h i r d , t h e a d d i t i o n o f t h e
in c o m e s o f w iv e s m a k in g s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s ( in c lu d in g
c o m m u n i t y p r o p e r t y r e t u r n s ) t o t h e in c o m e s o f h u s 
b a n d s m a k in g s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s ( in c lu d in g c o m m u n i t y
p ro p e rty re tu rn s ).

V a r i o u s T y p e s o f R e tu rn s

I n d i v i d u a l in c o m e t a x d a t a o n n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s
a n d n e t in c o m e a r e c la ss ifie d b y t h e B u r e a u o f I n t e r n a l
R e v e n u e i n t o t h e fo llo w in g n in e g r o u p s :
1. J o in t r e tu r n s o f h u s b a n d s , w i v e s a n d d e p e n d e n t c h ild r e n ,
a n d r e t u r n s o f e it h e r h u s b a n d o r w i f e w h e n n o o th e r r e tu r n is
file d ,
2 . S e p a r a te r e tu r n s o f h u s b a n d s ,
3 . S e p a r a te r e tu r n s o f w i v e s ,
4 . M a le h e a d s o f f a m ili e s , in c lu d in g s in g le m e n a n d m a r r ie d
m e n n o t l i v i n g w i t h w iv e s ,
5 . F e m a le h e a d s o f fa m ili e s , in c lu d in g s in g le w o m e n a n d m a r 
r ie d w o m e n n o t l iv i n g w i t h h u s b a n d s ,
6. R e tu r n s o f s in g le m e n a n d m a r r ie d m e n n o t l i v i n g w i t h
w i v e s , n o t h e a d s o f fa m ili e s ,
7 . R e t u r n s o f s in g le w o m e n a n d m a r r ie d w o m e n n o t l iv i n g
w i t h h u s b a n d s , n o t h e a d s o f fa m ili e s ,
8 . C o m m u n it y p r o p e r ty r e tu r n s ,
9 . R e tu r n s o f e s t a t e s a n d tr u s ts .

T h e in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s file d f o r e s t a t e s a n d t r u s t s
w e r e e x c lu d e d f r o m f u r t h e r c o n s id e r a tio n i n a s m u c h a s
t h e y d i d n o t r e p r e s e n t t h e in c o m e o f e i t h e r fa m ilie s o r
s in g le i n d iv id u a ls a s d e fin e d in t h i s s t u d y .

D i v i s i o n o f C o m m u n i t y P r o p e r ty R e tu rn s
B e tw e e n H u s b a n d s a n d W iv e s

C o m m u n i t y p r o p e r t y r e t u r n s , file d b y r e s i d e n t s o f
o n ly a fe w S ta t e s , r e p r e s e n t e i t h e r j o i n t o r s e p a r a t e
r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d s a n d w iv e s d e r iv in g in c o m e f r o m
p r o p e r t y t h a t is j o i n t l y o w n e d . O n ly t h o s e j o i n t r e 
t u r n s w i t h n e t in c o m e o f $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 o r m o re , a n d s e p a r a t e
r e t u r n s w i t h n e t in c o m e o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 o r m o re , a r e t a b u l a t e d
b y th e B u re a u o f I n te r n a l R e v e n u e u n d e r th e c o m m u n ity
p r o p e r t y h e a d in g . J o i n t r e t u r n s o f c o m m u n i t y p r o p 
e r t y s h o w in g n e t in c o m e u n d e r $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d s e p a r a t e
r e t u r n s s h o w in g n e t in c o m e u n d e r $ 5 ,0 0 0 a r e c la s sifie d
e it h e r u n d e r j o i n t r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d s a n d w iv e s (g ro u p
1) o r u n d e r t h e r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d s o r w iv e s filin g
s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s (g ro u p s 2 a n d 3 ).
I n t a b u l a t i n g t h e j o i n t r e t u r n s f o r in c o m e s o f $ 1 0 ,0 0 0
o r o v e r, t h e B u r e a u d iv id e s t h e d a t a o n n e t in c o m e ,
d e d u c tio n s , e tc ., t o r e p r e s e n t s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s o f h u s 
b a n d a n d w ife . W h e n t h e r e t u r n d o e s n o t i n d i c a t e t h e
d iv is io n o f i te m s a s b e tw e e n h u s b a n d a n d w ife , t h e

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

82
d a t a a r e d iv i d e d e v e n ly , w i t h t h e n e t in c o m e c la s s f o r
e a c h r e t u r n e q u a l t o o n e - h a lf o f t h e c o m b in e d n e t
in c o m e o f t h e j o i n t r e t u r n . 4
S in c e t h e i n f o r m a ti o n c o n c e rn in g t h e a c t u a l p r o p o r 
tio n s o f h u s b a n d s ’ a n d w iv e s ’ c o m m u n i t y p r o p e r t y
r e t u r n s a t t h e v a r io u s in c o m e le v e ls w a s n o t a v a ila b le
fo r u s e i n t h i s s t u d y , t h e d a t a o n c o m m u n i t y p r o p e r t y
r e t u r n s w e r e d iv id e d b e tw e e n h u s b a n d s a n d w iv e s b y
a p p l y i n g t h e p r o p o r t io n s s h o w n a t t h e v a r io u s in c o m e
le v e ls f o r h u s b a n d s a n d w iv e s m a k in g s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s
a s c la s s ifie d i n g r o u p s 2 a n d 3 a b o v e .
T h e c o m m u n i t y p r o p e r t y r e t u r n s o f w iv e s w e r e t h e n
a d d e d , b y in c o m e le v e l, r o t h e s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s o f w iv e s ,
a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y p r o p e r t y r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d s to
th e s e p a ra te re tu r n s of h u sb a n d s.

Adjustments oí N e t I n c o m e
With I n c o m e as D e f i n e d in

to C o rre s p o n d
S tu d y

N o t in c o m e , a s d e fin e d f o r in c o m e t a x p u r p o s e s , o m its
c e r t a i n i t e m s t h a t a r e in c lu d e d w i t h i n in c o m e a s d e fin e d
i n t h i s s t u d y , a n d in c lu d e s n e t c a p i t a l g a in s w h ic h a r e
n o t in c lu d e d b y t h e s t u d y d e f in iti o n . T o p la c e t h e
in c o m e t a x d a t a o n a c o m p a r a b le b a s is w i t h t h e o t h e r
in c o m e d a t a i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o a d d , a t e a c h in c o m e
le v e l, t h e v a l u e o f c e r t a i n t y p e s o f in c o m e t h a t h a d b e e n
s u b t r a c t e d f r o m t h e g ro s s in c o m e a s d e d u c tio n s — i. e .,
c o n t r i b u t io n s , ta x e s p a i d , i n t e r e s t p a i d a n d “ o t h e r d e 
d u c t i o n s ” — a n d t o s u b t r a c t , a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l, t h e
v a lu e o f n e t c a p i t a l g a in s r e p o r t e d . I t w a s a ls o n e c e s 
s a r y t o a d d t o t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a t h e v a lu e o f i n t e r e s t
re c e iv e d f r o m s e c u r itie s t h a t a r e e x e m p t f r o m t a x a t i o n
a n d n o t in c lu d e d i n g ro s s in c o m e a c c o r d in g to t h e
R e v e n u e A c t o f 1 93 4 , u n d e r w h ic h t h e 1935 in c o m e
t a x r e t u r n s w e r e file d .5
S in c e t h e d a t a o n ta x - e x e m p t i n t e r e s t , d e d u c t i o n s a n d
c a p i t a l g a in s w e re n o t c la ss ifie d f o r e a c h o f t h e v a r io u s
ty p e s of re tu rn s , i t w as n e c e ssa ry to a c c e p t som e
a r b i t r a r y b a s is f o r a llo c a tin g t h e a g g r e g a te a m o u n t s o f
s u c h i te m s a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l a m o n g t h e fo llo w in g
g ro u p s o f r e t u r n s :
1. J o in t r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d s , w i v e s , a n d d e p e n d e n t c h ild r e n
a n d r e tu r n s o f e i t h e r h u s b a n d o r w i f e w h e n n o o t h e r r e tu r n is
file d , a n d r e tu r n s o f h e a d s o f fa m i li e s w h o a r e s in g le m e n , m a r r ie d
m e n n o t l i v i n g w i t h w i v e s , s in g le w o m e n , o r m a r r ie d w o m e n n o t
l i v i n g w i t h h u s b a n d s (g r o u p s 1, 4 , a n d 5 , a b o v e ) .
2 . S e p a r a t e r e tu r n s o f h u s b a n d s , in c lu d in g c o m m u n it y p r o p 
e r ty r etu rn s o f h u sb a n d s.
3. S e p a r a te r e tu r n s o f w i v e s , in c lu d in g c o m m u n it y p r o p e r ty
r e tu r n s o f w iv e s .
4 S e e S t a ti s ti c s o f I n c o m e for 1934, p t. I , p . 7.
5 A fe w o th er it e m s o f in c o m e — e . g ., c o m p e n s a tio n for in ju r ie s a n d s ic k n e s s a n d
r e n ta l v a lu e o f a d w e llin g h o u s e fu r n is h e d t o a m in is te r o f th e g o sp e l— a re e x c lu d e d
fr o m g r o s s in c o m e a s d e fin e d b y th e R e v e n u e A c t o f 1934 b u t in c l u d e d i n in c o m e a s
d e fin e d for t h i s s t u d y . T h e s e i te m s a r e r e l a ti v e l y n e g lig ib le i n a m o u n t a n d n o a t
t e m p t w a s m a d e t o a d j u s t t h e d a ta s p e c ific a lly t o in c l u d e th e m .
T h e a d j u s t
m e n ts for n o n r e p o r tin g a n d fo r u n d e r s t a t e m e n t o f in c o m e , d e s cr ib e d o n p p . 8 4 85 b e lo w , a r e in t e n d e d t o in c l u d e t h e in c o m e s o f S t a t e a n d lo c a l g o v e r n m e n t
o ffic ia ls w h o s e s a la r ie s a re e x e m p t fr o m F e d e r a l ta x a tio n .

4 . R e t u r n s o f s in g le m e n a n d m a r r ie d

m en

not

liv in g

w ith

w iv e s , n o t h e a d s o f f a m ili e s .
5 . R e t u r n s o f s in g le w o m e n a n d m a r r ie d w o m e n n o t l iv i n g w i t h
h u s b a n d s , n o t h e a d s o f f a m ili e s ,
6 . R e t u r n s o f e s t a t e s a n d tr u s t s .

T h e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f a g g r e g a te n e t in c o m e ,
a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l, a m o n g th e s e s ix g r o u p s a p p e a r e d
t o o ffe r t h e m o s t s a t i s f a c t o r y b a s is f o r a ll o c a t i n g t o e a c h
g r o u p t h e a p p r o p r i a t e s h a r e o f ta x - e x e m p t i n t e r e s t a n d
d e d u c tio n s t o b e a d d e d , a n d t h e a p p r o p r i a t e s h a r e o f
c a p i t a l g a in s t o b e d e d u c t e d , a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l.
T h e fo llo w in g d e d u c t i o n s f r o m g ro s s in c o m e a llo w e d
i n c a lc u la t in g n e t in c o m e f o r in c o m e t a x p u r p o s e s w e r e
t o t a l l e d a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0 : N e t c a p i t a l
lo ss , c o n t r i b u t i o n s , t a x e s p a i d , i n t e r e s t p a i d a n d “ o th e r
d e d u c t i o n s .” 6 T h e v a l u e o f i n t e r e s t re c e iv e d f r o m
w h o ll y t a x - e x e m p t o b lig a tio n s a n d o f t h e n o n t a x a b l e
a m o u n t s o f i n t e r e s t re c e iv e d f r o m p a r t i a l l y ta x - e x 
e m p t o b lig a tio n s w e r e a d d e d t o t h e a b o v e t o t a l s a t e a c h
in c o m e le v e l, a n d t h e v a l u e o f n e t c a p i t a l g a i n s s u b 
tra c te d . T h e re s u ltin g a g g re g a te a m o u n ts w ere th e n
d is t r i b u t e d a m o n g t h e s ix g r o u p s o f r e t u r n s , a t e a c h
in c o m e le v e l a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0 , a c c o r d in g to t h e p r o p o r t io n s
o f a g g r e g a te n e t in c o m e re c e iv e d b y e a c h g r o u p a t t h e
v a r io u s le v e ls .
F r o m t h e a g g r e g a te , a m o u n t s a s s ig n e d to e a c h g r o u p
o f r e t u r n s i t w a s p o s s ib le t o c a lc u la t e t h e a v e r a g e
a m o u n t t o b e a d d e d t o t h e r e t u r n s a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l
i n o r d e r t o a d j u s t t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n f r o m a n e t
in c o m e b a s is t o o n e w h ic h w o u ld c o r r e s p o n d w i t h t h e
d e f in iti o n o f in c o m e u s e d i n t h e s t u d y . T h is a d j u s t m e n t ,
m a d e s e p a r a t e l y f o r e a c h g r o u p o f r e t u r n s l is te d a b o v e ,7
i n v o lv e d t h e s h if ti n g o f p a r t o f t h e r e t u r n s a n d o f t h e
a g g r e g a te in c o m e i n e a c h in c o m e c la s s i n t o t h e n e x t
h ig h e r in c o m e c la ss . S u c h s h if ti n g w a s n e c e s s a r y b e 
c a u s e t h e a d d i t i o n o f t h e a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f d e d u c tio n s
a n d ta x - e x e m p t i n t e r e s t t o th o s e r e t u r n s t h a t w e r e a l 
r e a d y n e a r t h e u p p e r l i m i t o f a g iv e n in c o m e i n t e r v a l
b r o u g h t t h e i r in c o m e s w i t h i n t h e r a n g e o f t h e n e x t
h ig h e r i n t e r v a l . F o r e x a m p le , i f a n a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f
$746 in d e d u c tio n s a n d ta x -e x e m p t in te re s t w e re a d d e d
to t h e r e t u r n s i n n e t in c o m e c la s s $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 t o $ 1 5 ,0 0 0 ,
a ll t h o s e r e t u r n s w h ic h h a d n e t in c o m e s o f $ 1 4 ,2 5 5 o r
m o r e w o u ld s h i f t u p w a r d i n t o t h e c la s s i n t e r v a l o f
$ 1 5 ,0 0 0 t o $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 . I n o r d e r to d e t e r m i n e t h e a c tu a l
n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s t o b e s h if te d f r o m e a c h n e t in c o m e
c la ss , a c u m u l a ti v e f r e q u e n c y c u r v e w a s d r a w n , fr o m
w h ic h i t w a s p o s s ib le t o r e a d o ff t h e n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s
w h ic h w o u ld b e s u ffic ie n tly a f f e c te d b y t h e a d d i t i o n o f
th e a v e ra g e a m o u n t of d e d u c tio n s a n d ta x -e x e m p t in te r
e s t f o r t h e c la s s to m o v e o u t o f o n e in c o m e c la s s in t o
a n o t h e r . T h u s in t h e e x a m p le g iv e n a b o v e , i t w a s p o s s i
6 D e d u c ti o n s for b u s in e s s lo s s a n d p a r tn e r s h ip lo s s w e r e n o t in c l u d e d in th i s to t a l,
s in c e th e s e it e m s h a d a ls o b e e n d e d u c t e d fro m g ro ss in c o m e a s r ep o r te d in th e s a m p le
i n c o m e d a ta u s e d in th e s t u d y .
7 W ith t h e e x c e p tio n , o f c o u rse , o f th e r e tu r n s for e s ta te s a n d tr u s ts , w h i c h w e re n o t
to b e in c lu d e d in e ith e r th e fa m ily or th e s in g le in d iv id u a l e s tim a te s .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

b le to r e a d o ff t h e n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s f a llin g b e tw e e n
$ 1 4 ,2 5 5 a n d $ 15 ,00 0 , a n d t o s h i f t t h a t n u m b e r t o t h e n e x t
h ig h e r in c o m e c la s s . I n t h i s m a n n e r , a n e w f r e q u e n c y
d is t r i b u t i o n wTa s o b t a in e d , i n w h ic h t h e in c o m e c la s s i
f ic a tio n c o r r e s p o n d e d c lo se ly — a l t h o u g h n o t e x a c tly — w i t h t h e d e f in itio n o f in c o m e u s e d i n t h e s t u d y . 8
T h e a d d i t i o n o f d e d u c tio n s a n d t a x - e x e m p t i n t e r e s t a t
e a c h in c o m e le v e l c a u s e d , o f c o u rs e , a n in c r e a s e i n t h e
a g g r e g a te in c o m e a n d n e c e s s i t a t e d a n a d j u s t m e n t o f
t h e a g g r e g a t e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n t o c o r r e s p o n d w i t h
t h e a d j u s t m e n t o f t h e d is t r i b u t i o n o f r e t u r n s . T h is
in v o lv e d a d d in g , a t e a c h in c o m e i n t e r v a l , t h e a d d i ti o n a l
a g g r e g a te in c o m e f r o m d e d u c t i o n s a n d t a x - e x e m p t
i n t e r e s t a c c r u in g t o th o s e r e t u r n s r e m a i n i n g i n t h e
c la s s ,9 p lu s t h e a g g r e g a t e n e t in c o m e a n d t h e in c o m e
fro m d e d u c tio n s a n d ta x -e x e m p t in te r e s t o f th o s e r e 
t u r n s s h if te d i n t o t h e c la s s ,101m in u s t h e a g g r e g a te n e t
in c o m e o f t h o s e s h if te d o u t o f t h e c la s s .11
C o m b in i n g I n c o m e s o f H u s b a n d s

and Wives Making S e p a r a t e Returns
A fte r th e a d j u s tm e n ts fo r d e d u c tio n s a n d ta x -e x e m p t
i n t e r e s t h a d b e e n c o m p le te d f o r e a c h g r o u p o f r e t u r n s ,
t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r h u s b a n d s m a k in g s e p a r a t e
r e t u r n s ( in c lu d in g t h e c o m m u n i t y p r o p e r t y r e t u r n s o f
h u s b a n d s ) w a s c o m b in e d w i t h t h e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r w iv e s
m a k in g s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s ( in c lu d in g t h e c o m m u n i t y
p r o p e r t y r e t u r n s o f w iv e s ) . T h is c o m b i n a t i o n w a s
m a d e i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e g e n e r a l a s s u m p ti o n t h a t
a t t h e h ig h in c o m e le v e ls h u s b a n d s a n d w iv e s m a k in g
s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s w o u ld e n d e a v o r t o d iv id e t h e fa m ily
in c o m e a s e v e n ly a s p o s s ib le i n o r d e r to a v o id t h e
s u r t a x c h a rg e s .
B e g in n in g a t t h e t o p o f t h e in c o m e s c a le , h u s b a n d s
a n d w iv e s w e r e p a i r e d i n t o “ f a m i l y ” u n i t s . I n s o f a r a s
p o s s ib le , h u s b a n d s i n t h e h ig h e s t in c o m e b r a c k e t w e r e
a s s ig n e d w iv e s i n t h e s a m e b r a c k e t , b u t s in c e t h e
n u m b e r o f h u s b a n d s r e p o r t i n g h ig h in c o m e s w a s c o n 
s i d e r a b l y g r e a t e r t h a n t h e n u m b e r o f w iv e s i t w a s n e c s a r y t o p a i r s o m e o f t h e h u s b a n d s w i t h w iv e s i n lo w e r
in c o m e b r a c k e t s . P r o c e e d in g d o w n t h e in c o m e s c a le in
t h i s f a s h io n , e v e r y h u s b a n d w a s p a i r e d w i t h a w ife , a n d
8 I t w a s s t i l l n e c e s s a r y t o a d d t h e in c o m e o f s u p p l e m e n ta r y earn e r s o v er 18 w h o w e re
n o t c o v e r e d b y t h e jo i n t in c o m e t a x r e tu r n s or t h e r e tu r n s o f t h e h e a d s o f fa m ily u n it s ,
a n d a ls o th e im p u te d v a lu e o f n o n m o n e y in c o m e . S e e p p . 84 -8 5 b e lo w .
s C a lc u la te d b y m u lt i p ly in g t h e n u m b e r o f r e tu r n s r e m a in in g i n th e c la s s b y th e
a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f d e d u c t io n s a n d ta x -e x e m p t in te r e s t a d d e d t o th e s e r e tu r n s .
A g g r e g a te n e t in c o m e c a lc u la te d b y m u lt i p ly in g t h e n u m b e r o f r e tu r n s s h if tin g
b y t h e a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f th e ir in c o m e s — i. e ., t h e m i d p o i n t b e tw e e n t h e n e t in c o m e
fig u r e a b o v e w h i c h t h e r e tu r n s w e r e s h i ft e d a n d th e u p p e r l i m i t o f th e in c o m e c la ss
fr o m w h i c h t h e y w e r e m o v e d . T h u s , i n th e e x a m p l e g i v e n a b o v e , t h e m i d p o i n t b e 
t w e e n $ 14,25 5 a n d $15,000. T h e r e s u lt in g a m o u n t o f a g g r e g a te i n c o m e w a s s u b tr a c te d
fr o m in c o m e c la s s $10,000-$15,000 a n d a d d e d t o i n c o m e c la s s $15,000-$20,000. I n c o m e
fr o m d e d u c t io n s a n d ta x -e x e m p t i n t e r e s t c a lc u la te d b y m u lt i p ly in g t h e n u m b e r o f
r e tu r n s s h if tin g b y t h e a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f d e d u c t io n s a n d ta x -e x e m p t i n t e r e s t th a t
w a s a d d e d t o th e ir r e tu r n s .
11 C a lc u la t e d i n th e s a m e w a y a s th e a g g r e g a te n e t i n c o m e for th o s e s h if tin g in to th e
c la s s . S e e fo o tn o te 10 a b o v e . T h u s i n t h e e x a m p le g i v e n , t h e a m o u n t o f a g gr e ga te
n e t i n c o m e a d d e d a t i n c o m e in te r v a l $15,000-$20,000 w a s s u b tr a c te d fr o m in c o m e
in te r v a l $10,000-$15,000.

83

t h e h u s b a n d - w if e u n i t s w e re d i s t r i b u t e d b y in c o m e le v e l
a c c o rd in g to t h e c o m b in e d in c o m e o f t h e tw o r e t u r n s . 12
T h e n u m b e r o f h u s b a n d - w if e u n i t s w i t h in c o m e s a b o v e
$ 5 ,0 0 0 w a s s o m e w h a t g r e a t e r t h a n t h e n u m b e r o f h u s 
b a n d s filin g s e p a r a t e r e t u r n s o f in c o m e s o v e r $ 5 ,0 0 0 ,
b e c a u s e s o m e h u s b a n d s w i t h in c o m e s b e lo w $ 5 ,0 0 0 w e re
p a i r e d w i t h w iv e s w h o s e in c o m e s w e r e a ls o b e lo w $ 5 ,0 0 0 ,
b u t s u ffic ie n t to b r i n g t h e c o m b in e d in c o m e a b o v e $5,000.
T h e n e w d i s t r i b u t i o n o f h u s b a n d - w if e u n i t s w a s n o w
c o m b in e d w i t h t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f o t h e r f a m i l y u n i t s b y
a d d i n g t h e f r e q u e n c ie s a n d t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t e a c h
in c o m e le v e l.
A d j u s t m e n t fr o m 1 9 3 5
t o 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 B a s is

T h e r e s u l ti n g f a m ily d i s t r i b u t i o n , w h ic h w a s b a s e d
o n in c o m e t a x d a t a f o r t h e c a le n d a r y e a r 1 93 5 , w a s n e x t
a d j u s t e d t o a llo w f o r a n in c r e a s e d n u m b e r o f fa m ily
in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r i n t h e fisc a l y e a r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 ,
w h e n t h e n a t i o n a l in c o m e w a s c o n s id e r a b ly g r e a t e r t h a n
i n 1 93 5 . T h is a d j u s t m e n t w a s m a d e b y r e l a t i n g t h e
d if fe re n c e s i n t h e a g g r e g a te g r o s s in c o m e r e p o r t e d fo r
t h e y e a r 1 935 a n d f o r t h e y e a r 1 9 3 6 , o n a ll t y p e s o f
i n d i v i d u a l r e t u r n s w i t h n e t in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r,
t o d iffe re n c e s i n t h e s iz e o f t h e n a t i o n a l in c o m e p a i d o u t
d u r i n g t h i s p e r io d , a s e s t i m a t e d b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f
C o m m e r c e .13
N a t i o n a l in c o m e p a i d o u t i n 193 6 w a s e s t i m a t e d a t
$ 6 2 ,4 4 1 m illio n , r e p r e s e n t i n g a 1 3 .6 p e r c e n t ris e o v e r t h e
e s t i m a t e d a m o u n t p a i d o u t d u r i n g 1 935. A n e s t im a t e
fo r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 , b a s e d o n m o n th ly e s tim a te s fo r th e la s t
6 m o n t h s o f 1 9 3 5 a n d t h e f i r s t 6 m o n t h s o f 1 936, s h o w e d
a 5 .5 p e r c e n t r is e o v e r t h e 193 5 fig u r e , o r 4 0 .3 p e r c e n t
o f t h e t o t a l r is e f r o m 1 935 t o 1 936.
T h e a g g r e g a te g ro s s in c o m e ( n e t in c o m e p lu s d e d u c 
tio n s f o r c a p i t a l lo ss , i n t e r e s t p a i d , ta x e s p a i d , c o n t r i b u 
tio n s a n d “ o t h e r d e d u c t i o n s ,” a n d m i n u s c a p i t a l g a in )
f o r a ll in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s f o r n e t in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d
o v e r s h o w e d a t o t a l r is e o f 3 6 .5 p e r c e n t f r o m 1 9 3 5 t o 1 936.
I t w a s a s s u m e d t h a t t h e in c r e a s e i n a g g r e g a te g ro s s
in c o m e f r o m 193 5 to 1 9 3 5 -3 6 b o r e t h e s a m e p r o p o r 
t i o n a t e r e l a t i o n s h i p t o t h i s t o t a l in c r e a s e t h a t t h e ris e
i n n a t i o n a l in c o m e f r o m 1 9 3 5 t o 1 9 3 5 -3 6 b o ro t o t h e
t o t a l r is e fr o m 193 5 t o 1 93 6 . A c c o rd in g ly , 4 0 .3 p e r c e n t
o f t h e i n c r e a s e i n a g g r e g a te g ro s s in c o m e f o r a ll t y p e s
o f r e t u r n s w i t h n e t in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r b e tw e e n
1 9 3 5 a n d 193 6 w a s t a k e n t o r e p r e s e n t t h e i n c r e a s e i n
a g g r e g a te g ro s s in c o m e f r o m 1 9 3 5 t o 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
S in c e o n ly p a r t o f t h i s i n c r e a s e a c c r u e d t o th o s e
in c o m e r e c ip i e n t s w h o b e lo n g e d t o f a m ily u n i t s , i t w a s
I2 T h e h u s b a n d ’s in c o m e w a s a s s u m e d to e q u a l th e a v e r a g e i n c o m e o f th e in c o m e
c la ss to w h i c h h e b e lo n g e d a n d t h e w if e ’s in c o m e , i n m o s t c a s es , to e q u a l t h e a v er a g e
i n c o m e o f t h e in c o m e c la ss to w h i c h s h e b e lo n g ed . T h e s u m o f t h e t w o d e ter m in ed
t h e in c o m e c la s s o f th e n e w fa m ily u n i t.
18 S e e N a t h a n , R o b e r t I t . , a n d C o n e , F r e d e r ic k M ., M o n t h l y I n c o m e P a y m e n t s
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , 1 9 2 9 - 3 7 , S u r v e y o f C u r r e n t B u s in e s s , F e b r u a r y 1938

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

84

n e c e s s a r y to d iv id e i t a m o n g t h e v a r io u s g ro u p s o f
r e t u r n s o n s o m e p r o p o r t i o n a t e b a s is . T h e p e r c e n ta g e
d is t r i b u t i o n o f a g g r e g a te g ro s s in c o m e a m o n g t h e v a r i 
o u s g r o u p s o f r e t u r n s i n 1935 w a s u s e d a s t h e b a s is f o r
t h i s d iv is io n .14
T h e p o r t i o n o f t h e in c r e a s e d a m o u n t o f g ro s s in c o m e
a c c r u in g to th o s e t y p e s o f r e t u r n s w h ic h h a d b e e n
c o m b in e d i n t o f a m ily u n i t s w a s n o w d i s t r i b u t e d , b y
in c o m e le v e l, a c c o r d in g to t h e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n
o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e s h o w n b y t h e f a m i l y d i s t r i b u t i o n
f o r 1 9 3 5 .14 T h e a d d i t i o n a l a m o u n t o f a g g r e g a te i n 
c o m e a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l w a s t h e n a d d e d to t h e a g g re 
g a t e in c o m e s h o w n i n t h e 1 9 3 5 f a m i l y . d i s t r i b u t i o n a t
t h a t in c o m e le v e l to o b t a i n a d i s t r i b u t i o n o f a g g r e g a te
in c o m e f o r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 . I t w a s a s s u m e d t h a t t h e a v e r a g e
in c o m e w i t h i n t h e v a r io u s in c o m e c la s s e s r e m a i n e d t h e
s a m e a s t h e a v e r a g e i n 1 93 5 . A c c o rd in g ly , t h e n u m b e r
o f f a m i l y u n i t s i n t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6 d is t r i b u t i o n w a s d e t e r 
m in e d b y d iv id in g t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6 a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t
e a c h in c o m e i n t e r v a l b y t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e w it h i n t h a t
i n t e r v a l s h o w n b y t h e 193 5 f a m ily d i s t r i b u t i o n .
A d ju s t m e n t fo r N o n r e p o r tin g

H a v i n g o b t a in e d a n e s t i m a t e d 1 9 3 5 -3 6 in c o m e
d is t r i b u t i o n f o r th o s e fa m ilie s t h a t w o u ld h a v e file d
F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 o r m o r e g ro s s
in c o m e , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to i n c r e a s e t h e n u m b e r o f
f a m ily u n i t s a n d t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t v a r io u s le v e ls
to a c c o u n t f o r th o s e f a m ilie s t h a t a r e le g a ll y r e q u i r e d
to file r e t u r n s b u t f a il t o d o so , a n d f o r fa m ilie s — s u c h
a s th o s e o f S t a t e a n d m u n ic i p a l o ffic ia ls — w h o s e
s a la r ie s a r e n o t s u b j e c t t o F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x a t i o n .
T h e a d ju s tm e n t fo r n o n re p o rtin g w a s b a s e d o n a rb i
t r a r y a s s u m p ti o n s c o n c e rn in g t h e p r o b a b le p e r c e n ta g e
in c r e a s e i n in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s if a ll fa m ilie s w i t h i n 
c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r h a d a c t u a l l y file d in c o m e t a x
r e t u r n s f o r t h e y e a r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 .
I t w a s a ssu m e d t h a t n o n re p o rtin g w as m o s t p re v a le n t
in t h e in c o m e c la s s e s $ 5 ,0 0 0 t o $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d t e n d e d t o
b e n e g lig ib le a t in c o m e le v e ls a b o v e $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 . S p e c if
ic a lly , i t w a s d e c id e d t h a t t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s w it h
in c o m e s b e tw e e n $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 s h o u ld b e i n 
c re a s e d b y 2 5 p e r c e n t ; t h a t t h e n u m b e r w i t h in c o m e s
b e tw e e n $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 1 5 ,0 0 0 s h o u ld b e i n c r e a s e d b y 15
p e r c e n t ; a n d t h e n u m b e r b e tw e e n $ 1 5 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 2 0 ,0 0 0
i n c r e a s e d b y 5 p e r c e n t . 15 T h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6 d i s t r i b u t i o n
w a s c o r r e c te d f o r n o n r e p o r t i n g b y in c r e a s in g t h e n u m 
b e r o f f a m ilie s a n d t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t th e s e
in c o m e le v e ls in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e a b o v e a s s u m p tio n s .
14

A v a il a b l e in c o m e t a x d a t a for 1936 w e r e n o t c la s s ifie d b y ty p e o f r etu r n s o th a t it

w a s n e c e s s a r y e ith e r t o a c c e p t t h e 1935 p e r c e n ta g e r e la tio n s h ip s a m o n g g r o u p s o f
r e tu r n s a n d a m o n g in c o m e c la s s e s a s r e p r e s e n ta tiv e o f 1935-36, o r t o a tt e m p t s o m e
a r b itra r y c o r r e c tio n o f t h e d a ta . C o m p a r is o n s o f t h e 1935 a n d 1936 r e la tio n s h ip s ,
m a d e o n t h e b a s is o f n e t i n c o m e d a ta for a ll t y p e s o f r e tu r n s c o m b in e d , in d ic a te d
t h a t p e rc e n ta g e r e l a tio n s h ip s w e r e s o l i t t l e c h a n g e d b e tw e e n 1935 a n d 1936 t h a t i t
w o u ld n o t b e w o r t h w h i le to a tt e m p t a n y a d ju s tm e n t for 1935-36.

A d ju s tm e n t fo r U n d e r 
s ta te m e n t o f In c o m e

A f u r t h e r a d j u s t m e n t w a s m a d e i n t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6
fa m ily d is t r i b u t i o n t o a llo w f o r t h e u n d e r s t a t e m e n t of
c e r ta i n t y p e s o f in c o m e b y fa m ilie s a c t u a l l y filin g
r e t u r n s . U n d e r s t a t e m e n t w a s c o n s id e r e d m o s t lik e ly
t o o c c u r i n t h e r e p o r t i n g o f in c o m e f r o m t h e fo llo w in g
s o u r c e s : (1 ) B u s in e s s p r o f i ts ; (2 ) p a r t n e r s h i p p r o f its ;
(3 ) r e n t s a n d r o y a l t i e s ; a n d (4) “ o t h e r i n c o m e ” ( in c lu d in g
in c o m e f r o m a ll s o u r c e s n o t s p e c ific a lly r e p o r t e d ) .
L ik e n o n r e p o r ti n g , u n d e r s t a t e m e n t w a s a s s u m e d to
v a r y b y in c o m e le v e l a n d t o b e p r o p o r t i o n a t e l y g r e a t e r
a t t h e lo w e r in c o m e le v e ls . S p e c ific a lly , i t w a s d e c id e d
t h a t t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f fa m ilie s w i t h in c o m e s b e 
tw e e n $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 s h o u ld b e in c r e a s e d b y 15
p e r c e n t, t h a t o f f a m ilie s b e tw e e n $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 2 0 ,0 0 0
b y 15 p e r c e n t, t h a t o f f a m ilie s b e tw e e n $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 a n d
$ 2 5 ,0 0 0 b y 10 p e r c e n t, a n d t h a t o f f a m ilie s b e tw e e n
$ 2 5 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 b y 5 p e r c e n t . 15 T h e s e a s s u m p 
t io n s r e s u l te d i n a n o v e r a ll e s t i m a t e o f u n d e r s t a t e m e n t
e q u a l t o 10 p e r c e n t o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f fa m ilie s
w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 5 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r a f t e r t h e c o r r e c tio n fo r
n o n re p o rtin g h a d b e e n m a d e .
T h e t o t a l a m o u n t o f in c o m e to b e a d d e d a t e a c h i n 
c o m e le v e l o f t h e f a m ily d is t r i b u t i o n t o c o r r e c t f o r t h e
u n d e r s t a t e m e n t o f in c o m e w a s c a lc u la t e d b y a p p ly in g
t h e a p p r o p r i a t e p e r c e n ta g e s t o t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e
fig u r e s s h o w n b y t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6 d is t r i b u t i o n a f t e r t h e
c o r r e c tio n f o r n o n r e p o r t i n g h a d b e e n c o m p l e te d .16
T h e a g g r e g a te a m o u n t o f in c o m e t o b e a d d e d a t e a c h
in c o m e le v e l to a llo w f o r u n d e r s t a t e m e n t w a s t h e n
d iv id e d b y t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ily u n i t s i n o r d e r t o d e t e r 
m in e t h e a v e r a g e a m o u n t t o b e a d d e d t o t h e in c o m e s o f
fa m ilie s a t t h a t le v e l. A d d it i o n o f s u c h a n a v e r a g e
a m o u n t o f in c o m e a t e a c h le v e l r e s u l te d , o f c o u rs e , i n a
s h if tin g o f s o m e f a m ilie s f r o m e a c h in c o m e i n t e r v a l to
t h e n e x t h ig h e r i n t e r v a l . T h is s h i f t a n d t h e c o r r e 
s p o n d in g s h if t i n a g g r e g a te in c o m e w e r e a c c o m p li s h e d b y
t h e s a m e m e t h o d s d e s c r ib e d a b o v e f o r a d d i n g d e d u c t i o n s
a n d t a x - e x e m p t i n t e r e s t to t h e n e t in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s . 17
A d d itio n

o f In c o m e o f

S u p p l e m e n t a r y E a rn e rs

I n c o m b in in g t h e d a t a f o r v a r io u s t y p e s o f in c o m e
t a x r e t u r n s to o b t a i n a d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e in c o m e s r e 
c e iv e d b y f a m ily u n i t s , n o a c c o u n t w a s t h e n t a k e n o f t h e
in c o m e re c e iv e d b y th o s e m e m b e r s o f e c o n o m ic fa m ilie s ,
o t h e r t h a n w iv e s , w h o s e in c o m e s w e r e n o t c o v e re d b y
15 T h e s e p e r c en ta g e s, o f c o u r s e, a re e s s e n tia ll y a r b itra r y b u t w e re a r riv e d a t a fte r
c o n sid e r in g t h e t e n ta ti v e e s tim a te s a d v a n c e d b y s ev e r a l a u t h o r itie s w h o w e r e c o n 
s u lte d .
16 T h e s e q u e n c e o f th e a d ju s tm e n ts for n o n r e p o r tin g a n d for u n d e r s t a t e m e n t im p l ie s
t h a t fa m ilie s a d d e d to th e d is tr i b u tio n t o a llo w for n o n r e p o r tin g w o u ld h a v e u n d e r 
s ta te d th e ir in c o m e s to t h e s a m e e x te n t a s d i d th e fa m ilie s t h a t a c tu a l ly file d in c o m e
ta x r e tu r n s .
S e e p p . 82-83.

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

85

t h e j o i n t f a m ily r e t u r n o r b y t h e r e t u r n o f t h e h e a d o f
t h e f a m ily . S o m e o f th e s e f a m i l y m e m b e r s , o f c o u rs e ,
h a d i n d i v i d u a l in c o m e s e x c e e d in g t h e a llo w a b le p e r 
s o n a l e x e m p tio n a n d file d s e p a r a t e in c o m e t a x r e t u r n s ,
b u t i t w a s n o t p o s s ib le t o u tiliz e th e s e r e t u r n s in

t i a l l y c o m p e n s a te d f o r b y t h e l a c k o f a n y a d j u s t m e n t
f o r s u p p l e m e n t a r y in c o m e o t h e r t h a n e a r n in g s .
F r o m t h e t a b i d a t i o n s f o r e ig h t l a r g e c itie s , i t w a s
p o s s ib le to c a lc u la te t h e a v e r a g e n u m b e r o f s u p p l e 
m e n t a r y e a r n e r s o f 16 y e a r s a n d o v e r f o r fa m ilie s i n e a c h

a d j u s t i n g t h e in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r fa m ilie s , s in c e n o
b a s is w a s a v a ila b le f o r s e p a r a t i n g s u c h r e t u r n s f r o m
t h o s e file d b y in d i v i d u a l s m a i n t a i n i n g i n d e p e n d e n t
e c o n o m ic s t a t u s . 17a T h e m a j o r i t y o f f a m ily m e m b e r s
w i t h “ s u p p l e m e n t a r y ” in c o m e s , h o w e v e r, h a d in c o m e s
t o o s m a ll t o r e q u i r e t h e filin g o f t a x r e t u r n s .
In a s m u c h a s th e S tu d y o f C o n su m e r P u rc h a s e s w as
t h e o n l y a v a i la b l e s o u r c e o f i n f o r m a ti o n c o n c e rn in g t h e
r e l a t i v e i m p o r t a n c e o f s u c h in c o m e s a t d if f e r e n t in c o m e
le v e ls , t h i s p a r t i c u l a r a d j u s t m e n t o f t h e in c o m e t a x
d a t a w a s p o s t p o n e d u n t i l t h e d a t a h a d b e e n m a d e to
c o r r e s p o n d , a s c lo s e ly a s p o s s ib le , w i t h t h e s a m p le i n 
c o m e d a t a c o lle c te d f r o m t h e f a m ilie s i n te r v ie w e d in
t h a t s t u d y . E v e n so , t h e i n f o r m a ti o n a v a ila b le fr o m
t h e in c o m e s c h e d u le s c o lle c te d i n t h e S t u d y o f C o n 
s u m e r P u r c h a s e s r e l a t e d o n ly t o t h e s u p p l e m e n t a r y i n 
c o m e f r o m e a r n in g s , a n d h e n c e o ffe re d n o a d e q u a t e
b a s is fo r e s t im a t i n g t h e t o t a l a m o u n t o f in c o m e r e 
c e iv e d b y s u p p l e m e n t a r y in c o m e r e c ip ie n ts . F o r th is

in c o m e c la s s u p to $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r, a n d t h e a v e r a g e
e a r n in g s p e r s u p p l e m e n t a r y e a r n e r in e a c h c la s s .18
B y m u l ti p ly i n g t h e a v e r a g e n u m b e r o f s u p p l e m e n t a r y
e a r n e r s p e r f a m i l y b y t h e a v e r a g e e a r n in g s p e r s u p p le 
m e n t a r y e a r n e r , t h e r e w a s o b t a in e d , f o r e a c h in c o m e
c la s s u p to $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 , a n a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f s u p p le m e n 
t a r y e a r n in g s p e r f a m ily to b e a d d e d to t h e in c o m e s o f
t h e fa m ilie s in t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6 fa m ily d i s t r i b u t i o n . T h e
a v e r a g e a m o u n t s to b e a d d e d a t in c o m e c la s s e s a b o v e
$ 1 0 ,0 0 0 w e re o b t a in e d b y p l o t t i n g t h e d a t a f o r t h e
c la ss e s b e lo w $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d e x te n d in g t h e c u r v e f r e e h a n d
to r e a d o ff t h e e x t r a p o l a t e d v a lu e s . O n c e h a v i n g
d e te rm in e d b y th e a b o v e m e a n s th e a v e ra g e a m o u n t
o f s u p p l e m e n t a r y e a r n in g s to b e a d d e d a t e a c h in c o m e
le v e l, i t w a s p o s s ib le t o c a r r y f o r w a r d t h e a d j u s t m e n t b y
u s in g t h e s a m e m e t h o d s u s e d i n a d d in g a v e r a g e d e d u c 
t io n s a n d ta x - e x e m p t i n t e r e s t , a n d i n a d d i n g t h e e s t i 
m a t e d a v e r a g e a m o u n t s n e c e s s a r y to c o r r e c t f o r u n d e r 
s t a t e m e n t o f in c o m e .19

r e a s o n , a n d a ls o b e c a u s e t h e a v a i la b l e d a t a t e n d e d , a s
e x p la in e d b e lo w , to w a r d a n o v e r e s t i m a te o f t h e a v e r a g e
n u m b e r o f s u p p l e m e n t a r y e a r n e r s a t t h e v a r io u s in c o m e
le v e ls , i t w a s d e c id e d t o m a k e n o s p e c ific a d j u s t m e n t fo r
s u p p l e m e n t a r y in c o m e o t h e r t h a n e a r n in g s .
A v a ila b le t a b u l a t i o n s o f t h e d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s s h o w e d f o r f a m ilie s a t e a c h in c o m e
le v e l, i n e a c h s a m p le c o m m u n ity , t h e n u m b e r o f s u p 
p le m e n t a r y e a r n e r s o f f o u r d if f e r e n t t y p e s — h u s b a n d s ,
w iv e s , o th e r s 16 y e a r s a n d o v e r, a n d o th e r s u n d e r 16
y e a r s — a n d t h e a v e r a g e e a r n in g s o f e a c h t y p e . S in c e
t h e e a r n in g s o f h u s b a n d s , w iv e s , a n d d e p e n d e n t c h il
d r e n u n d e r 18 a r e , a c c o r d in g to t h e r e p o r t i n g r e q u i r e 
m e n ts o f t h e i n c o m e - ta x la w , in c lu d e d a s p a r t o f t h e
f a m ily in c o m e , e i t h e r i n a j o i n t fa m ily r e t u r n , i n s e p a 
r a t e r e t u r n s o f h u s b a n d a n d w ife , o r i n a s in g le r e t u r n
b y t h e h e a d o f t h e f a m ily , i t w a s p r e s u m a b l y o n ly t h e
s u p p l e m e n t a r y e a r n in g s o f p a r t o f th o s e i n t h e t h i r d
g r o u p — th o s e 18 y e a r s a n d o v e r— t h a t w e re o m i tt e d
fr o m t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6 fa m ily d is t r i b u t i o n b u i l t u p o n t h e
b a s is o f in c o m e t a x d a t a .
H o w e v e r, t h e d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r
P u r c h a s e s w e re n o t a v a i la b l e i n a f o r m t o p e r m i t t h e
e x c lu s io n f r o m t h e g r o u p o f th o s e s u p p l e m e n t a r y e a r n e r s
b e tw e e n 16 a n d 18 y e a r s , so t h a t t h e a d j u s t m e n t w a s
m a d e o n t h e b a s is o f t h e d a t a f o r t h e e n t i r e g r o u p o f
s u p p l e m e n t a r y e a r n e r s ( o th e r t h a n h u s b a n d s a n d w iv e s)
o v e r 16. T h e u p w a r d b ia s i n t r o d u c e d b y t h i s p r o c e d u r e
w a s , a s o b s e r v e d e a r lie r i n t h e d is c u s s io n , a t l e a s t p a r i7a T h e u tiliz a tio n o f th e s e in d iv id u a l r e tu r n s i n a d j u s tin g th e in c o m e d is tr ib u tio n
fo r s in g le in d iv id u a ls is e x p la in e d b e lo w .

A d d itio n

o f Im p u te d V a l u e

of N o nm oney

In c o m e

T h e e s t i m a t e d in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s b a s e d o n s a m p le
d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s in c l u d e d in
fa m ily in c o m e t h e i m p u t e d v a lu e s o f c e r t a i n k in d s o f
n o n m o n e y in c o m e — e. g ., t h e o c c u p a n c y o f a n o w n e d
h o m e a n d , f o r f a r m a n d v illa g e fa m ilie s , h o m e - p r o d u c e d
fo o d . T o r e n d e r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n b a s e d o n in c o m e t a x
d a t a m o r e n e a r l y c o m p a r a b le w it h r e s p e c t to t h e i te m s
in c lu d e d in in c o m e , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to a d d t h e e s t i 
m a t e d v a lu e o f th e s e f o rm s o f n o n m o n e y in c o m e .
T h e a v e r a g e v a lu e o f s u c h n o n m o n e y in c o m e a t e a c h
in c o m e le v e l w a s e s t i m a t e d o n t h e b a s is o f t h e a v e r a g e
v a lu e o f th e s e n o n m o n e y i te m s i n t h e n a t i o n a l e x p e n d i
t u r e p a t t e r n s b u i l t u p f r o m c o n s u m p tio n d a t a c o lle c te d
in t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s .20*
T h e s e a v e r a g e a m o u n t s o f n o n m o n e y in c o m e w e re
a d d e d a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l, a n d t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f
fa m ilie s a n d a g g r e g a te in c o m e s h if te d u p w a r d — a s in
p r e v io u s a d j u s t m e n t s — to a llo w f o r th o s e f a m ilie s w h o s e
in c o m e s w e r e s u ff ic ie n tly i n c r e a s e d b y t h e a d d e d in c o m e
to c a u s e t h e m to m o v e i n t o a h ig h e r in c o m e c la ss .
F in a l A d ju s tm e n t o f N a t io n a l
D i s t r ib u t i o n f o r F a m i li e s

T h e s e rie s o f a d j u s t m e n t s o f t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a
r e s u l te d f in a lly in a d is t r i b u t i o n o f f a m ily u n i t s a n d o f
18 D a t a fo r th e e ig h t c itie s w e r e a v e r a g e d , e a c h c i t y b e in g g iv e n e q u a l w e ig h t.
i 0 S e e p p . 82 -8 3 .
20 T h e s e p a t te r n s h a v e b e e n p r ep a re d b y th e N a t io n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m it te e i n a
s t u d y o f c o n su m e r e x p e n d itu r e s a n d s a v in g s i n 1935-36.

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

86
a g g r e g a te in c o m e f o r in c o m e le v e ls a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 w h ic h
w a s o n a c o m p a r a b le b a s is w ith t h e e s t i m a t e d n a t i o n a l
d is t r i b u t i o n b u i l t u p f r o m t h e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a fr o m
th e S tu d y o f C o n su m e r P u rc h a s e s . T h e la t t e r d is tri
b u t i o n , w h ic h w a s k n o w n t o b e d e f ic ie n t i n t h e h ig h
in c o m e le v e ls , w a s c o r r e c te d b y a d d i n g a t e a c h in c o m e
i n t e r v a l a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 t h e a d d i t i o n a l n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s
a n d a m o u n t o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e s h o w n b y t h e a d j u s t e d
in c o m e t a x d a t a t o b e l o n g i n th o s e in c o m e i n t e r v a l s .
S in c e t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts u s e d i n b u ild in g u p t h e
e s t i m a t e d n a t i o n a l d is t r i b u t i o n f r o m s a m p le d a t a h a d
in c lu d e d a ll fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S ta t e s , i t w a s n e c e s 
s a r y t o r e d u c e t h e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s i n t h e in c o m e i n 
t e r v a l s b e lo w $ 7 ,5 0 0 t o a llo w f o r t h e in c r e a s e d n u m b e r
o f fa m ilie s i n t h e h ig h e r in c o m e i n t e r v a l s .
O n th e
a s s u m p ti o n t h a t t h e s a m p le d a t a b e lo w $ 7 ,5 0 0 re fle c te d
c o r r e c tl y t h e r e l a t i v e p r o p o r t io n s o f f a m ilie s a t t h e d iff
e r e n t in c o m e le v e ls , t h e t o t a l r e d u c t io n in n u m b e r o f
f a m ilie s b e lo w $ 7 ,5 0 0 w a s d i s t r i b u t e d a m o n g t h e v a r io u s
in c o m e i n t e r v a l s i n p r o p o r t i o n t o t h e r e l a t i v e n u m b e r o f
f a m ilie s i n e a c h i n t e r v a l b e fo re t h e c o r r e c tio n w a s
m a d e .21
A d j u s t m e n t o f R e g io n a l
D is t r ib u t io n s f o r F a m i li e s

A d j u s t m e n t s o f t h e e s t i m a t e d n a t i o n a l in c o m e d is 
t r i b u t i o n i n a c c o r d a n c e w ith in c o m e t a x d a t a w e r e e x 
t e n d e d t o t h e e s t i m a t e d d is t r i b u t i o n s f o r f a m ilie s i n e a c h
o f t h e fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s , a n d f o r o t h e r c o m p o n e n t
g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s .
T h e a d j u s t m e n t s o f t h e r e g io n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e re
m a d e o n t h e b a s is o f F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x d a t a o n t h e
n u m b e r o f i n d i v i d u a l r e t u r n s a n d t h e a g g r e g a te n e t i n 
co m e re p o rte d fro m e a c h S ta te .
T h e s e d a t a w e re
c la ss ifie d b y n e t in c o m e c la s s e s b u t n o t b y t y p e o f r e 
t u r n , a n d n o i n f o r m a ti o n w a s g iv e n c o n c e rn in g d e d u c 
t io n s a n d s o u r c e s o f in c o m e . I t w a s o b v io u s ly n o t p o s s i
b le , th e r e f o r e , t o c a r r y t h r o u g h f o r e a c h S t a t e t h e
s c rie s o f a d j u s t m e n t s t h a t w e re m a d e i n t h e in c o m e t a x
d a t a f o r t h e t o t a l U n i t e d S ta t e s .
T h e d a t a o n i n d i v i d u a l r e t u r n s a n d a g g r e g a te n e t
in c o m e f o r t h e s e v e r a l S t a t e s w e r e c o m b in e d , f o r n e t
in c o m e c la s s e s a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0 , to y ie ld s e p a r a t e d i s t r i 
b u t i o n s o f r e t u r n s a n d o f a g g r e g a te n e t in c o m e fo r
e a c h o f t h e fiv e re g io n s d e f in e d i n t h i s s t u d y . S in c e
d a t a f o r a ll t y p e s o f i n d i v i d u a l r e t u r n s w e r e in c lu d e d
i n th e s e r e g io n a l d is t r i b u t i o n s , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to
e s t i m a t e t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f r e t u r n s a n d o f a g g r e g a te
in c o m e b e lo n g in g t o m e m b e r s o f f a m ily u n i t s . T h is
w a s d o n e b y a p p l y i n g t o t h e d a t a f o r e a c h r e g io n t h e
p e r c e n ta g e s t h a t w e r e c a lc u la t e d f r o m t h e n a t i o n a l
21 T h e s e p r o p o r tio n s w e re o b ta in e d b y c a lc u la tin g a p e r c e n ta g e d is t r ib u tio n , b y
i n c o m e le v e l, for t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s b e lo w th e $7,500 le v e l. T h e s e p e r c e n t
a g e s w e r e a p p lie d t o th e t o t a l n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s t o b e s u b tr a c t e d fr o m th e d i s tr ib u 
ti o n b e lo w $7,500 i n o rd er to o b ta in th e n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s t o b e s u b tr a c te d from th e
v a r io u s in c o m e in te r v a ls .

d a t a , s h o w in g a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l t h e p r o p o r t io n s o f
to ta l in d iv id u a l r e tu r n s a n d to ta l a g g re g a te n e tin c o m e in
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s r e p o r t e d b y m e m b e r s o f f a m ily u n i t s . 22
T h e r e s u l ti n g r e g io n a l d is t r i b u t i o n s o f t h e r e t u r n s
a n d o f a g g r e g a te n e t in c o m e w e r e n o w c o m p a r a b le
t o t h e c o m b in e d n a t i o n a l d a t a f o r t h e v a r io u s t y p e s
o f f a m ily r e t u r n s b e f o r e a n y a d j u s t m e n t s h a d b e e n m a d e
i n th o s e d a t a .
T h e u n a d j u s t e d n a t i o n a l d a t a fo r th e s e t y p e s o f
r e t u r n s w e r e c o m p a r e d w it h t h e d a t a in t h e fin a l
fa m ily d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r 1 9 3 5 -3 6 , a n d c a lc u la t io n s m a d e
o f t h e p e r c e n ta g e i n c r e a s e i n t h e n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s
a n d i n t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l t h a t
h a d r e s u l te d f r o m t h e s e rie s o f a d j u s t m e n t s .
I n t h e a b s e n c e o f a n y e v id e n c e a s t o h o w th e s e p e r 
c e n t a g e i n c r e a s e s m i g h t h a v e v a r ie d a m o n g re g io n s if
t h e a d j u s t m e n t s h a d b e e n c a r r i e d o u t i n d e p e n d e n tl y ,
i t w a s a s s u m e d t h a t t h e d a t a f r o m t h e v a r io u s r e g io n s
w e r e e q u a ll y a f f e c te d b y t h e a d j u s tm e n t s . A c c o rd in g ly
t h e n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s a n d t h e a g g r e g a t e n e t in c o m e
i n t h e u n a d j u s t e d r e g io n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e r e in c re a s e d
a t e a c h in c o m e le v e l b y t h e s a m e p e r c e n ta g e a m o u n t s
s h o w n b y t h e n a t i o n a l d a t a , t o e ffe c t a n o v e r - a ll c o r r e c 
t i o n o f t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a f o r e a c h re g io n .
T h e r e s u l ti n g re g io n a l f a m ily d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r i n 
c o m e le v e ls a b o v e $ 7 ,5 0 0 w e r e u s e d t o a d j u s t t h e e s t i 
m a t e d in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n s t h a t h a d b e e n d e r iv e d
f r o m t h e s a m p le in c o m e d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n 
s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . T h e s e fin a l a d j u s t m e n t s o f t h e
r e g io n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e r e m a d e i n t h e s a m e w a y a s
t h e fi n a l a d j u s t m e n t o f t h e n a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n . 23
A d j u s t m e n t s o f D i s t r ib u t io n s fo r O t h e r
C o m p o n e n t G r o u p s o f F a m ilie s

A v a ila b le t a b u l a t i o n s o f t h e F e d e r a l in c o m e t a x
d a t a d o n o t c la s s if y n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s o r a g g r e g a te
n e t in c o m e b y s u c h f a c to r s a s ty p o o f c o m m u n i t y ,
fa m ily s iz e , c o l o r - n a ti v it y , a n d o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p in g .
A c c o rd in g ly , i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o a d o p t s o m e a r b i t r a r y
m e t h o d o f d is t r i b u t i n g a m o n g t h e c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s
o f fa m ilie s th e i n c r e a s e d n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a n d a g g r e 
g a t e a m o u n t o f in c o m e t h a t h a d b e e n a d d e d t o t h e
n a t i o n a l a n d t o t h e r e g io n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s t o a llo w f o r
u n d e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f h ig h in c o m e f a m ilie s i n t h e
s a m p le d a t a .
T h e g e n e ra l b a s is a c c e p te d f o r a llo c a tin g th e s e
fa m ilie s w a s t h e r e l a t i v e n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s i n in c o m e
c la s s e s $ 7 ,5 0 0 -$ !0 ,0 0 0 , a n d $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r, s h o w n
b y t h e u n c o r r e c te d in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r t h e c o m 
p o n e n t g r o u p s i n e a c h t y p e o f c la s s if ic a ti o n .24 T h u s ,
t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a d d e d a t in c o m e c la s s
$ 7 ,5 0 0 - $ 1 0 .0 0 0 w o u ld b e d i s t r i b u t e d a m o n g t h e f o u r
» S e e p . 81.
23 S e e a b o v e .
24 T h e in c o m e c la s s $10,000 a n d o v e r in c lu d e d th e fa m ilie s in a ll o f th e in co m e
c la s se s a b o v e $10,000.

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

fa m ily -s iz e g r o u p s a c c o r d in g t o t h e p r o p o r t i o n a t e
n u m b e r s o f f a m ilie s o f e a c h g r o u p i n t h a t in c o m e c la s s
s h o w n b y t h e fa m ily - s i z e d i s t r i b u t i o n s b u i l t u p fr o m
t h e s a m p le d a t a .
T h e im p li e d a s s u m p ti o n u n d e r ly in g t h i s g e n e ra l
p r o c e d u r e w a s t h a t t h e s a m p le d a t a f r o m t h e S t u d y o f
C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s r e p r e s e n t e d c o r r e c tl y t h e p r o p o r 
tio n s o f fa m ilie s o f e a c h c o m p o n e n t g r o u p i n t h e h ig h
in c o m e c la s s e s a l t h o u g h t h e y u n d e r r e p r e s e n t e d t h e
t o t a l n u m b e r o f h ig h in c o m e fa m ilie s .23 T h is a s s u m p 
t i o n p r o b a b ly i n t r o d u c e d a d e g re e o f e r r o r i n t o t h e
fi n a l d is t r i b u t i o n s , f o r i f t h e v e r y h ig h in c o m e fa m ilie s
h a d b e e n p r o p e r l y r e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e s a m p le t h e p r o 
p o r ti o n s s h o w n i n t h e c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s i n in c o m e
c la s s $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r w o u ld p r o b a b l y h a v e b e e n s o m e 
w h a t a lt e r e d . H o w e v e r , t h e p r o c e d u r e d id n o t in v o lv e
t h e a s s u m p ti o n t h a t t h e s a m e p r o p o r t i o n a t e r e l a t i o n 
s h ip b e tw e e n c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s w o u ld p r e v a i l a t e v e r y
in c o m e le v e l a b o v e $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 . I t is o b v io u s , f o r in s t a n c e ,
t h a t t h e r a t i o o f c le ri c a l fa m ilie s t o i n d e p e n d e n t b u s i
n e s s f a m ilie s a t t h e in c o m e le v e l $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 t o $ 1 5 ,0 0 0
w o u ld b e c o n s id e r a b ly h i g h e r t h a n t h e r a t i o o f c le ric a l
fa m ilie s t o i n d e p e n d e n t b u s in e s s f a m ilie s a t t h e in c o m e
le v e l $ 1 5 ,0 0 0 t o $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 . A n a llo w a n c e f o r s u c h
v a ria tio n s w as m a d e in e s tim a tin g th e a v e ra g e a n d
a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f f a m ilie s w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 1 0 ,0 0 0
a n d o v e r b e lo n g in g t o d if f e r e n t o c c u p a t io n a l g r o u p s a n d
liv in g i n d if f e r e n t t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y .26
T h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r e a c h c o m p o n e n t g r o u p
o f f a m ilie s w a s a d j u s t e d b e lo w $ 7 ,5 0 0 , i n t h e s a m e w a y
t h a t t h e n a t i o n a l a n d r e g io n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n s w e re
a d j u s t e d , t o a llo w f o r t h e n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s a d d e d a t
t h e h ig h e r in c o m e le v e ls .
A d ju s t m e n t c f N a t io n a l D is tr ib u tio n

fo r S in g le In d iv id u a ls

T h e e s t i m a t e d in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le i n d i v i 
d u a l s w a s a ls o c o r r e c te d f o r u n d e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e
h ig h in c o m e c la s s e s b y m e a n s o f F e d e r a l in c o m e - ta x
d a ta .
T h e a d ju s tm e n t, c a rrie d th ro u g h s e p a ra te ly fo r th e
e s t i m a t e d d is t r i b u t i o n s o f s in g le m e n a n d o f s in g le
w o m e n , w a s m a d e f o r in c o m e c la s s e s o v e r $ 3 ,0 0 0 o n

87

t h e b a s is o f in c o m e t a x d a t a f o r tw o t y p e s o f r e t u r n s —
s in g le a n d m a r r ie d m e n n o t h e a d s o f f a m ilie s , a n d s in g le
a n d m a r r i e d w o m e n n o t h e a d s o f fa m ilie s — a f t e r th e s e
d a t a h a d b e e n a d j u s t e d to c o r r e s p o n d w it h t h e s t u d y
d e f in itio n a n d c la s s if ic a ti o n o f in c o m e .27
I t w a s r e c o g n iz e d t h a t s o m e o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l s w h o s e
r e t u r n s w e r e c la s s ifie d u n d e r th e s e h e a d in g s w e r e
p r o b a b ly n o t m a i n t a i n i n g a s e p a r a t e e c o n o m ic s t a t u s ,
a n d h e n c e w e re n o t s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s a s d e f in e d b y
th is s tu d y . B u t i t w a s a ssu m e d t h a t th e m a jo r ity of
th o s e w i t h n e t in c o m e s o f $ 3 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r w o u ld n o t b e
p o o lin g t h e i r in c o m e s i n a c o m m o n f a m i l y f u n d , e v e n
t h o u g h t h e y s h a r e d a h o u s e h o ld w ith o th e r s . A c c o r d 
in g ly , n o r e d u c t i o n w a s m a d e i n t h e n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s
a b o v e $ 3 ,0 0 0 to a llo w f o r t h e fe w in d i v i d u a l s t h a t m i g h t
b e m e m b e r s o f e c o n o m ic f a m ily g r o u p s .
T h e fo llo w in g s e rie s o f a d j u s t m e n t s , s im ila r to th o s e
m a d e i n t h e in c o m e t a x d a t a f o r f a m ily r e t u r n s , w e r e
c a r r ie d t h r o u g h fo r t h e d a t a f r o m e a c h g r o u p o f r e t u r n s :
(1 ) A d j u s t m e n t o f n e t in c o m e t o c o r r e s p o n d w i t h in c o m e
a s d e fin e d in t h e s t u d y , (2 ) a d j u s t m e n t f r o m a 1 935 t o a
1 9 3 5 -3 6 b a s is , (3 ) a d j u s t m e n t f o r n o n r e p o r ti n g , (4)
a d j u s t m e n t f o r u n d e r s t a t e m e n t o f in c o m e , (5 ) a d d i ti o n
o f t h e i m p u t e d v a lu e o f n o n m o n e y in c o m e .
T h e n e w in c o m e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le m e n w a s
p l o t t e d o n t h e s a m e s c a le w i t h t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r sin g le
m e n w h ic h w a s d e r iv e d f r o m e a r n in g s d a t a . T h e l a t t e r
c u r v e w a s t h e n s m o o th e d a b o v e $ 3 ,0 0 0 t o c o n f o r m m o r e
c lo s e ly w i t h t h e c u r v e s h o w n b y t h e a d j u s t e d in c o m e t a x
d a ta .
T h e f r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n r e a d o ff f r o m t h i s
c u r v e f o r in c o m e c la s s e s a b o v e $ 3 ,0 0 0 w a s t h e n s p lic e d
t o t h e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r in c o m e c la s s e s b e lo w $ 3 ,0 0 0 —
w h ic h h a d b e e n a d j u s t e d to a llo w f o r t h e g r e a t e r n u m b e r
o f s in g le m e n w i t h in c o m e s o f $ 3 ,0 0 0 a n d o v e r .28
T h e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le w o m e n w a s a d j u s t e d i n t h e
s a m e m a n n e r a s t h e d is t r i b u t i o n f o r s in g le m e n , a n d t h e
tw o d is t r i b u t i o n s w e r e fi n a lly c o m b in e d , b y a d d i n g t h e
f r e q u e n c ie s a n d t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t e a c h in c o m e
le v e l, to o b t a in t h e fin a l d is t r i b u t i o n f o r a ll s in g le
in d iv id u a ls .
27 T h e in c o m e ta x d a t a for r e tu r n s w i t h n e t in c o m e s b e lo w $5,000 a r e e s t im a te d b y

25 T h e s a m p le d a ta o b ta in e d fr o m th e S t u d y o f C o n su m e r P u r c h a s e s in c lu d e d d a ta
for 952 fa m ilie s w i t h in c o m e s b e tw e e n $7,500 a n d $10,000, a n d 924 fa m ilie s w i t h i n 

th e B u r e a u o f I n t e r n a l R e v e n u e a n d h e n c e a re s o m e w h a t le s s r e lia b le th a n t h e d a ta
a b o v e $5,000.
N e v e r th e le s s , i t s e e m e d d e sir a b le , i n v i e w o f t h e lim it a t io n s o f e ar n 
in g s d a ta a s a b a s is for e s tim a ti n g th e in c o m e d is tr ib u tio n s o f s in g le m e n a n d s in g le
w o m e n , to u s e th e in c o m e ta x d a ta for n e t in c o m es o f $8,000 a n d o v e r a s a c h e c k a g a in st

c o m e s o f $10,000 a n d o v er .
26 F o r d i s c u s s io n o f t h i s p o i n t, s e e p p . 88 -8 9 .

th e d is t r ib u tio n s b a s e d o n e a r n in g s d a ta .
28 F o r e x p la n a tio n o f th i s a d j u s t m e n t, s e e d is c u s s io n o n p . 86.

SECTI ON

8. ESTI M ATES OF A GGREGA TE AN D A V ERA GE
I NCOM ES

E s t i m a t e s o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f e a c h g r o u p o f
f a m ilie s f o r w h ic h in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s a r e p r e s e n te d
in P a r t s I a n d I I w e r e o b t a in e d b y m u l ti p ly i n g th e
f r e q u e n c ie s i n e a c h in c o m e i n t e r v a l b y t h e a v e r a g e
in c o m e f o r t h e f a m ilie s w it h i n t h a t in c o m e i n t e r v a l .
T h e a v e r a g e (m e a n ) in c o m e a t e a c h in c o m e i n t e r v a l
w a s d e r iv e d , i n m o s t c a s e s , f r o m t h e d a t a f r o m th e
S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s . T h e s e d a t a in d i c a t e d
fo r n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s i n e a c h c o l o r - n a ti v it y g r o u p w it h i n
e a c h s a m p le c o m m u n i t y t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e i n e a c h
in c o m e i n t e r v a l . F o r b r o a d g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s t h e
a v e r a g e in c o m e w i t h i n a n y g iv e n in c o m e i n t e r v a l w a s
c a lc u la t e d b y w e ig h tin g t h e a v e r a g e s f o r t h e fin e r
g r o u p s i n t h e s a m p le d a t a a c c o r d in g t o t h e r e l a t i v e
i m p o r t a n c e o f th e s e fin e r g r o u p s a t t h a t in c o m e i n t e r v a l
i n t h e 1 9 3 5 -3 6 p o p u la t io n .
T h u s , f o r e x a m p le , t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e o f a ll n o n re lie f
f a m ilie s liv i n g i n s m a ll c it ie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d
re c e iv in g in c o m e s b e tw e e n $ 3 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 3 ,5 0 0 w a s o b 
t a i n e d b y w e ig h tin g t h e a v e r a g e s f o r t h i s in c o m e i n t e r v a l
s h o w n i n t h e r e g u l a r a n d i n t h e c li p p e d s a m p le s f o r s m a ll
c it ie s i n e a c h re g io n . T h e w e ig h ts u s e d w e r e t h e t o t a l
n u m b e r o f n a t i v e - w h i t e n o r m a l f a m ilie s a n d t h e t o t a l
n u m b e r o f f a m ilie s b e lo n g in g t o a ll o t h e r c o l o r - n a ti v it y
g r o u p s l iv i n g i n s m a ll c it ie s i n e a c h r e g io n a n d re c e iv in g
in c o m e s b e tw e e n $ 3 ,0 0 0 a n d $ 3 ,5 0 0 . T h e a g g r e g a te s
f o r n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n e a c h re g io n , t y p e o f c o m m u n ity ,
a n d c o l o r - n a t i v i t y g r o u p w e r e c a lc u la t e d s im ila r ly .
S a m p le d a t a o n a v e r a g e in c o m e s w it h i n e a c h in c o m e
i n t e r v a l w e r e n o t a v a ila b le f r o m t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s
1 T h e p r o c e d u r e u s e d w a s to a d d (a lg e b r a ic a lly ) to t h e m i d p o i n t a c orr ec tion g iv e n
b y t h e fo r m u la

w h e r e / = fr e q u e n c y i n c la s s for w h i c h m e a n is b e in g e s t i 

m a te d ; / " = fr eq u e n c y o f c la s s i m m e d i a te ly a b o v e ; / ' = fr e q u e n c y o f c la ss im m e d i a t e ly
b e lo w , a n d c = c l a s s in te r v a l o f c la s s for w h i c h a v e r a g e is b e in g c o m p u t e d . T h e for
m u la w a s s li g h t ly d iffe r e n t fo r t h e lo w e s t i n c o m e in te r v a l a n d for th o s e in c o m e cla s se s
w h e r e t h e w i d t h o f t h e c la s s in te r v a l w a s c h a n g e d . T h e fo r m u la g iv e s t h e c o r r ec tio n
w h i c h w o u ld b e r eq u ir e d o n t h e a s s u m p t io n t h a t t h e d is tr i b u tio n o f fr eq u e n c ie s
w i th in a c la s s in t e r v a l is a c c u r a te ly r ep r es e n te d b y a s tr a ig h t li n e p a s s in g th r o u g h th e
p o in t d e te r m in e d b y c e n te r in g t h e fr e q u e n c ie s a t t h e m i d p o i n t a n d p a r a lle l t o a lin e
jo in in g s im ila r p o in ts for t h e i m m e d ia te ly p r ec e d in g a n d fo llo w in g c la s s in te r v a ls .
T h e v a l i d i t y o f t h e fo r m u la w a s c h ec k ed b y u s in g i t , in s e v e r a l c a s e s , t o c o m p u te
a v e r a g e s for c la s s in te r v a l s for w h i c h th e c o rrect a v er a g e s w e r e a v a ila b l e fr o m th e
S t u d y o f C o n su m e r P u r c h a s e s.
in sta n c e s .

T h e t w o fig u r es a g r e ed w e ll i n p r a c t ic a lly a ll

2 F o r m e th o d o f o b t a in in g th e s e a g gre g a tes fro m th e in c o m e -ta x d a ta , s e e s e c . 7.

88

S t u d y w i t h t h e n e c e s s a r y d e t a il f o r e a c h o c c u p a tio n a l
a n d f o r e a c h fa m ily - s iz e g r o u p . F o r th e s e g ro u p s ,
th e r e f o r e , t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e a t e a c h in c o m e i n t e r v a l
w a s d e t e r m i n e d b y c o r r e c tin g t h e m i d p o i n t o f t h e
i n t e r v a l o n t h e b a s is o f t h e r e l a t i v e m a g n i t u d e s o f t h e
fr e q u e n c ie s i n t h a t i n t e r v a l a n d i n t h e in c o m e i n t e r v a l s
im m e d ia t e l y a b o v e a n d b e lo w i t . 1 T h e a v e r a g e i n 
c o m e w a s t h u s a s s u m e d t o b e h ig h e r t h a n t h e m i d p o i n t
i n th o s e in c o m e i n t e r v a l s w h e re t h e in c o m e c u r v e w a s
ris in g , a n d lo w e r t h a n t h e m i d p o i n t w h e r e t h e c u r v e
w a s fa llin g . T h e a g g r e g a te s f o r r e lie f fa m ilie s a n d f o r
a ll s in g le in d i v i d u a l s w e re a ls o o b t a in e d b y t h i s m e th o d .
T h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f f a m ilie s w i t h in c o m e s o f
$ 7 ,5 0 0 a n d o v e r w e r e i n e v e r y c a s e d e r iv e d f r o m t h e
a d j u s t e d in c o m e t a x d a t a , r a t h e r t h a n f r o m t h e C o n 
s u m e r P u r c h a s e s s a m p le d a t a . 12 T h e a g g r e g a te i n 
c o m e s re c e iv e d b y fa m ilie s i n e a c h r e g io n w it h in c o m e s
o f $ 7 ,5 0 0 o r m o re , a n d b y a ll f a m ilie s i n t h e U n i te d
S t a t e s i n th e s e in c o m e c la s s e s , w e r e o b t a in e d d ir e c tly
f r o m t h e a d j u s t e d in c o m e t a x d a t a , a s w a s t h e a g g r e g a te
f o r s in g le i n d iv id u a ls w i t h in c o m e s a b o v e $ 5 ,0 0 0 .
T h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f fa m ilie s i n e a c h r e g io n w it h
in c o m e s b e tw e e n $ 7 ,5 0 0 a n d $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a n d w i t h in c o m e s
a b o v e $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 w e r e d iv id e d , re s p e c tiv e ly , b y t h e n u m b e r s
o f fa m ilie s i n t h e r e g io n r e c e iv in g th e s e in c o m e s , in
o r d e r to o b t a i n t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e i n e a c h in t e r v a l .
T h e r e g io n a l a v e r a g e a t t h e in c o m e i n t e r v a l $ 7 ,5 0 0 to
$ 1 0 ,0 0 0 w a s a s s u m e d t o p r e v a i l fo r fa m ilie s l iv in g in
e a c h t y p e o f c o m m u n ity . A n a d j u s t m e n t w a s m a d e ,
h o w e v e r, i n t h e d iv is io n o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a m o n g
fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 o r m o re , so t h a t fa m ilie s
liv in g i n m id d le -s iz e d c itie s , i n s m a ll c itie s , i n r u r a l
n o n f a r m c o m m u n itie s , a n d o n f a r m s , w e r e a s s ig n e d p r o 
g re s s iv e ly s m a lle r p r o p o r t io n s o f t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e
o f t h e r e g io n t h a n t h e i r r e l a t i v e n u m b e r s i n d i c a t e d .
T h is a d j u s t m e n t w a s m a d e o n t h e a s s u m p ti o n t h a t
t h e a v e r a g e in c o m e o f f a m ilie s re c e iv in g o v e r $ 1 0 ,0 0 0
w a s h ig h e r i n m e tr o p o lis e s a n d l a r g e c it ie s t h a n in
m id d le -s iz e d a n d s m a ll c itie s , a n d h ig h e r i n m id d le s iz e d a n d s m a ll c itie s t h a n i n r u r a l n o n f a r m c o m 
m u n it i e s a n d f a r m s , b e c a u s e t h e n u m b e r o f v e r y w e a l th y
fa m ilie s t e n d s t o i n c r e a s e w i t h in c r e a s in g u r b a n i z a t io n .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

A s im ila r a d j u s t m e n t w a s m a d e i n e s t im a t i n g t h e
a g g r e g a te in c o m e f o r t h e o c c u p a tio n a l g ro u p s . T h e
r e l a t i v e l y fe w f a m ilie s i n t h e w a g e - e a r n in g a n d i n t h e
c le ric a l g r o u p s t h a t r e c e iv e d in c o m e s o f m o r e t h a n
$ 1 0 ,0 0 0 f o r t h e y e a r w e re a s s u m e d t o h a v e b e e n c o n 
c e n t r a t e d w it h i n t h e in c o m e i n t e r v a l s j u s t a b o v e
$ 1 0 ,0 0 0 . F a m ilie s w i t h in c o m e s a b o v e $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 t h a t
b e lo n g e d t o t h e b u s in e s s a n d p ro fe s s io n a l g r o u p s a n d
t h o s e c la s s ifie d a s t h e i n d e p e n d e n t u n e m p lo y e d w e re
a s s ig n e d a c o r r e s p o n d in g ly h ig h e r s h a r e o f t h e a g g re 
g a t e in c o m e .
T h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s b a s e d o n d a t a f r o m t h e
S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s in c lu d e d a n e g a ti v e i n 
c o m e c la s s f o r n o n r e lie f f a r m fa m ilie s . T h e a g g r e g a te
n e g a ti v e in c o m e w a s e s t i m a t e d b y m u l ti p ly i n g t h e
n u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f f a r m f a m ilie s i n e a c h r e g io n t h a t
r e c e iv e d n e g a ti v e in c o m e s b y t h e a v e r a g e a m o u n t o f
n e g a ti v e in c o m e s s h o w n b y t h e C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s
s a m p le f o r f a r m a r e a s i n t h e re g io n .
H a v i n g o b t a i n e d t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e a t e a c h i n 
c o m e le v e l f o r t h e v a r io u s g r o u p s , t h e a g g r e g a te s fo r
r e l a t e d g r o u p s c o u ld b e s u m m e d b y in c o m e le v e l. F o r
e x a m p le , t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f a ll f a m ilie s a n d o f a ll
s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s w e r e s u m m e d b y in c o m e le v e l to

7 2 7 3 6 ° — 3 8 ------ 7

89

o b t a i n t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f a ll
fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i v i d u a l s p r e s e n t e d i n t a b l e 2 .
F o r a n y o n e g r o u p o f fa m ilie s , t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e s o f
f a m ilie s a t t h e v a r io u s in c o m e le v e ls c o u ld b e s u m m e d
t o o b t a i n t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f a ll f a m ilie s i n t h e
g r o u p — e. g ., t o o b t a i n t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f a ll w a g e 
e a r n i n g f a m ilie s p r e s e n t e d i n t a b l e 9 .3
T h e m e a n in c o m e f o r e a c h c o m p o n e n t g r o u p o f f a m i
lie s a n d f o r e a c h o f t h e b r o a d e r g r o u p s w a s o b t a i n e d b y
d iv id in g t h e e s t i m a t e d a g g r e g a te in c o m e b y t h e n u m b e r
o f fa m ilie s i n t h e g r o u p . T h e m e d ia n in c o m e f o r e a c h
g r o u p w a s c a lc u la t e d r o u g h ly b y a s s u m in g a r e g u l a r
d i s t r i b u t i o n o f c a s e s w it h i n t h e m e d ia n in c o m e c la s s ;
e a c h m e d ia n w a s r o u n d e d t o t h e n e a r e s t $ 5 . B o t h t h e
m e a n a n d t h e m e d i a n in c o m e s f o r s in g le i n d i v i d u a l s a n d
f o r m a j o r g r o u p s o f f a m ilie s a r e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e t e x t
ta b l e s f o r p u r p o s e s o f c o m p a ri s o n .
3 D u e t o th e d iffe r en c e s in m e th o d e x p la in e d a b o v e , t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f a ll
n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S ta te s , o b ta in e d b y u s in g t h e d a ta o n a v e r a g e in c o m e
b y in c o m e le v e l fr o m th e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a se s , d i d n o t a g r e e e x a c tly w i t h th e
a g gr e ga te for t h e s a m e g r o u p o f fa m ilie s o b t a in e d b y s u m m in g t h e e s t im a t e d a g g r e 
g a te s for n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n e a c h o f t h e e ig h t o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s , o r i n e a c h o f t h e
fo u r fa m ily -s iz e g r o u p s . A s m a ll a d ju s tm e n t w a s th e r e fo r e r e q u ire d i n t h e a g g r e g a te s
for th e s e la tte r g r o u p s s o t h a t t h e a g g r e g a te in c o m e o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n a l l o c c u 
p a t io n a l g ro u p s a n d i n a ll fa m ily -s iz e g r o u p s c o r r es p o n d e d , a s t h e y s h o u l d , w i t h t h e
a g g r e g a te for t h e s a m e g r o u p o f fa m ilie s c la ss ifie d b y r e g io n a n d t y p e o f c o m m u n it y .

SECTION 9. ESTIM A TES OF THE IN COM ES OF THE
IN STI TU TI ON AL PO PU LA TI O N

E s t i m a t e s o f t h e in c o m e s o f t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la 
t io n a r e n e c e s s a r y t o c o m p le te t h e e s t im a t e s o f c o n 
s u m e r in c o m e s f o r a ll o f t h e A m e r ic a n p e o p le . A s
in d i c a t e d i n P a r t I o f t h e r e p o r t , t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l
g ro u p c o n s titu te s a d is tin c tiv e ty p e o f c o n su m e r u n it
w h ic h is n o t r e a d i l y c o m p a r a b le to t h e f a m i l y a n d
s in g le i n d i v i d u a l u n i t s , b e c a u s e o f t h e n u m b e r o f m e m 
b e r s i t in c lu d e s a n d b e c a u s e o f t h e c o l le c tiv e a s p e c ts o f
i n s t i t u t i o n a l in c o m e a n d e x p e n d itu r e s .
C o m p o n e n t G ro u p s o f th e
I n s t it u t io n a l P o p u l a t i o n

T h e c la s s if ic a ti o n o f t h e

tw o

m illi o n i n s t i t u t i o n a l

r e s i d e n t s b y t y p e o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p w a s d e s c r ib e d
b rie f ly i n P a r t I I o f t h e r e p o r t . 1 R e s id e n t s o f i n s t i t u 
t io n s “ p r o p e r ” , w h o s e in c o m e s a r e t o a l a r g e e x t e n t r e 
c e iv e d f r o m t h e i n s t i t u t i o n i n t h e f o r m o f s u b s is te n c e
a n d c a r e , h a v e b e e n c la s s ifie d a c c o r d in g to t h e g e n e ra l
t y p e o f i n s t i t u t i o n , a s fo llo w s : 21
1. M e n t a l d e f e c t i v e s c o n f in e d i n in s a n e a s y l u m s , h o m e s fo r
f e e b l e - m i n d e d , h o s p it a l s f o r e p il e p t ic s , e t c .
2 . P h y s i c a l d e f e c t i v e s l i v i n g i n t u b e r c u lo s is
s a n ita r ia , s c h o o ls fo r t h e

h o s p it a l s a n d

d e a f a n d b lin d , c r ip p le d

c h il d r e n ’s

h o s p it a ls , e t c .
3 . P r i s o n e r s a n d a d u l t d e li n q u e n t s c o n f in e d t o j a ils , p e n i t e n 
t i a r ie s , w o r k h o u s e s , a n d r e fo r m a to r i e s fo r m e n a n d w o m e n ,
4. D e p e n d e n t

and

d e li n q u e n t

c h ild r e n

l iv i n g

a s y l u m s a n d r e fo r m a to r ie s f o r j u v e n i le d e lin q u e n ts ,
5 . D e p e n d e n t a d u lt s l i v i n g i n a lm s h o u s e s a n d

in

orph an

h o m e s fo r

th e ag ed .

T h e q u a s i - i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n , d e f in e d t o in c lu d e
a ll in d i v i d u a l s w h o liv e i n c o lle c tiv e ly - s u p p o r te d g r o u p s
b e c a u s e o f t h e n a t u r e o f t h e i r e m p lo y m e n t, h a s b e e n
d iv i d e d i n t o f o u r g ro u p s :
1. M e m b e r s o f C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a t io n C o r p s c a m p s ,
2 . E m p l o y e e s o f g e n e r a l la b o r c a m p s , s u c h a s lu m b e r in g ,
r a ilr o a d , c a n a l, a n d c o n s t r u c t io n c a m p s o f v a r io u s t y p e s ,
3 . E n l is t e d m e n i n t h e A r m y a n d N a v y s t a t i o n e d w i t h i n t h e
c o n tin e n ta l U n ite d S ta te s,
4 . M e m b e r s o f c r e w s o n v e s s e ls .

P e r s o n s b e l o n g in g t o s u c h g ro u p s re c e iv e s u b s is te n c e
1 S e e p . 3 2 a n d ta b le 16.
2 P e r s o n s J ivin g i n m o n a s te r ie s , c o n v e n ts a n d s im ila r r e lig io u s i n s ti tu t io n s m ig h t
p r o p e r ly c o n s ti tu te a s m a ll a d d iti o n a l in s titu t io n a l g r o u p , b u t s in c e t h e y a re g r ou p e d
b y t h e c e n s u s w i t h m e m b e r s o f o th e r s m a ll q u a s i-fa m ily g r o u p s , m o s t o f w h o m are
U n a tta c h e d p e r s o n s, t h e y h a v e b e e n in c lu d e d i n th e e s t im a te s for s in g le in d iv id u a ls .

90

i n p a r t i a l p a y m e n t fo r t h e i r s e rv ic e s , b u t t h e y a ls o
r e c e iv e m o n e y w a g e s w h ic h t h e y m a y s p e n d a s t h e y
c h o o se .
S a m p le D a t a

o n P e r C a p it a

In c o m e s

N o s t a t i s t i c a l i n f o r m a ti o n w a s a v a ila b le c o n c e r n in g
t h e p e r s o n a l in c o m e s o f t h e m e m b e r s o f th e s e v a r io u s
t y p e s o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l g ro u p s , s o t h a t i t w a s n e c e s s a r y
to e s t i m a t e t h e i r in c o m e s o n t h e b a s is o f a h e te r o g e n e o u s
b o d y o f d a t a o n i n s t i t u t i o n a l e x p e n d itu r e s o b t a in e d
f r o m v a r io u s F e d e r a l a n d S t a t e r e p o r ts .
E s t i m a t e s o f t h e p e r c a p i t a in c o m e s r e c e iv e d b y
m e m b e r s o f t h e fiv e t y p e s o f i n s t i t u t i o n s p r o p e r w e re
b a s e d o n p e r c a p i t a s u b s is te n c e c o s ts i n S t a t e i n s t i t u 
tio n s , i n s e v e n t e e n S t a t e s f o r w h ic h r e a s o n a b ly d e t a il e d
a n d c o m p le te e x p e n d i tu r e d a t a w e r e a v a ila b le . S t a t e
i n s t i t u t i o n s w e r e a c c e p te d a s t y p i c a l u n i t s f o r a n a ly s is
la r g e ly b e c a u s e o f t h e a v a ila b le s t a t i s t i c a l i n f o r m a tio n .
A lt h o u g h i t w a s re c o g n iz e d t h a t p e r c a p i t a e x p e n d itu r e s
f o r s u b s is te n c e m i g h t v a r y w id e ly a c c o r d in g t o t h e
s o u r c e o f s u p p o r t — i. e ., p r i v a t e , F e d e r a l, S t a t e , o r
lo c a l f u n d s — a d e q u a t e s t a t i s t i c a l d a t a w e r e f o u n d f o r
S t a t e i n s t i t u t i o n s o n ly . I t a p p e a r e d , fr o m s u c h
f r a g m e n t a r y i n f o r m a ti o n a s w a s a v a ila b le o n o t h e r
i n s t i t u t i o n s , t h a t p e r c a p i t a e x p e n d i tu r e s i n S t a t e i n 
s t i t u t i o n s t e n d t o b e s o m e w h a t lo w e r t h a n th o s e in
p r i v a t e a n d F e d e r a l i n s t i t u t i o n s , a n d s o m e w h a t h ig h e r
t h a n th o s e i n m u n ic i p a l a n d c o u n t y i n s t i t u t i o n s . T h is
c ir c u m s ta n c e , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e f a c t t h a t t h e b u l k o f
t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n is c a r e d f o r i n S t a t e i n 
s t i t u t i o n s , s e e m e d t o j u s t i f y t h e a c c e p ta n c e o f S t a t e
d a t a a s f a ir ly r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f a ll i n s t i t u t i o n s re g a r d le s s
o f t h e s o u r c e o f f in a n c ia l s u p p o r t .
T h e fo llo w in g o fficia l r e p o r ts , f r o m t h e s e v e n te e n
S t a t e s s e le c te d t o r e p r e s e n t t h e fiv e g e o g ra p h ic re g io n s
u s e d i n t h i s s t u d y , w e r e c o n s u lte d f o r d a t a o n t h e p e r
c a p i t a s u b s is te n c e c o s ts f o r r e s i d e n t s o f i n s t i t u t i o n s :
1. C o n n e c ti c u t :
(а ) R e p o r t o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b li c W e lfa r e , 1 9 3 6 .
(б ) R e p o r t o f t h e P u b li c W e lf a r e C o u n c il.
(c)

B u d g e t R e p o r t, 1 9 3 7 .

2 . M a s s a c h u s e tt s : (a ) B u d g e t R e c o m m e n d a t io n s , 1 9 3 6 .
3 . I o w a : ( a ) R e p o r t o f t h e S t a t e B o a r d o f C o n t r o l, 1 9 3 4 - 3 6 .
4. M ic h ig a n : ( a ) S t a t e B u d g e t , 1 9 3 6 - 3 7 .

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

91

5 . M in n e s o ta : ( a ) 1 8 th B ie n n ia l R e p o r t, S t a t e B o a r d o f C o n 
tr o l, J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 3 6 .
6 . N e w Y o rk :
F in a n c i a l R e p o r t o f t h e C o m p t r o lle r , 1 9 3 6 .
(б ) T h e E x e c u t i v e B u d g e t , v o l. I , 1 9 3 7 - 3 8 .

(а )

(c) 6 9 t h A n n u a l R e p o r t o f t h e S t a t e B o a r d o f S o c ia l
(d )

W e lfa r e , J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 3 5 .
R e p o r t o f A d m in is t r a t io n o f S t a t e I n s t i t u t io n s , 1 9 3 5 .

(e) C o u n t y , C i t y , a n d T o w n H o m e s , 1 9 3 6 .
7 . O h io :

R e p o r t o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b li c W e lf a r e , 1 9 3 6 .

(a )

8 . D i s t r i c t o f C o lu m b ia :

(a )

R ep o r t o f th e G o v ern m en t o f th e

D i s t r i c t o f C o lu m b i a , 1 9 3 6 .
9 . F lo r id a :

(a )

S t a t e B u d g e t, 1 9 36 .

1 0. K e n t u c k y :

(a )

R e p o r t o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b li c W e lfa r e ,

1 9 36 .
1 1 . M a r y la n d :

(a )

1 3 th A n n u a l R e p o r t o f t h e B o a r d o f W e lfa r e ,

1 9 35 .
1 2 . N o r t h C a r o lin a :
(а ) B ie n n ia l R e p o r t o f t h e S t a t e B o a r d o f C h a r i ti e s a n d
P u b li c W e lf a r e , 1 9 3 4 - 3 6 .
(б ) T h e B u d g e t , 1 9 3 7 - 3 9 .
1 3 . S o u t h C a r o lin a : (a ) B u d g e t R e p o r t, 1 9 3 6 .
1 4 . N e w M e x ic o : (a ) S t a t e B u d g e t , 1 9 3 6 .
1 5 . S o u t h D a k o ta :
(a ) A n n u a l R e p o r t o f t h e A u d it o r , 1 9 3 6 .
(5) R e p o r t o f t h e B o a r d o f C h a r i ti e s a n d C o r r e c tio n s ,
1 9 34 .
1 6 . W y o m in g :

(a )

S ta te B u d g e t, 1 9 3 7 -3 9 .

1 7 . C a lifo r n ia :
(a ) S t a t e I n s t i t u t i o n s o f S o c ia l W e lfa r e , 1 9 3 6 .
(6) S t a t i s t i c a l R e p o r t o f D e p a r t m e n t o f I n s t i t u t io n s ,
1 9 35 .
(c) S t a t e B u d g e t , 1 9 3 7 - 3 9 .

T h e i n s t i t u t i o n s w it h i n e a c h S t a t e w e r e g r o u p e d
a c c o r d in g t o t h e fiv e i n s t i t u t i o n a l t y p e s , a n d t h e e x p e n d 
i t u r e d a t a fo r e a c h t y p e c la s s ifie d u n d e r t h r e e m a in
c a te g o r i e s :
1. E x p e n d i t u r e s fo r p e r s o n a l s u b s is te n c e , c o n s is tin g
o f fo o d , c lo th in g , h o u s i n g , h o u s e h o ld o p e r a t io n , e q u i p 
m e n t a n d s u p p lie s , a n d m e d ic a l e q u i p m e n t a n d s u p p lie s ,3
2 . G r o u p e x p e n d itu r e s , c o n s is tin g o f a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
a n d s u p e r v is o r y c o s ts , s a la r ie s a n d w a g e s f o r a t t e n d a n t s ,
e d u c a tio n , re c r e a tio n , p r o te c tio n , a n d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ,4 a n d
3 . S a v in g s , c o n s is tin g o f s u r p lu s a n d c a p i t a l o u t l a y s
f o r i m p r o v e m e n ts o f b u ild in g s a n d g ro u n d s .
s T h e r ep o r ts o n in s titu t io n a l e x p e n d itu r e s v a r ie d g r e a tly w i t h r e s p e c t t o th e
m a n n e r a n d d e ta il in w h i c h e x p e n d itu r e s w e r e c la s s ifie d . T h e h e te r o g e n e ity o f th e
d a ta in e v i t a b ly in f lu e n c e d t h e ite m s i n c l u d e d a n d th o s e e x c lu d e d fr o m e x p e n d itu r es
for p e r s o n a l s u b s is te n c e . I n g e n e r a l, fo o d in c lu d e d m o n e y e x p e n d itu r e s for food
a n d t h e i m p u te d v a lu e o f fo o d p r o d u c e d b y t h e i n s ti tu t io n . C lo th in g i n c l u d e d o n l y
m o n e y e x p e n d itu r e s for c lo th in g m a te r ia l a n d s u p p l ie s , w i t h n o im p u te d v a lu e for
s e w in g a n d ta ilo r in g d o n e b y in s titu t io n a l r e s id e n ts . H o u s in g i n c lu d e d m o n e y
o u t la y for r e n t, r ep a ir o f b u i ld i n g s , o r d in a r y r e p a irs a n d r e p la c e m e n ts , in s u ra n ce
a n d fire p r o te c tio n . N o a tt e m p t w a s m a d e t o i m p u te a r e n t a l v a lu e for t h e o c c u p a n c y
o f t h e o w n e d i n s ti tu t io n a l h o m e , s i n c e th e r e a p p e a r ed n o r e a s o n a b le b a s is for s u c h a n
e s t im a te . H o u s e h o ld o p e r a tio n , e q u ip m e n t a n d s u p p lie s i s a n i n c lu s iv e c a te g o r y
c o v e r in g a l l e x p en s e s for fu e l, l ig h t a n d w a te r , fu r n is h in g s , c le a n in g s u p p lie s , la u n d r y ,
h o u s e h o ld e q u ip m e n t, a n d s im ila r i te m s . M e d ic a l s u p p lie s a n d e q u ip m e n t in c lu d e d
in t h e p e rs o n a l s u b s is te n c e c a te g o r y a r e l im i te d t o m o n e y o u tla y s for h o s p i ta l, m e d ic a l
a n d d e n t a l s u p p lie s a n d e q u i p m e n t.
4
E x p e n s e s for s u c h it e m s a s t h e s a la r ie s a n d w a g e s for d o c to r s , n u r s e s a n d o th er
a t t e n d a n ts a r e in c l u d e d in g r o u p e x p e n d itu r e s o n t h e a s s u m p t io n t h a t m o s t o f th e

T h e e x p e n d i tu r e s f o r p e r s o n a l s u b s is te n c e h a v e b e e n
c o n s id e r e d s y n o n y m o u s w i t h t h e a g g r e g a te p e r s o n a l
in c o m e s o f t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s id e n ts . R e g io n a l p e r
c a p i t a in c o m e s f o r t h e s a m p le i n s t i t u t i o n s o f e a c h t y p e
w e r e c a lc u la t e d b y t o t a l l i n g t h e e x p e n d i tu r e s f o r p e r 
s o n a l s u b s is te n c e o f a ll i n s t i t u t i o n s o f a g iv e n t y p e in
t h e S t a t e s s a m p le d a n d d iv id in g b y t h e t o t a l n u m b e r
o f re s id e n ts in s u c h in s titu tio n s .
T h e s e a v e r a g e p e r c a p i t a fig u re s , d e r iv e d f r o m t h e
s a m p le d a t a , w e r e l a t e r m u l ti p li e d b y p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts
re p re s e n tin g th e to ta l n u m b e r o f re s id e n ts o f e a c h ty p e
w it h i n e a c h re g io n .6
E s t i m a t e s o f t h e p e r c a p i t a in c o m e s o f A r m y a n d
N a v y p e r s o n n e l w e re d e r iv e d , b y s im ila r m e th o d s , f r o m
d a t a o n t h e s u b s is te n c e c o s ts a n d s a la r ie s o f e n lis te d
m e n . T h e s e d a t a w e r e o b t a in e d , f o r t h e fisc a l y e a r
1 9 3 5 -3 6 , f r o m t h e re c o r d s o f h e a r in g s o n t h e m i l it a r y
e s t a b l is h m e n t a p p r o p r i a t i o n b ills f o r 1937 a n d 1938.®
C o m p a r a b le d a t a f o r C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a tio n C o r p s
e n r o lle e s w e r e a v a ila b le i n t h e A n n u a l R e p o r t o f th e
D i r e c t o r o f E m e r g e n c y C o n s e r v a ti o n W o rk , F is c a l Y e a r
E n d i n g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 3 6 .7 F o r b o t h g ro u p s , t h e d a t a
w e r e o n a n a t i o n a l b a s is a n d h e n c e d id n o t r e v e a l a n y
re g io n a l v a r ia t io n s i n t h e p e r c a p i t a in c o m e s o f th e
m e m b e r s o f th e s e q u a s i-i n s t i t u ti o n a l g ro u p s .
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , n o s o u r c e s o f d a t a o n t h e in c o m e s of
r e s i d e n t s o f la b o r c a m p s o r o f c re w s o n v e s s e ls w e re
d is c o v e re d . I t w a s a s s u m e d th e r e f o r e — c h ie fly o n t h e
b a s is o f o c c u p a tio n a l s im ila r it ie s — t h a t t h e p e r c a p i t a
in c o m e s o f t h e f o r m e r g r o u p w e re s im ila r to th o s e o f
i n d iv id u a ls i n C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a ti o n C o r p s c a m p s , a n d
o f t h e l a t t e r g r o u p t o th o s e o f e n lis te d m e n a t A r m y a n d
N a v y p o s ts .
T h e a c c e p ta n c e o f p e r c a p i t a s u b s is te n c e c o s ts a s a
m e a s u r e o f t h e p e r s o n a l in c o m e s r e c e iv e d b y r e s id e n ts
o f i n s t i t u t i o n s p r o b a b ly r e s u l ts i n s o m e u n d e r e s t im a 
tio n , i n a s m u c h a s in c o m e f r o m o u ts id e s o u r c e s is n o t
in c lu d e d . I t w a s re c o g n iz e d t h a t m a n y r e s i d e n t s o f
s u c h i n s t i t u t i o n s r e c e iv e s o m e m o n e y in c o m e i n th e
f o r m o f e a r n in g s , g if ts f r o m r e la tiv e s , o r a n n u it i e s a n d
p e n s io n s . H o w e v e r, t h e a v a ila b le d a t a g a v e n o in f o r 
m a t io n c o n c e rn in g s u c h in c o m e a n d n o a t t e m p t w a s
m a d e to a c c o u n t f o r i t i n t h e e s tim a te s .
T h e p e r s o n a l in c o m e e s t im a t e s f o r t h e q u a s i - i n s ti t u t io n a l g r o u p s , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , p r o b a b ly o v e r s ta t e
t h e a m o u n t a c t u a l l y d e v o te d to t h e p e r s o n a l u s e o f t h e
in d iv id u a ls , b e c a u s e p a r t o f t h e m o n e y in c o m e fro m
s a la r ie s w o u ld u n d o u b te d ly g o to t h e s u p p o r t o f t h e i r
fa m ilie s . T o t h e e x t e n t t h a t th e s e a m o u n t s w e re n o t
d e d u c t e d f r o m t h e in c o m e s r e c e iv e d b y m e m b e r s o f t h e
6

S u p e r v is o r y a n d a d m in is tr a t iv e p e r s o n n e l w e r e e x c lu d e d fr o m th e s e p o p u la tio n

m e d i c a l c a r e r e c e iv e d b y in s titu t io n a l r e s id e n t s w a s c o m p a ra b le — in i t s s o c ia l o r ig in
a n d s u p p o r t a lth o u g h n o t i n a m o u n t—t o t h a t a v a il a b l e t o fa m ilie s a n d s in g le in d i

w e ig h ts , b e c a u s e t h e y w e r e p r e s u m a b l y in c l u d e d in t h e to t a l n u m b e r o f fa m ilie s a n d
s in g le in d iv id u a ls in t h e r e g io n .

v id u a ls th r o u g h p u b l ic c lin ic s a n d h e a lth a u t h o r iti e s . T h e s a m e p o i n t o f v i e w le d
t o t h e e x c lu s io n fr o m p e r s o n a l s u b s i s te n c e c o s ts o f a ll a d m in is tr a t iv e o v e r h e a d , in 

6 H e a rin g s b e fo r e t h e S u b c o m m i tte e o f th e C o m m i tte e o n A p p r o p r ia tio n s, H o u s e of
R e p r e s e n ta tiv e s .
7 A p p e n d ix G , p . 61.

c lu d i n g e x p e n s e s for e d u c a t io n a n d r e c r e a tio n .

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

92

q u a s i - i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p s t h e y a r e c o u n te d tw ic e in th e
n a t i o n a l e s tim a te s .
S in c e t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e e n ro lle e s i n t h e C iv ilia n
C o n s e r v a ti o n C o r p s a r e r e q u i r e d t o a llo c a te a d e f in ite
p r o p o r t io n o f t h e i r m o n t h l y w a g e s t o t h e i r d e p e n d e n t s ,
a n d s in c e th e s e a m o u n t s w e r e s p e c ific a lly r e p o r t e d o n
t h e s c h e d u le s c o lle c te d f r o m fa m ilie s i n te r v ie w e d i n t h e
S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s , t h e in c o m e e s t i m a t e s fo r
C iv ilia n C o n s e r v a ti o n C o r p s m e m b e r s h a v e in c lu d e d
o n ly t h a t p o r t i o n o f t h e w a g e s r e t a i n e d b y t h e e n r o lle e s .
T h e e s t i m a t e s f o r A r m y a n d N a v y p e r s o n n e l, h o w e v e r,
in c l u d e t h e t o t a l w a g e s re c e iv e d . T h e r e a p p e a r e d t o b e
n o a d e q u a t e b a s is f o r e s t i m a t i n g t h e p o r t i o n o f s u c h
in c o m e t r a n s f e r r e d t o fa m ilie s , e v e n if i t h a d s e e m e d
d e s ir a b le t o e x c lu d e i t f r o m t h e e s t im a t e s fo r th e s e
q u a s i - i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p s .8
P o p u la tio n W e ig h ts

T h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts t o b e a p p lie d a g a i n s t th e
s a m p le p e r c a p i t a in c o m e fig u r e s w e r e o b t a i n e d b y e s t i 
m a t i n g t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f in d i v i d u a l s i n e a c h t y p e o f
i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p i n e a c h g e o g r a p h ic re g io n , a s o f
J a n u a r y 1, 1 9 3 6 .9
T h e r e g io n a l p o p u la t io n e s t im a t e s f o r t h e r e s i d e n t s
o f t h e fiv e t y p e s o f i n s t i t u t i o n s p r o p e r w e r e b u i l t u p , b y
S ta t e s , f r o m t h e m is c e ll a n e o u s s o u r c e m a t e r i a l s lis te d
b e lo w :
1. P a t i e n t s i n H o s p it a l s fo r M e n t a l D i s e a s e , 1 9 3 1 - 3 2 , 1 9 3 4
and
2.
and
3.

1935 , U . S . B u re a u o f th e C en su s.
M e n t a l D e f e c t i v e s a n d E p i le p t i c s in I n s t i t u t io n s , 1 9 2 9 - 3 2
1935 , U . S . B u r e a u o f t h e C e n su s.
C h ild r e n u n d e r I n s t i t u t i o n a l C a r e a n d in F o s t e r H o m e s ,

1 9 3 3 , U . S . B u r e a u o f t h e C e n s u s (p . 5 ).
4 . J u v e n il e D e l in q u e n t s i n

P u b li c I n s t i t u t i o n s , 1 9 3 3 , U . S .

B u r e a u o f t h e C e n s u s (p . 3 ).
5 . C a r e o f D e p e n d e n t a n d N e g l e c t e d C h ild r e n , 1 9 3 2 — G le n n
S t e e l e , U . S . C h ild r e n ’s B u r e a u .
6 . C o u n t y a n d C i t y J a ils , 1 9 3 3 , U . S . B u r e a u o f t h e C e n s u s
(P- 2 ).
7 . P r i s o n e r s in S t a t e a n d F e d e r a l P r is o n s a n d R e fo r m a to r i e s ,
1 9 3 4 a n d 1 9 3 5 , U . S . B u r e a u o f t h e C e n s u s (p . 3 ).
8 . C a re o f A g ed P er so n s in t h e U n ite d S t a t e s , 1 9 29 , U . S.
B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t i s t i c s , B u l le t in 4 8 9 , O c t. 1 9 2 9 .
9 . N u m b e r o f A g e d i n P u b li c a n d P r i v a t e I n s t i t u t i o n s , 1 9 3 0 ,
M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , Y o l. 3 4 , p p . 2 5 3 - 2 6 1 .
1 0 . V a r i o u s S t a t e w e l fa r e a n d b u d g e t r e p o r t s l i s t e d a b o v e .10
8 I t is a d e b a ta b l e q u e s tio n w h e th e r or n o t s u c h d u p lic a tio n s h o u l d b e a v o id e d in
th e n a t io n a l e s t im a te s . I n o n e s e n s e , t h e tr a n s fe rs o f in c o m e t o fa m ilie s ar e tra n sfers
fr o m o n e c o n s u m in g u n i t t o a n o th e r a n d h e n c e a r e c o m p a r a b le t o g ifts for c u rr en t
c o n s u m p ti o n , w h i c h a p p e a r tw i c e i n t h e fa m il y in c o m e e s t im a t e s b a s e d o n t h e d a ta
fr o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s — i. e ., t h e y a r e n o t d e d u c te d fr o m th e in c o m e s
o f t h e fa m ilie s t h a t m a d e th e g ifts y e t t h e y a p p ea r in th e in c o m e s o f fa m ilie s th a t
r e c e iv e d th e m .
8 S e e fo o tn o te 4, p . 71.
10 S e e p p . 90 -91.

I n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e n u m b e r o f e n lis te d m e n a t A r m y
p o s t s w it h i n e a c h g e o g r a p h ic r e g io n a s o f J a n u a r y 1936
w a s a v a ila b le f r o m t h e h e a r in g s o n t h e m i l i t a r y e s t a b 
l is h m e n t a p p r o p r i a t i o n b ills f o r 1 9 3 7 a n d 1 93 8 . T h e
h e a r in g s o n t h e N a v y a p p r o p r i a t i o n b il ls f o r 1 9 3 7 a n d
1 9 3 8 g a v e t h e n u m b e r o f e n lis te d m e n i n t h e N a v y ,
w h o w e re c la s s ifie d b y r e g io n a c c o r d in g t o t h e p o r t
o f c a ll t o w h ic h t h e y w e r e a s s ig n e d . D a t a o n t h e
n u m b e r o f m e n w o r k in g i n l a b o r c a m p s a n d i n c re w s
o n v e s s e ls w e r e a v a ila b le o n ly f r o m t h e 1 9 3 0 C e n 
s u s . E s t i m a t e s f o r J a n u a r y 193 6 w e r e m a d e b y a s 
s u m in g a p r o p o r t i o n a t e in c r e a s e i n t h e i r n u m b e r s
c o r r e s p o n d in g t o t h e in c r e a s e t h a t h a s o c c u r r e d i n th e
g e n e r a l p o p u l a t i o n o v e r t h e s a m e p e r io d o f tim e , a n d
a r e g io n a l d is t r i b u t i o n s im ila r t o t h a t s h o w n b y t h e
1 930 C e n s u s .
T h e fin a l p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts fo r e a c h t y p e o f i n s t i 
t u t i o n a l g r o u p w it h i n e a c h re g io n a r e s h o w n i n t a b l e
35B .
A g g r e g a t e a n d A v e r a g e In c o m e s

N o a t t e m p t w a s m a d e t o o b t a i n a p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i 
b u t i o n o f t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n b y in c o m e le v e l,
a l t h o u g h i t w o u ld h a v e b e e n p o s s ib le t o d o so b y d e t e r 
m in in g t h e a v e r a g e p e r c a p i t a p e r s o n a l in c o m e f o r e a c h
i n s t i t u t i o n a l u n i t i n t h e s a m p le a n d d i s t r i b u t i n g t h e
r e s i d e n t s o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l u n i t s a c c o r d in g t o p e r c a p i t a
in c o m e le v e l, j u s t a s t h e f a m ilie s i n t h e s a m p le d a t a
f r o m t h e S t u d y o f C o n s u m e r P u r c h a s e s w e r e d is t r i b u t e d
b y in c o m e le v e l. A p e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n b y p e r
c a p i t a in c o m e le v e l c o u ld t h e n h a v e b e e n c a lc u la t e d f o r
e a c h ty p e of in s titu tio n a l g ro u p , a n d fo r th e to ta l in 
s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n . H o w e v e r , s u c h d i s t r i b u t i o n s
w o u ld h a v e b e e n o f l i t t l e o r n o v a l u e i n th e m s e lv e s , a n d
c o u ld n o t lo g ic a lly h a v e b e e n c o m b in e d w i t h t h e f a m i l y
d is trib u tio n in a s m u c h as th e l a t t e r w a s n o t o n a p e r
c a p i t a b a s is .
E s t i m a t e s o f t h e a g g r e g a te p e r s o n a l in c o m e s o f t h e
m e m b e r s o f t h e tw o q u a s i - i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p s , s h o w n
in t a b l e 16, w e r e o b t a in e d b y m u l ti p ly i n g t h e s a m p le
p e r c a p i t a in c o m e fig u r e f o r e a c h g r o u p b y t h e p o p u la 
tio n w e ig h t f o r t h a t g r o u p i n t h e t o t a l U n i t e d S ta t e s .
F o r t h e fiv e t y p e s o f i n s t i t u t i o n s p r o p e r , r e g io n a l e s t i 
m a t e s w e r e f i r s t o b t a in e d fo r e a c h g r o u p . T h e s e
r e g io n a l e s t i m a t e s w e r e t h e n c o m b in e d , b y t y p e , t o
o b t a i n t h e n a t i o n a l a g g r e g a te s f o r e a c h t y p e a n d f o r t h e
t o t a l i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n . T h e a v e r a g e p e r c a p i t a
in c o m e s w e r e c a lc u la t e d b y d iv id in g t h e n a t i o n a l a g g re 
g a t e s b y t h e n u m b e r o f in d i v i d u a l s i n t h e r e s p e c t i v e
g ro u p s a n d i n t h e t o t a l i n s t i t u t i o n a l p o p u la t io n .

A PPEN DI X B
STA TI STI CA L TABLES FOR REFERENCE USE

H E 3 5 t a b l e s p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s s e c ti o n h a v e b e e n
g r o u p e d u n d e r 4 g e n e r a l h e a d in g s , w h ic h a r e la r g e ly
s e lf - e x p la n a to r y .
I n t h e f i r s t g r o u p , T a b l e s U s e d a s B a s is f o r C h a r t s i n
P a r t s I a n d I I , a r e in c l u d e d s e v e n t a b l e s c o n t a i n in g t h e
b a s ic d a t a f o r c h a r t s 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 11, a n d 12. T h e
b a s ic d a t a f o r o t h e r c h a r t s i n t h e r e p o r t h a v e b e e n
p r e s e n t e d i n t e x t ta b le s .
T h e s e c o n d g r o u p o f ta b le s , F r e q u e n c y D i s t r i b u t i o n s
C o r r e s p o n d in g t o P e r c e n ta g e D i s t r i b u t i o n T a b l e s i n
P a r t I I , p r e s e n t t h e f r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s f r o m w h ic h
w e re c a lc u la t e d t h e p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s g iv e n i n
t e x t t a b l e s 5 , 8 , 10, a n d 12.
T h e t h i r d g r o u p , P e r c e n ta g e D i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r C o m 
p o n e n t G r o u p s o f F a m ilie s a n d S in g le I n d iv i d u a ls , i n 
c lu d e s t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s p r e p a r e d f o r c e r t a i n o f
t h e m i n o r c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s , w h ic h w e re
u s e d i n b u ild in g u p t h e in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r m a j o r
g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s b u t w e r e n o t p r e s e n t e d s e p a r a t e l y i n
th e m a in b o d y o f th e re p o r t. T h e s e d is trib u tio n s a re ,
i n m a n y in s t a n c e s , b a s e d o n s a m p le d a t a t o o s c a n t y t o
i n s u r e e s t im a t e s t h a t a r e a s r e lia b le a s th o s e p r e s e n t e d

T

L IS T

O F

i n t h e r e p o r t its e lf. A c c o rd in g ly , t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n s fo r
th e s e g r o u p s s h o u ld n o t b e u s e d w i t h o u t c a r e f u l a t t e n 
t i o n t o t h e l i m i t a t i o n s o f t h e s a m p le d a t a , w h ic h a r e
d is c u s s e d i n A p p e n d ix A . P a r t i c u l a r a t t e n t i o n is c a lle d
t o t h e l i m i t a t i o n s o f t h e r e g io n a l c o m p a r is o n o f in c o m e s ,
d is c u s s e d o n p a g e s 1 8, 2 2 - 2 3 , 3 6 , 5 5 , a n d 5 6 .
T h e 12 t a b l e s in c l u d e d u n d e r t h e h e a d in g , P o p u l a t i o n
W e ig h ts , s h o w t h e n u m b e r s a n d p e r c e n t s o f c o n s u m e r
u n i t s b e lo n g in g t o v a r io u s c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s o f t h e
p o p u l a t i o n f o r w h ic h in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s h a v e b e e n
p r e p a r e d . N o n r e lie f fa m ilie s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a r e
c la s s ifie d b y t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y a n d r e g io n , b y c o lo rn a t i v i t y , b y fa m ily - s iz e g r o u p s , a n d b y o c c u p a t io n a l
g r o u p s ; a n d r e lie f f a m ilie s b y t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y a n d
re g io n . S in g le i n d i v i d u a l s a r e c la s s ifie d b y r e lie f
s ta tu s a n d sex , a n d in s titu tio n a l re s id e n ts b y ty p e of
i n s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p a n d re g io n .
A d d it i o n a l t a b l e s , c o n t a i n in g m o r e d e t a il e d in f o r 
m a t i o n o n t h e p o p u la t io n w e ig h ts a p p l ie d a g a i n s t
t h e s a m p le in c o m e d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r v a r io u s g r o u p s
o f fa m ilie s , a r e t o b e f o u n d i n s e c tio n s 3 , 4 , a n d 6 o f
A p p e n d ix A .

A P P E N D IX

TABLES

P age

I . T a b le s u s e d a s b a s is f o r c h a r t s i n P a r t s I
and I I :
T a b l e I B . S h a r e o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e r e 
c e iv e d b y e a c h t e n t h o f N a 
t i o n ’s c o n s u m e r u n i t s a n d b y
upper
5 p e rc e n t,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
(b a s is f o r c h a r t s 3 a n d 4 ) ___

95

T a b l e 2 B . P r o p o r t i o n o f N a t i o n ’s c o n s u m e r
u n i t s re c e iv in g e a c h t e n t h o f
a g g r e g a te

in c o m e ,

1 9 3 5 -3 6

(b a s is f o r c h a r t 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T a b l e 3 B . F a m ilie s a n d

95

s in g le i n d iv id u a ls

in e a c h th ird

o f N a tio n , b y

t y p e o f c o n s u m e r u n i t , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
(b a s is f o r c h a r t 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

95

Page

T a b le 4 B . N o n re li e f fa m ilie s i n t h r e e in c o m e
g ro u p s, b y ty p e
of com 
m u n i t y a n d b y o c c u p a t io n a l
g ro u p ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
(b a s is fo r
c h a r t s 7 a n d 8 ) ___________
T a b le 5 B . A v e r a g e in c o m e s p e r c o n s u m e r
u n it a n d p e r c a p ita fo r each
t y p e o f c o n s u m e r u n i t , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
(b a s is f o r c h a r t 9 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T a b l e 6 B . S h a r e o f a g g r e g a t e f a m i l y in c o m e
r e c e iv e d b y e a c h t e n t h o f N a 
t i o n ’s fa m ilie s , 1 9 3 5 -3 6 (b a s is
fo r c h a r t 1 1 )______________
T a b le 7 B . P r o p o r t i o n o f N a t i o n ’s fa m ilie s
re c e iv in g e a c h t e n t h o f a g g r e 
g a t e f a m i l y in c o m e , 1 9 3 5 -3 6
(b a s is f o r c h a r t 1 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
93

96

96

96

96

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

94

P age

P age

II.

F r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s c o r r e s p o n d in g to
p e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n ta b l e s in P a r t I I :
T a b l e 8 B . F r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n 
r e lie f fa m ilie s o f f o u r s iz e s , b y
in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6 (b a sis
fo r t a b l e 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T a b le 9 B . F r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n 
re lie f fa m ilie s i n s ix t y p e s of
c o m m u n ity , b y in c o m e le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 (b a s is fo r t a b l e 8 ) __
T a b le 1 0 B . F r e q u e n c y d is t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n 
re lie f f a m ilie s i n s e v e n o c c u 
p a t i o n a l g ro u p s , b y in c o m e
le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6
(b a s is
fo r
T a b le 1 1 B .

t a b l e 1 0 )_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F re q u e n c y
d is t r i b u t i o n s
of
w a g e -e a r n in g fa m ilie s (n o n 
re lie f) i n fiv e t y p e s o f c o m 
m u n i t y , b y in c o m e le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 (b a s is f o r t a b l e 1 2 ) .

T a b l e 1 8 B . P e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s o f f a r m
fa m ilie s (n o n r e lie f) i n fiv e g e o 
g r a p h i c re g io n s , b y in c o m e
le v e l, 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T a b le 1 9 B . P e r c e n ta g e
d is trib u tio n s
of
w a g e - e a r n in g f a m ilie s (n o n 
re lie f) i n fiv e g e o g r a p h ic r e 
g io n s , b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 3 6 _______________________
T a b le 2 0 B . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f w h ite
a n d N eg ro fa rm a n d ru ra l
n o n f a r m f a m ilie s (n o n re lie f)
i n t h e S o u th , b y in c o m e le v e l,

97

97

1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T a b le 2 1 B .

97

97

T a b le 12B .

T a b le 1 3 B .

P e r c e n ta g e
d is trib u tio n s
of
fa m ilie s i n fiv e g e o g ra p h ic
re g io n s , b y in c o m e le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P e r c e n ta g e . d i s t r i b u t i o n s
of
n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s i n fiv e g e o 
g r a p h ic re g io n s , a n d o f re lie f
fa m ilie s , b y in c o m e le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

T a b le 1 4 B . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n re lie f f a m ilie s i n l a r g e c itie s
(1 0 0 ,0 0 0 t o 1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p u 
l a t i o n ) i n fiv e g e o g ra p h ic
re g io n s , b y in c o m e le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _
T a b l e 1 5 B . P e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n 
re lie f f a m ilie s i n m id d le -s iz e d
c it ie s (2 5 ,0 0 0 t o 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p 
u la t io n ) i n fiv e g e o g ra p h ic
re g io n s , b y in c o m e le v e l,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T a b l e 1 6 B . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n 
r e lie f f a m ilie s i n s m a ll c itie s
(2 ,5 0 0 t o 2 5 ,0 0 0 p o p u la t io n )
i n fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s , b y
in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _
T a b l e 1 7 B . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f r u r a l
n o n f a r m f a m ilie s (n o n re lie f)
i n fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s , b y
in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _

98

98

98

IV .

99

100

P e r c e n ta g e
d is trib u tio n s
of
w h i te a n d N e g r o f a m ilie s
(n o n r e lie f) i n t h r e e s iz e s o f
c it ie s i n t h e S o u th , b y in c o m e
le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

100

P e r c e n ta g e
d is t r i b u t i o n s
of
w h i te a n d N e g r o fa m ilie s
(n o n r e lie f) i n N o r t h C e n t r a l
m e tr o p o lis e s a n d la r g e c itie s ,
b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6 __

100

T a b l e 2 3 B . P e r c e n ta g e
d is trib u tio n s
of
s in g le m e n a n d s in g le w o m e n ,
b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 -3 6 __

100

P o p u l a ti o n w e i g h t s :
T a b l e 2 4 B . N u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s in
s ix t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y w i t h 
i n fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

101

T a b l e 2 5 B . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n 
r e lie f fa m ilie s , b y t y p e o f
c o m m u n i t y a n d re g io n , 1 9 3 5 3 6 _______________________

101

T a b le 22B .

I I I . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s b y in c o m e le v e l fo r
c o m p o n e n t g r o u p s o f fa m ilie s a n d s in g le
i n d iv id u a ls :

99

T a b l e 2 6 B . N u m b e r o f r e lie f f a m ilie s i n six
t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y w ith in
fiv e g e o g r a p h ic re g io n s , 1 9 3 5 36_______________________

101

T a b l e 2 7 B . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f r e 
lie f fa m ilie s , b y t y p e o f c o m 
98

99

99

m u n i t y a n d re g io n , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 .

102

T a b le 2 8B . N u m b e r a n d p e rc e n t o f n o n re 
lie f fa m ilie s i n t h r e e c o lo r
g ro u p s i n fiv e t y p e s o f c o m 
m u n i t y i n t h e S o u th , 1 9 3 5 36_______________________

102

T a b le 2 9B . N u m b e r a n d p e r c e n t o f n o n re 
lie f f a m ilie s i n t h r e e c o lo r
g ro u p s i n N o r t h C e n t r a l la r g e
c itie s a n d m e tr o p o lis e s , 1 9 3 5 —
36_______________________

102

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

95
Page

T a b l e 3 0 B . N u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s o f
f o u r s iz e s i n s ix t y p e s o f c o m 
m u n i t y a n d i n fiv e g e o g ra p h ic
re g io n s , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 __________
T a b l e 3 1 B . P e r c e n ta g e d is t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n 
re lie f f a m ilie s o f f o u r s iz e s , b y
ty p e o f c o m m u n ity a n d r e 
g io n , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T a b l e 3 2 B . N u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s i n
e ig h t o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s in
fiv e t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y a n d
i n fiv e g e o g ra p h ic re g io n s ,
1 9 3 5 -3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Ta bl e

IB

.— S h a r e

o f

N a t i o n ’s c o n s u m e r

a g g r e g a te

in c o m e

u n its

by

an d

r e c e iv e d

u pper

5

by

ea ch

p e r c e n t,

Page

102

103

103
te n th

of

T a b le 3 3 B . P e r c e n ta g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n 
r e lie f fa m ilie s i n e i g h t o c c u 
p a tio n a l g ro u p s, b y ty p e of
c o m m u n i t y a n d re g io n , 1 9 3 5 3 6 _______________________

104

T a b l e 3 4 B . N u m b e r a n d p e r c e n t o f s in g le
in d iv id u a ls , b y r e lie f s t a t u s
a n d se x , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

104

T a b l e 3 5 B . N u m b e r o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i
d e n t s i n n in e t y p e s o f i n 
s t i t u t i o n a l g r o u p i n fiv e g e o 
g r a p h i c re g io n s , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 ___

104

Ta bl e

2 B .—

1 9 3 5 -3 6

P r o p o r tio n
ea ch

te n th

of

N a t i o n ’s

co n su m er

o f a g g r e g a te in c o m e ,

[B a s is for c h a r t s 3 a n d 4]

I n c o m e ra n g e

H ig h e s t 1 p e r c e n t _ _ _ _ _ _

$9,100 a n d o v e r ______

H ig h e s t 3 p e r c e n t ______

$4,325 a n d o v e r . __ _ _ _ _

H ig h e s t 5 p e r c e n t ......... .

$3,400 a n d o v e r ______

H ig h e s t t e n t h _________
N in th te n th ___________

F i f t h t e n t h _ _ _ _ _ ______

A m ou nt
(in
m illio n 's)

$ l,9 2 5 -$ 2 ,6 0 0
$ l ’54 0-$ 1*925
$1,275-$1,540
$1 ,0 70-$ 1,275__
$880~ $1,070_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$720-$880
$5 45-$720__
$3 40-$ 545 .

Ta bl e

3 B .—

F a m ilie s

P ercen t
in ea ch
g r ou p

$ 8 ,1 7 8
10 ,904
1 2 ,8 59
14, 518
16,118

1 3 .8
1 8 .4
2 1 .7
2 4 .5
2 7 .2

$2 1,452
8 ,59 3
6 ,81 5
5,5 1 1
4 ,44 4
3,9 1 1
3, 259
2, 548
1,71 9
1,007

3 6 .2
1 4 .5
1 1 .5
9 .3
7 .5
6 .6
5 .5
4 .3
2 .9
1 .7

$59, 259

10 0 .0

and

r e c e iv in g

[B a s is for c h a rt 5]
A g g r e g a te in c o m e

P r o p o r tio n o f fa m ilie s
a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls

u n its

1 9 3 5 -3 6

F a m i li e s a n d s in g le in d iv id u a ls

C u m u la 
tiv e
percent

P r o p o r tio n o f a g g r e g a te
in c o m e

P ercen t
i n ea c h
group

N um ber

10 0.0
6 3 .8
4 9 .3
3 7 .8
2 8 .5
2 1 .0
1 4 .4
8 .9
4 .6
1 .7

s in g le in d iv id u a ls in

In c om e range

S e v e n th t e n t h ___ _ _ _ _ _ _
S i x th t e n t h ___________
F ifth t e n t h _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _
T h ir d t e n t h _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
L o w es t t e n t h _ __ __ __ __ _

ea ch th ir d

o f N a tio n ,

$4,900-$14,600
$ 3 |l0 0 -$ 4 ,9 0 0
$ 2 ,375-$ 3,100________
$ l,9 5 0 -$ 2 ,3 7 5 ________
$1 ,6 1 0 -S l,950________
$1,320-$1,610
$ 1 ,040-$ 1,320________
$ 7 60 -$ l,0 4 0
U n d e r $760_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

b y ty p e

o f c o n su m e r u n it,

19 7.000
75 0 .00 0
1 ,61 8 , 000
2 ,24 9 , 000
2 ,8 0 1 ,0 0 0
3 ,43 3 , 000
3, 985, 000
5 ,13 0 , 000
6, 55 0,000
12, 745, 000

0 .5
1 .9
4 .1
5 .7
7 .1
8 .7
1 0 .1
1 3 .0
1 6 .6
3 2 .3

3 9 ,4 5 8 ,00 0

10 0 .0

C u m u la 
tiv e
p ercen t

1 0 0 .0
9 9 .5
9 7 .6
9 3 .5
8 7 .8
8 0 .7
7 2 .0
6 1 .9
4 8 .9
3 2 .3

1 9 3 5 -3 6

[B a s is fo r c h a rt 6]
N u m b e r o f c o n su m e r u n i ts in —

P e r c e n ta g e o f c o n s u m e r u n i ts in —

A l l in co m e
c la s se s

L ow er
th ir d ,
in c o m e s
u n d e r $780

M id d le
th ir d ,
in c o m e s o f
$780 to
$1,450

U pper
th ir d ,
in c o m e s o f
$1,450 a n d
o ver

A l l in 
com e
c la s se s

5 ,50 9 , 262
3 ,06 3 ,20 1

1, 71 4,138
1 ,59 0, 226

2,176, 205
94 0,020

1 ,61 8 ,91 9
53 2,955

1 3 .9
7 .8

1 3 .0
12.1

T o t a l ______ ______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

8 ,5 7 2 ,4 6 3

3 ,30 4 , 364

3,11 6 , 225

2 ,1 5 1 ,8 7 4

2 1 .7

F a m i lie s of—
2 p erson s _ _ __ __ __ __ __ __ _
3 -4 p e rs o n s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_
5 -6 p e r s o n s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
7 o r m o r e p e r s o n s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______ __

6,66 8, 850
11,170, 365
4 ,8 0 4 ,3 7 9
2, 26 9,583

2, 017, 505
2, 314, 794
959, 222
56 1,885

2, 274, 486
3,69 9, 034
1 ,60 4 ,46 7
78 0 ,18 0

2, 376,
5 ,15 6,
2 ,24 0,
927,

859
537
690
518

2 4 ,91 3 ,17 7

5 ,8 5 3 ,4 0 6

8 ,3 5 8 ,1 6 7

1 ,48 5 ,57 2
4 ,4 8 7 ,0 8 0

2,611’ 681

1, 383, 313

5 ,9 7 2 ,6 5 2

T y p e o f c o n su m e r u n i t

N o t r e c e iv in g relief: 1
S in g le in d iv id u a ls :
M en _ __________
W o m e n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ . . .

T o ta l _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R e c e iv in g s o m e r e l i e f : 1
S in g le in d i v id u a ls __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F a m ilie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T o ta l___________ _________ _________
A l l c o n su m e r u n i t s : 2
S in g le in d iv id u a ls _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
F a m i l i e s . . . __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _
T o ta l ............ ............................. ............

P e r c e n ta g e o f g r o u p in —

U pper
th ir d

A ll in 
com e
c la s se s

1 6 .5
7 .2

1 2 .3
4 .1

1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0

3 1 .1
5 1 .9

3 9 .5
3 0 .7

2 9 .4
1 7 .4

2 5 .1

2 3 .7

1 6 .4

1 0 0 .0

3 8 .5

3 6 .4

2 5 .1

1 6 .9
2 8 .3
1 2 .2
5 .7

1 5 .3
17.6
7 .3
4 .3

1 7 .3
28. 1
1 2 .2
5 .9

18.1
3 9 .2
1 7 .0
7 .0

1 0 0 .0
10 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
1 0 0 .0

3 0 .3
2 0 .7
2 0 .0
2 4 .7

3 4 .1
33 .1
3 3 .4
3 4 .4

3 5 .6
4 6 .2
4 6 .6
4 0 .9

1 0 ,7 0 1 ,60 4

6 3 .1

4 4 .5

6 3 .5

8 1 .3

1 0 0 .0

2 3 .5

3 3 .5

4 3 .0

102, 259
1,5761113

29 9,286

3 .8
1 1 .4

1 0 .5
1 9 .9

.8
1 2 .0

2 .3

10 0 .0
1 0 0 .0

9 3 .1
5 8 .2

6 9
3 5 .1

6 .7

3 ,9 9 4 ,9 9 4

1 ,67 8, 372

299, 286

1 5 .2

3 0 .4

1 2 .8

2 .3

1 0 0 .0

6 6 .9

2 8 .1

5 .0

10, 058,035
2 9 ,4 0 0 ,25 7

4, 687, 677
8 ,4 6 5 ,0 8 7

3, 218,484
9, 934, 280

2,15 1, 874
1 1 ,0 0 0 ,89 0

2 5 .5
7 4 .5

3 5 .6
6 4 .4

2 4 .5
7 5 .5

16 .4
8 3 .6

10 0 .0
10 0 .0

4 6 .6
2 8 .8

3 2 .0
3 3 .8

2 1 .4
3 7 .4

39 ,4 58, 292

13 ,1 52, 764

13,152, 764

13,152, 764

1 0 0 .0

1 0 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

1 0 0 .0

3 3 .3

3 3 .3

3 3 .4

L o w e r M id d le
th ir d
th ir d

L o w e r M id d le
th ir d
th ir d

U pper
th ir d

1 F a m ilie s a r e c la ss ifie d a s r e c e iv in g r e lie f i f t h e y r e c e iv e d a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i tt l e ) a t a n y ti m e d u r in g y e a r . M a n y s u c h fa m ilie s w e re d e p e n d e n t o n r e lie f
fo r p a r t o f th e y e a r o n ly , a n d th e n m a y h a v e b e e n o n l y p a r tia ll y d e p e n d e n t . T h e in c o m e s o f th e r e lie f g r o u p th e re fo r e in c l u d e e a r n in g s fr o m r eg u lar e m p l o y m e n t a n d o th e r n o n 
r e lie f in c o m e a s w e ll a s d ir e c t relief, in c a sh a n d k i n d , a n d w o r k -r e lief e a r n in g s . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , see p . 42.
2 E x c lu d e s in s titu t io n a l g r o u p s . S e e ta b le 16.

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

96

Ta bl e

4 B .—

N o n r e lie f f a m ilie s 1 in

th r e e in c o m e g r o u p s , b y ty p e

o f c o m m u n ity a n d

b y o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p

,1
2

1 9 3 5 -3 6

[B a s is for c h a r ts 7 a n d 8]

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p
A l l in c o m e
g r ou p s

M e tr o p o lis e s : 3
1.500.000 p o p u la tio n a n d o v e r .
L a r g e c ities :
100.000 to 1,500,000 p o p u la tio n .
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
25.000 to 100,000 p o p u l a t i o n .. . .
S m a ll c ities :
2,500 to 25,000 p o p u l a t io n -----R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n i tie s 4----F arm s_______________________

L ow er
group
in c o m es
under
$780

M id d le
group
in c o m e s
o f $780
to $1,450

U pper
group
in c o m e s
o f $1,450
a n d o v er

A ll
in c o m e
g r ou p s

L ow er
g r ou p

M id d le
g rou p

U pper
g r ou p

A ll
in co m e
groups

L ow er
g r ou p

M id d le
g rou p

U pper
g r ou p

2 ,8 0 6 ,9 1 6

29 7,372

76 2,362

1 ,74 7 ,18 2

1 1 .3

5 .1

9 .1

16 .3

10 0 .0

1 0 .6

2 7 .2

4,66 6, 708

710, 553

1 ,40 1 ,89 2

2, 554,263

1 8 .7

12 .1

1 6 .8

2 3 .9

10 0 .0

1 5 .2

3 0 .1

5 4 .7

2,60 7, 589

493,383

914, 581

1 ,19 9, 625

1 0 .4

8 .4

1 0 .9

1 1 .2

10 0 .0

1 8 .9

3 5 .1

4 6 .0

4,07 9 , 741
4, 585, 665
6,16 6, 558

87 0,129
1,165, 481
2 ,31 6, 488

1,45 3, 588
1. 647, 568
2 ,1 7 8 ,1 7 6

1,756, 024
1, 772, 616
1 ,67 1 ,89 4

1 6 .4
1 8 .4
2 4 .8

14 .9
19 .9
3 9 .6

1 7 .4
1 9 .7
2 6 .1

1 6 .4
16 .6
1 5 .6

10 0.0
10 0.0
10 0 .0

2 1 .3
2 5 .4
3 7 .6

3 5 .6
3 5 .9
3 5 .3

4 3 .1
3 8 .7
2 7 .1

10, 701, 604

T o ta l -----------------------------

2 4 ,91 3 ,17 7

5 ,8 5 3 ,4 0 6

8 ,3 5 8 ,1 6 7

W a g e -e a rn in g -------------------------F a r m in g ----------- --------------------C le r ic a l_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
B u s i n e s s -------------------------------P r o fe ss io n a l_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O th e r 5_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

9,45 9 , 277
6,16 6, 558
3, 626, 225
3, 485, 261
1 ,33 0 ,15 8
84 5,698

2. 301,803
2, 316, 488
284, 694
448, 363
6 5 ,8 08
436, 250

3,84 9 , 214
2 ,1 7 8 ,1 7 6
1,066, 106
834, 844
217, 625
212, 202

2 4 ,61 3 ,17 7

5 ,85 3, 406

8 ,3 5 8 ,1 6 7

T o ta l _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

P e r c e n ta g e o f c o m m u n it y o r
o c c u p a tio n a l g r ou p in —

P e r c e n ta g e o f fa m ilie s in —

N u m b e r o f fa m ilie s in —

6 2 .2

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

2 3 .5

3 3 .5

4 3 .0

260
894
425
054
725
246

3 7 .9
2 4 .8
1 4 .5
1 4 .0
5 .4
3 .4

3 9 .3
3 9 .6
4 .9
7 .7
1 .1
7 .4

4 6 .0
26. 1
12.8
1 0 .0
2 .6
2 .5

3 0 .9
1 5 .6
2 1 .3
2 0 .6
9 .8
1 .8

10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0 .0
10 0 .0
10 0.0
100. 0

2 4 .3
3 7 .6
7 .9
12 .9
4 .9
5 1 .6

4 0 .7
3 5 .3
2 9 .4
2 3 .9
1 6 .4
2 5 .1

3 5 .0
2 7 .1
6 2 .7
6 3 .2
7 8 .7
2 3 .3

10, 701, 604

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

2 3 .5

3 3 .5

4 3 .0

3, 308,
1, 671,
2, 275,
2 ,20 2,
1,046,
197,

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r lit tl e ) a t a n y ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
2 F a m i lie s a r e c la s sifie d a c co rd in g to o c cu p a tio n fr o m w h i c h la rg e st a m o u n t o f fa m ily e a r n in g s w a s d e r iv ed , ra th e r th a n a c co rd in g to o c c u p a tio n o f th e p r in c ip a l earn er.
th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p p . 25 a n d 44.
3 M e tr o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e a r e in N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n o n l y ( N e w Y o r k , C h ica g o , P h ila d e lp h ia , a n d D e tr o it) .
4 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s li v i n g in c o m m u n it ie s w i th p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s li v i n g in th e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s.
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s w i t h n o in c o m e fro m e a r n in g s d u r in g th e y e a r , a n d v illa g e a n d c i t y fa m ilie s w i th m a jo r e a r n in g s fro m fa r m in g .

Tabl e

5 B .—

A verage

in c o m e s

per

co n su m er

u n it

and

per

c a p ita

Tabl e

6 B .—

S h are

of

a g g r e g a te f a m i l y

in c o m e

r e c e iv e d

F o r fu r

by

each

te n t h o f N a t i o n ’s f a m i l i e s , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

f o r ea ch ty p e o f c o n su m e r u n it, 1 9 3 5 -8 6

[B a s is for c h a rt 11]
[B a s is for c h a r t 9]
A g g i e g a te in c o i n e
C o n s u m e r u n i ts

A v e ra g e in c o m e (m e a n )

T y p e o f c o n su m e r u n i t
N um ber

N o t r e c e iv in g r e l ie f:1
S in g le in d iv id u a ls :

F a m i lie s of—

R e c e iv i n g s o m e r e l ie f:1

A ll c o n su m e r u n i ts 2__ . .

P ercen t

P er con
s u m e r u n it

P e r c a p ita

5,50 9 , 262
3 ,06 3 , 201

1 3 .9
7 .8

$1 ,331
1,18 8

$1 ,331
1,188

8 ,5 7 2 ,4 6 3

2 1 .7

$1 ,280

$ 1 ,2 80

6 ,6 6 8 ,8 5 0
11,170, 365
4,80 4 , 379
2, 269, 583

1 6 .9
2 8 .3
1 2 .2
5 .7

$1 ,549
1,864
1,905
1,78 7

$774
542
355
221

2 4 ,91 3 ,17 7

6 3 .1

$1 ,781

$463

1,48 5, 572
4 ,4 8 7 ,0 8 0

3 .8
11 .4

$407
740

$407
165

5 ,9 7 2 ,6 5 2

1 5 .2

$657

$182

3 9 ,4 5 8 ,29 2

10 0 .0

$1, 502

$470

1 F a m i lie s a r e c la s sifie d a s r e c e iv in g r e lie f i f th e y r e c e iv e d a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e l ie f
(h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y t i m e d u r in g y e a r . M a n y s u c h fa m ilie s w e r e d e p e n d e n t o n
r e lie f for p a r t o f th e y e a r o n l y , a n d th e n m a y h a v e b e e n o n l y p a r tia lly d e p e n d e n t.
T h e in c o m e s o f th e r e lie f g r o u p th e re fo r e in c l u d e e a r n in g s fr o m r eg u lar e m p lo y m e n t
a n d o th e r n o n r e lie f in c o m e a s w e l l a s d ir e c t r e lief, in c a s h a n d k i n d , a n d w o r k -r e lief
e a r n in g s . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
2 E x o lu d e s in s titu t io n a l g r o u p s . S e e ta b le 16.

P ro p o r tio n o f fa m ilie s

I n c o m e ra n g e

N i n t h t e n t h ___ _ _ _ _ _ _.

$2 ,0 50-$ 2,800________
$ l,6 7 5 -$ 2 ,0 5 0 ________
$1,375—$1,675_....... ........
$1,160—$ 1,375......... ........
$ 9 70-$ 1,160_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 8 0 0 -$ 9 7 0 ._____ _____
$6 10-$800_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 10-$610_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
U n d e r $410________

T o ta l___________

Tabl e

7 B .—

P r o p o r tio n

P ercen t
i n e ac h
g r ou p

A m ount
(in m i l 
lio n s )
$17,164
7 , 009
5 ,10 2
4 , 577
3' 624
3' 194
2 , 527
2,19 3
1,383
906

36. 0
1 4 .7
1 0 .7
9 .6
7 .6
6 .7
5 .3
4 .6
2 .9
1 .9

$47.679

10 0 .0

o f N a t i o n ’s f a m i l i e s

r e c e iv in g

C um u
l a t iv e
percent
100. 0
6 4 .0
49. 3
38. 6
2 9 .0
2 1 .4
1 4 .7
9. 4
4 .8
1 .9

each

te n th

o f a g g r e g a te f a m i l y in c o m e , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

[B a s is for c h a rt 12]
F a m ilie s
P r o p o r tio n o f a g g re g a te
in c o m e
H ig h e s t t e n t h . __ _____
N in th te n th _ __ __ __ __ __

L ow est te n th __________
T o t a l . _________

I n c o m e ra n g e

$16,000 a n d o v e r ..........
$5,450-$16,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3 ,3 00-$ 5,450____
$2 ,5 25-$ 3,300_ _ _ _ _ _
$2,075-$2,525____
$ l,7 2 5 -$ 2 ,0 7 5 __
$1,410—$1,725______
$ 1 ,1 25-$ 1,410_ _
$ 8 2 0 -$ l,1 2 5 __
U n d e r $820_________

N u m ber
147.000
58 8.000
1 .2 0 5 .0 0 0
1,705, 000
2 ,11 7 , 000
2 ,49 9 , 000
3 .1 1 6 .0 0 0
3 ,79 3 , 000
4 .9 6 9 .0 0 0
9. 261, 000
2 9 .4 0 0 .0 0 0

P ercent
in each
g r ou p
0 .5
2 .0
4 .1
5 .8
7 .2
8 .5
1 0 .6
1 2 .9
1 6 .9
3 1 .5

C u m u la 
t iv e per
cent
10 0 .0
9 9 .5
9 7 .5
9 3 .4
8 7 .6
8 0 .4
7 1 .9
6 1 .3
4 8 .4
3 1 .5

1 0 0 .0 1_ _ _ _ _ _ _

97

•C o n su m e r I n c o m e s

Ta bl e

8 B .— F r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n r e l i e f f a m i l i e s 1 o f f o u r
s i z e s , b y i n c o m e l e v e l , 1 9 3 5 —3 6

Ta bl e

1 0 B .— F r e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n r e l i e f f a m i l i e s 1 i n s e v e n
o c c u p a ti o n a l g r o u p s 2 b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 - 3 6
[B a s is for ta b le 10]

[B a s is for ta b le 5]

F a m ilie s i n —

F a m i lie s of—
A l l fa m i
lie s

In c o m e le v e l

2 p e rs on s

3 -4 p e rs on s

5 -6 p e rs on s

7 or m o re
p e rs on s

U n d e r $250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 5 0 -$ l,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,000-$1,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

703, 765
1, 950, 545
2, 818, 654
3, 33 7,160
3,27 7 , 862

34 1,075
713, 209
855, 371
946, 034
903, 707

235, 503
75 5,452
1 ,16 3 ,13 1
1 ,40 9, 705
1 ,47 3, 399

83, 255
301, 704
500, 679
64 5,466
609, 354

43,
180,
299,
335,
291,

932
180
473
955
402

$1,250-$1,500________
$1,500-$1,750________
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,00 0 ________
$2 ,000-$2,250________
$2,250-$2,500________

2, 689, 634
2, 255, 358
1, 829, 835
1,36 1 ,40 3
1,006, 568

674, 560
548, 830
420, 428
31 1,750
230, 806

1 ,23 6,
1,071,
896,
652,
488,

963
380
221
304
890

536, 044
43 7.188
370, 306
284, 180
207,051

242,
197,
142,
113,
79,

067
960
880
169
821

$2 ,500-$3,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,000-$3,500________
$3,500-$4,000________
$4,000-$4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4,500-$5,000________

1, 304,
743,
438,
249,
152,

010
559
428
948
647

25 1,036
149, 381
80, 397
46, 378
33, 208

648, 614
360, 775
216, 657
108, 864
69, 582

283, 347
165, 442
103, 455
68, 793
3 2 ,1 8 6

121,013
67, 961
37, 919
25, 913
17, 671

$5,000-$7,500________
$7,500-$10,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$10,000 a n d o v e r . __

322, 950
187, 060
283, 791

6 1 ,9 1 2
41, 995
58, 773

152,821
93, 941
136,163

7 7 ,4 87
39, 470
58, 972

30, 730
11, 654
29, 883

A l l l e v e ls ______

2 4 ,9 1 3 ,17 7

6, 668, 850

1 1 ,1 7 0 ,36 5

4 ,80 4 , 379

2, 269, 583

W agee ar n in g
group

Ta bl e

9 B .—

F re q u e n c y d is tr ib u tio n s
ty p e s o f c o m m u n ity

,

o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

1

in s ix

b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

[B a s is for ta b le 8]

C ler ic a l
g rou p

17 ,710
62, 218
166, 746
333, 501
426, 946

$1 ,2 50-$ 1,500_ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,500-$ 1,750_____
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 _____
$2 ,0 00-$ 2,250_____
$ 2 ,250-$ 2,500_____

1 ,19 9,
926,
699,
450,
301,

435,
441,
399,
341,
256,

$ 2 ,5 00-$ 3,000_____
$ 3 ,000-$ 3,500_____
$ 3 ,500-$ 4,000_____
$ 4 ,000-$ 4,500_____
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000_ _ _ _ _ _

A ll l e v e l s ___

484
302
752
567
608

601,
433,
297,
188,
152,

571
590
221
336
309

I n c o m e le v e l

A ll
fa m ilie s

3 5 ,1 24
6 ,49 3
145,151 16, 403
216, 255 30, 333
250, 884 47, 036
293, 496 67, 407

In d e
pend
ent

599
1, 377
4, 248
8 ,7 1 3
1 7 ,4 2 2

64, 723
101, 111
103, 375
99, 274
8 6 ,0 8 5

232, 330 89, 832 15, 801
214, 801 94, 511 13, 002
181,611 104,179 16, 809
149,140 98, 322 14,415
104,183 7 7 ,0 7 7 17, 718

368,421
159,137
79, 918
35, 029
15, 831

177, 927
100, 745
59, 883
31, 395
1 7 ,0 32

322, 217
180, 624
97, 815
60, 373
27, 369

130, 848
101, 998
68, 234
40 ,004
27, 748

14 7,450 105, 256 3 1 ,3 0 9
8 9 ,8 34 69, 435 27, 556
56, 589 50, 962 17, 050
42, 693 2 8 ,0 1 9 14,786
28, 096 19, 727 13,121

19, 259

8 6 ,8 52

6 6 ,1 65

181,454

18 5,010 84, 233 127,007

9,45 9 , 277 6,16 6 , 558 3, 626, 225 1,112, 614 2, 372, 647 989, 225 340, 933

1 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a t io n , s e e p . 42.
2 F a m i lie s a r e c la s s ifie d a c co r d in g t o o c c u p a tio n fr o m w h i c h la r g e st a m o u n t o f fa m ily
e a r n in g s w a s d e r iv e d , r a th e r t h a n a c co r d in g to o c c u p a tio n o f t h e p r in c ip a l e arn e r .
F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p p . 25 a n d 44.
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s li v i n g o n fa r m s i n r u ra l a rea s o n l y .

1 1 B .—

F req u en cy

d is tr ib u tio n s

of

,

w a g e -e a r n in g

fa m ilie s 1

b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 8 5 - 3 6

[B a s is for ta b le 12]

R ural com 
m u n i tie s

F a m ilie s li v i n g in —
M id d le L a rg e
M etro p 
s iz ed
o lis e s ,12
c itie s ,
1,500,000 100,000
c itie s ,
25,000
to
p o p u la 
to
1,500,000 100,000
tio n
p
o
p
u
la

and
p o p u la 
tio n
tio n
o v er

S m a ll
c itie s ,
2,500 to
25,000
p o p u la 
tio n

N on
fa r m 3

F arm

U n d e r $250___
$250-$500_____
$5 00-$750_____
$ 7 5 0 -$ 1,000___
$1,000-*$1,250__

703, 765
1, 950, 545
2,81 8 , 654
3, 337,160
3, 277,862

47, 885
77, 468
144, 735
239, 333
307,041

94,
203,
356,
490,
575,

727
443
471
445
727

63,543
143, 236
246, 144
354, 908
361, 277

128,003
258, 129
419, 513
565, 640
596, 027

232, 040
137, 567
858, 963
409, 306
543, 391 1,108, 400
659, 790 1,027. 044
644, 540
793, 250

$1 ,2 5 0 -$ 1 ,50 0__
$1 ,5 00-$ 1,750__
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 .0 0 0 __
$ 2 ,000-$ 2,250__
$2 ,2 5 0 -$ 2 ,50 0__

2, 689, 634
2, 255, 358
1 ,8 2 9 ,8 3 5
1, 361, 403
1,00 6 , 568

30 8,117
30 2,198
272, 917
22 1,113
164,053

496,
466,
422,
321,
255,

022
650
211
733
208

302, 523
251, 767
222,108
158, 791
117,310

451,406
384, 661
319,119
238, 273
162, 249

529, 995
41 6,492
296, 259
233,157
155, 439

601,571
433, 590
297, 221
188,336
152,309

$2 ,5 00-$ 3,000—
$ 3 ,0 00-$ 3,500__
$ 3 ,5 0 0 -$ 4 ,00 0__
$ 4 ,0 00-$ 4,500__
$ 4 ,5 00-$ 5,000__

1, 304, 010
743, 559
438, 428
24 9,948
152, 647

238, 091
133, 346
80, 336
47,115
26, 377

33 2,087
196, 578
125,829
73,101
44,141

140, 029
81, 743
43, 770
26, 254
17,141

214, 524
126, 685
6 8 ,1 64
34, 821
22, 098

201, 352
104, 462
60 ,446
37, 262
25,858

177, 927
100, 745
5 9 ,8 83
31, 395
17 ,032

32 2,950
187, 060

60, 316
44, 251

8 3 ,1 3 0
49, 579

34,714
15,788

43,132
23, 614

61, 943
29, 594

3 9 ,7 15
24, 234

283, 791

92, 224

79, 626

26,543

23,683

3 8 ,8 1 2

22,903

$5 ,0 0 0 -$ 7 ,50 0--$7,500-$10,000 _ _
$10,000
and
o v e r ------ --

1, 545
3, 684
14, 380
31, 780
56,371

S a la 
r ied

289
478
800
101
873

{ n o n r e lie f)2 i n fiv e ty p e s o f c o m m u n ity

U r b a n c o m m u n itie s

Ind e
pendent

S a la 
r ie d

280, 697
232, 040
712, 252
858, 963
1,133, 992 1,108, 400
1,533, 853 1, 027, 044
1, 543,175
793, 250

Tabl e

F a m ilie s l i v i n g in —

F arm 
in g
group3

U n d e r $250_____ _
$250-$500________
$500-$750________
$7 50-$ 1,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,000-$ 1,250_____

$5,000 a n d o v e r ___
i
E x c l u d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.

P ro fe s s io n a l
group

B u s in e s s g r o u p
I n c o m e le v e l

A l l fa m i
lie s

I n c o m e le v e l

28 0,697
U n d e r $250_______
71 2,252
$2 50-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1,133, 992
$ 7 5 0 -$ l,00 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1, 533,853
$1,000-$1,250 _____ 1, 54 3,175

M e tr o p o 
lis e s , 3
1,500,000
p o p u la 
tio n a n d
o v er

L arge
c itie s ,
100.000 to
1.500.000
p o p u la 
tio n

M id d le s iz ed
c itie s ,
25,000 to
100,000
p o p u la 
tio n

14,081
4 1 ,0 67
85, 377
156, 764
193, 737

3 9 ,9 76
11 7,936
218, 618
31 7,855
332, 963

3 4 ,0 98
88, 293
175, 457
250, 960
242, 646

8 7 ,2 1 2
164, 272
285, 043
385, 370
396, 922

105,
300,
369,
422,
376,

S m a ll
c itie s ,
2,50 0 to
25,000
p o p u la 
tio n

R ural
com 
m u n i tie s

330
684
497
904
907

$1 ,2 50-$ 1,500______
$ 1 ,500-$ 1,750______
$1 .7 5 0 -$ 2 ,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _
$2,000-$2,250______
$2,2 50-$ 2,500 _.........

1,199,
926,
699,
450,
301,

484
302
752
567
608

196, 992
171, 299
140, 750
96, 928
71,214

276, 468
23 6,168
198, 826
127, 362
86, 380

183, 535
141, 346
106,139
67, 600
43, 576

277, 649
210,821
163, 700
107,168
74, 960

26 4 ,84 0
166, 668
90, 337
51, 509
25, 478

$2,50D-$3,000 _____
$3 ,0 00-$ 3,500______
$3 ,5 00-$ 4,000______
$4 ,0 00-$ 4,500______
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000______

368,
159,
79,
35,
15,

421
137
918
029
831

104, 913
47, 758
24, 647
10, 542
4 ,97 9

109, 002
47, 508
2 5 ,1 58
10,923
4 ,24 0

42, 818
17, 050
7 ,37 7
3, 573
2, 635

81, 784
38, 273
19, 495
6, 780
2 ,72 2

29, 904
8, 548
3, 241
3,21 1
1, 255

2 ,47 2

3, 634

19 ,259

7,39 3

5, 760

A ll l e v e l s . ___ 9, 45 9,277

1, 368, 441

2 ,1 5 5 ,1 4 3

$5,000 a n d o v e r .

__

1, 409, 575 2, 305, 805

2, 220, 313

A l l l e v e l s ___ 2 4 ,9 1 3 ,17 7 2 ,8 0 6 ,9 1 6 4, 666, 708 2 ,60 7 ,58 9 4,07 9 , 741 4 ,5 8 5 ,6 6 5 6,16 6, 558
1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lief (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y tim e
d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 M e t r o p o lis e s o f t h i s s iz e a re i n N o r th C e n tra l R e g io n o n l y (N e w Y o r k , C h ic a g o ,
P h il a d e lp h ia , a n d D e t r o i t ) .
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l i v i n g in c o m m u n i tie s w i t h p o p u l a t io n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s
l i v i n g in t h e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s.

1 F a m ilie s a re c la s s ifie d a c c o r d in g to o c c u p a tio n fro m w h i c h la r g e s t a m o u n t o f fa m i l y e a r n in g s w a s d e r i v e d , r a th e r th a n a c co r d in g to o c c u p a tio n o f t h e p r in c ip a l ea r n e r.
F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p p . 25 a n d 44.
2 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
3 M etr o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e ar e i n N o r th C e n tra l R e g io n o n l y (N e w Y o r k , C h ica g o ,
P h il a d e lp h ia , a n d D e t r o it ) .

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

98

Ta bl e

1 2 B .— P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f f a m i l i e s 1 i n f i v e g e o g r a p h i c
r e g i o n s ,2 b y i n c o m e l e v e l , 1 9 3 5 - 8 6

Ta bl e

1 4 B .— P e r c e n t a g e
(1 0 0 ,0 0 0 to

la r g e c itie s

d is tr ib u tio n s

of

n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

1 ,5 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p u la tio n ) i n

jiv e

1

in

g e o g r a p h ic

r e g io n s ,2 b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 8 5 - 8 6

N ew
E n g la n d
r e g io n

In c o m e lev e l

N o r th
C e n tr a l
r eg io n

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

M oun
ta in a n d
P la in s
r e g io n

P a c ific
r e g io n

U n d e r $250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 50-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 5 0 -$ !,00 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,000-$1,250.................. .............

2 .1
5 .0
1 1 .3
1 6 .3
1 6 .5

3 .2
6 .9
10.1
1 4 .7
1 4 .5

5 .3
1 7 .7
18 .3
1 4 .0
1 0 .2

6 .0
1 1 .5
1 5 .5
1 5 .1
1 1 .9

3 .2
6 .1
9 .2
1 3 .4
1 4 .6

$1 ,250-$1,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,500-$1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2,000-$2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2,250-$2,500-----------------------

1 1 .8
9 .1
7 .3
5 .2
3 .5

1 0 .9
8 .9
7 .3
5 .4
4 .0

7 .4
5 .9
4 .4
3 .5
2 .7

9 .0
7 .4
5 .8
4 .6
2 .9

1 0 .5
9 .6
8 .5
6 .5
4 .3

$2,500-$3,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,000-$3,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,500-$4,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,000-$4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000 _._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3 .9
2 .1
1 .3
.7
.4

5 .1
2 .8
1 .6
.9
.5

3 .5
2 .2
1 .4
.9
.6

3 .8
2 .4
1 .2
.7
.4

5 .4
2 .7
1 .5
1 .0
.6

$5,000-$7,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7,500-$10,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 0,000-$25,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$25,000-$50,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$50,000-$ 100,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 .0
1 .0
1 .2
.2
.1

1 .1
.8
1 .1
.2

1 .2
.4
.4

1 .0
.4
.4

1 .0
.8
.9
.2

$100,000 a n d o v e r ----------------10 0 .0

A l l l e v e l s -------------------

«
10 0.0

cj)
«

(■ )
«

i? )

10 0.0

N ew
E n g la n d
r eg ion

N o rth
C e n tr a l
r eg ion

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

M oun
ta i n a n d
P la in s
r eg io n

U n d e r $ 2 5 0 - ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 50-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$ 750____ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7 50-$ 1,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,000-$ 1,250....................... ........

1 .6
4 .8
9 .3
1 3 .6
1 5 .4

1 .5
2 .7
5 .7
9 .7
1 2 .5

3 .2
7 .7
1 1 .2
1 0 .8
9 .6

1 .4
2 .8
6 .4
1 0 .8
1 3 .5

2 .0
3 .9
6 .8
1 0 .4
1 3 .9

$1 ,2 50-$ 1,500__ _____ ______
$1 ,5 00-$ 1,750____ _ ____ _____
$1 ,7 50-$ 2,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 2 ,0 00-$ 2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 2 ,2 50-$ 2,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 1 .9
9 .5
8 .2
5 .4
3 .6

1 1 .6
1 0 .8
9 .7
7 .2
5 .6

8 .0
8 .3
7 .5
6 .3
6 .1

1 0 .7
1 0 .3
8 .5
7 .7
5 .1

1 1 .1
1 0 .8
1 0 .2
7 .7
5 .4

$2 ,5 00-$ 3,000________ ______
$ 3 ,0 00-$ 3,500________ _ _ _ _ _
$3 ,5 00-$ 4,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 4 ,0 00-$ 4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000________ ______

4 .8
2 .7
1 .7
.9
.5

7 .7
4 .7
2 .7
1 .6
.9

7 .0
4 .6
3 .6
1 .9
1 .3

7 .5
4 .5
2 .9
2 .0
1 .0

7 .0
3 .2
1 .9
1 .3
.7

$5 ,0 0 0 -$ 7 ,50 0....... . ......................
$7 ,5 00-$ 10,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$10,000 a n d o v e r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 .3
1 .8
3 .0

1 .9
1 .4
2 .1

2 .1
.4
.4

2 .7
.6
1 .6

1 .1
.9
1 .7

A l l le v e l s ..........................

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

I n c o m e le v e l

•

10 0 .0

10 0.0

I n c lu d e s b o t h r e lie f a n d n o n r e lie f fa m ilie s .
F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s in c lu d e d in s a m p le , s ee c h a r t 10. F o r d is c u s s io n o f
lim i ta t io n s o f t h e r e g io n a l c o m p a ris o n , s ee p p . 18, 22-23, 54 a n d 57.
3 L e s s th a n 0 .05 p e r c e n t.

P a c ific
r eg io n

1
2

Ta bl e

1 3 B .—

g e o g r a p h ic

P e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s o f n o n r e lie f f a m i l i e s 1 i n fiv e
r e g i o n s ,2 a n d

of

r e lie f

fa m ilie s ,l

by

in c o m e

le v e l,

Ta bl e

1 9 8 5 -S 6

M oun
ta i n a n d
P la in
r eg io n

U n d e r $250_______
$2 50-$ 500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00 -$ 7 5 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7 50-$ 1,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,000-$ 1,250........... .

1 .1
3 .5
8 .4
1 4 .6
1 6 .2

1 .9
4 .3
8 .5
1 3 .2
1 4 .2

4 .3
1 5 .3
1 7 .4
13 .8
1 0 .5

5 .5
7 .6
1 1 .6
1 3 .8
1 2 .9

2 .1
4 .2
7 .6
11. 2
14 .1

1 0 .2
2 3 .7
2 1 .9
2 1 .0
1 3 .5

$ 1 ,250-$ 1,500______
$1 ,5 0 0 -$ 1 ,75 0______
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 ______
$2 ,0 0 0 -$ 2 ,25 0______
$2 ,2 50-$ 2,500 __.........

1 3 .3
1 0 .3
8 .3
6 .0
4 .0

12 .1
1 0 .2
8 .4
6 .1
4 .6

8 .0
6 .5
4 .9
3 .9
3 .1

1 0 .8
8 .9
7 .0
5 .4
3 .6

1 1 .5
10.'9
9 .7
7 .4
4 .9

3 .9
2 .0
1 .5
1 .3
.8

$2 ,5 0 0 -$ 3 ,00 0______
$ 3 ,000-$ 3,500_ _ _ _ _ _
$ 3 ,500-$ 4,000______
$4 ,0 0 0 -$ 4 ,50 0______
$ 4 ,500-$ 5,000______

4 .7
2 .5
1 .5
.8
.5

6 .0
3 .3
1 .9
1 .0
.6

4 .1
2 .5
1 .7
1 .0
.7

4 .7
3 .0
1 .5
.9
.5

6 .2
3. 1
1 .8
1 .1
.7

.2

$5 ,0 0 0 -$ 7 ,50 0______
$7,5 00-$ 10,00 0_____
$1 0,000 -$25 ,0 00____
$25 000-150 00 0____

1 .3
1 .2
1 .5
.2
.1

1 .3
.9
1 .2
.2
.1

1 .4
.4
.5

1 .3
.5
.5

1 .2
1 .0
1 .1
.2

»O ■
P ■
o ■
3
O i
6

S !

A l l l e v e l s ___

«

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

d is tr ib u tio n s

c i t i e s { 2 5 ,0 0 0 to 1 0 0 ,0 0 0

of

n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

p o p u la tio n )

1

in

i n fiv e g e o g ra 

p h i c r e g i o n s ,2 b y i n c o m e l e v e l , 1 9 8 5 - 8 6

N o rth
C e n tr a l
r eg ion

$100,000 a n d o v e r . . .

P e r c e n ta g e

R e lie f
f a m il ie s 1

N ew
E n g la n d
r e g io n

S o u th 
ern
r eg io n

1 5 B .—

m id d le -s iz e d

N o n r e l ie f fa m ilie s 1 l iv i n g in —
I n c o m e le v e l

1 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i t t l e ) a t a n y
tim e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
2 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s in c l u d e d in s a m p le , s e e c h a rt 10. F o r d is c u s s io n o f
l im it a t io n s o f th e r e g io n a l c o m p a ris o n , s ee p p . 18, 22 -23, 54 a n d 57.

P a c ific
r e g io n

( 123)

( 3)

( 3)

( 3)

( 3)

«

«

(? )

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

N o rth
C e n tra l
r eg io n

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

U n d e r $2 50. ................ . ........ .
$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 5 0 -$ 1,000.... ........ ........ ........ .
$1 ,0 00-$ 1,250_________ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 .1
3 .7
8 .6
1 6 .2
1 6 .2

1 .6
4 .0
8 .6
1 4 .7
1 5 .1

5 .8
1 1 .2
1 3 .2
1 0 .4
8 .8

0 .8
3 .1
6 .7
9 .3
12 .0

2 .1
4 .0
7 .6
1 2 .5
1 6 .6

$1 ,2 50-$ 1,500....... ........................
$1,500-$1,750—......... . ............... .
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 2 ,000-$ 2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2,250-$2,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 3 .9
10 .1
8 .6
6 .1
3 .9

1 2 .5
1 0 .1
8 .7
6 .2
4 .6

7 .0
7 .4
7 .5
5 .3
4 .3

1 4 .7
11 .9
11 .2
8 .0
6 .2

1 2 .7
1 0 .9
9. 1
6 .7
4 .6

$ 2 ,500-$ 3,000...............................
$3 ,0 00-$ 3,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,500—$4,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,0 00-$ 4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000............ . .................

4 .5
2 .5
1 .1
.6
.5

5 .3
2 .7
1 .5
.9
.6

5 .7
4 .4
2 .4
1 .6
.9

6 .6
3 .7
1 .9
1 .0
.6

5 .6
3 .2
1 .3
.8
.4

$ 5 ,000-$ 7,500__ _____ ______
$7,5 00-$ 10,00 0________ _____
$10,000 a n d o v e r ....... .......... .......

.7
.6
1 .1

1 .1
.7
1 .1

2 .6
.5
1 .0

1 .1
.6
.6

.7
.6
.6

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

1000

10 0.0

1 0 0 .0

A l l l e v e l s ......... .............
1 T h e r e lie f g r o u p in c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r
l it tl e ) a t a n y t i m e d u r in g y e a r . T h e n o n r e lie f g r o u p in c lu d e s a ll o th er fa m ilie s . F o r
fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s i n c lu d e d i n s a m p le , s e e c h a rt 10. F o r d is c u s s io n o f
l im i ta t io n s o f t h e r eg ion a l c o m p a ris o n , s e e p p . 18, 22 -23, 54 a n d 57.
3 L e s s th a n 0.05 p e r c e n t.

M o u n ta in
and
P la i n s
r e g io n

N ew
E n g la n d
r e g io n

I n c o m e le v e l

P a c ific
r e g io n

1 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i t t l e ) a t a n y
ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a t io n , s ee p . 42.
2 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n it ie s in c l u d e d in s a m p le , s e e c h a r t 10. F o r d i s c u s s io n o f
lim it a t io n s o f th e r e g io n a l c o m p a ris o n , s e e p p . 18, 22 -23, 54 a n d 57.

99

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

Ta bl e

1 6 B .— P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n r e l i e f f a m i l i e s 1 i n
s m a l l c i t ie s (2 ,5 0 0 to 2 5 ,0 0 0 p o p u l a t i o n ) i n fiv e g e o g r a p h ic
r e g io n s ,2 b y i n c o m e le v e l, 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

Ta bl e

1 8 B .— P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f f a r m f a m i l i e s 1 { n o n 
r e lie f) 2 i n jiv e g e o g r a p h ic r e g io n s ,3 b y in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 8 5 - 3 6
S o u th e r n reg ion

N ew
E n g la n d
r eg io n

N o rth
C e n tra l
reg ion

S o u th e r n
r eg io n

M oun
ta i n a n d
P la in s
r eg io n

U n d e r $250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$250-$50Q_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$ 750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7 50-$ 1,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 ,0 00-$ 1,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

0 .6
1 .6
6 .9
1 4 .3
1 7 .0

2 .7
4 .9
9 .6
1 5 .4
1 5 .4

5 .9
1 2 .4
14. 7
1 2 .4
1 2 .3

1 .2
3 .5
7 .9
1 2 .3
1 4 .4

1 .7
3 .2
6 .4
10 .1
1 4 .8

$1 ,2 50-$ 1,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 ,5 00-$ 1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1.,750-$2,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 ,0 00-$ 2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 ,2 50-$ 2,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 4 .2
1 0 .1
7 .8
6 .3
4 .4

1 1 .6
1 0 .0
8 .3
5 .8
4 .1

8 .7
7 .0
5 .8
4 .5
3 .0

1 1 .0
1 1 .2
8 .6
7 .7
4 .6

1 1 .7
1 1 .7
1 0 .5
8 .3
5. 4

$ 2 ,500-$ 3,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,000-$3,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3 ,5 00-$ 4,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,0 00-$ 4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4 .7
2 .4
2 .5
.6
.7

5 .1
3 .1
1 .4
.7
.4

5 .0
2 .6
1 .8
1 .1
.6

6 .6
4 .9
1 .7
1 .2
.7

6 .4
4 .1
1 .8
1 .2
.7

$5 ,0 00-$ 7,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7,5 00-$ 10,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$10,000 a n d o v e r ------------------

1 .7
1 .5
2 .7

.8
.5
.2

1 .1
.4
.7

1 .5
.6
.4

1 .2
.5
.3

A l l l e v e ls _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 0 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

I n c o m e le v e l

P a c ific
r e g io n

I n c o m e le v e l

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i t t l e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
2 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s in c lu d e d in s a m p le , s ee c h a r t 10.
F o r d is c u s s io n o f
lim it a t io n s o f th e r e g io n a l c o m p a ris o n , s ee p p . 18, 22 -2 3 , 54 a n d 57.321

Ta bl e

1 7 B .—

P e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s o f r u r a l n o n f a r m f a m ilie s

N ew
E ngla n d
r eg ion

1

( n o n r e l i e f ) 2 i n j i v e g e o g r a p h i c r e g i o n s ,8 b y i n c o m e l e v e l , 1 9 3 5 - 8 6

N o rth
C e n tra l
r eg ion

O p er 
a to r s 4

T o ta l

S h a rec ro p 
p e rs 4

P a c ific
reg ion

U n d e r $250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 50 -$ l,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,000-$1,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 .2
5 .2
1 2 .6
17 .4
1 8 .5

2 .2
5 .5
1 1 .3
1 6 .1
1 5 .8

3 .4
2 0 .7
2 3 .8
1 7 .4
1 0 .7

1 .8
1 5 .4
2 1 .6
1 8 .4
1 2 .4

8 .5
3 7 .9
3 0 .4
1 3 .9
5 .3

1 3 .1
1 3 .9
1 5 .9
16. 2
1 2 .5

3 .3
6 .0
1 0 .8
1 3 .7
1 2 .0

$1,250-$1,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,500-$1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,00 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2,000-$2,250
$2,250-$2,500

1 0 .6
11 .6
7 .0
5. 0
4 .4

1 3 .5
1 0 .4
7 .4
4 .3
3 .9

7 .3
4 .7
2 .9
1 .9
1 .4

8 .9
5 .8
3 .7
2 .5
1 .8

2 .5
1 .0
.5

8 .2
5 .4
3 .8
3 .0
1 .9

1 0 .6
8 .6
7 .4
5. 6
3 .9

3. 5
1 .0
.4
.4
.1

4 .2
2 .2
1 .4
.5
.2

1 .9
1 .1
.7
.5
.3

2 .5
1 .5
.9
.6
.4

2 .0
1 .8
.7
.3
.2

4 .8
3 .1
2 .2
1 .3
.9

$5,000-$7,500 ............. __
$7,500-$10,000 _

.3
.8

.6
.4
.1

.6
.2
.5

.8
.3
.7

.8
.3

1 .7
2 .3
1 .8

A l l l e v e l s . .......... .

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

$2,500-$3,000_____
$3*000-$3’500
$3,500-$4,000
$4,000-$4,500
$4,500-$5,000

10 0 .0

1 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g o n fa r m s in r u r a l a rea s o n l y .
2 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
3 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s in c l u d e d i n s a m p le , s e e c h a rt 10. F o r d is cu s s io n
o f lim it a t io n s o f t h e r e g io n a l c o m p a ris o n , s e e p p . 18, 22 -2 3 , 54 a n d 57.
‘ F o r d e fin itio n s o f o p e r a to r a n d sh a r ec ro p p e r, s e e fo o tn o te 11, p . 4 3 .

Ta bl e

1 9 B .—

P e r c e n ta g e

d is tr ib u tio n s

o f w a g e -e a r n in g

fa m ilie s

1

{ n o n r e l i e f ) 2, i n j i v e g e o g r a p h i c r e g i o n s , 3 b y i n c o m e l e v e l , 1 9 8 5 —3 6

N ew
E n g la n d
r eg ion

N o r th
C e n tr a l
r eg io n

S o u th e r n
r eg ion

M oun
ta i n a n d
P la in s
r eg io n

U n d e r $250------------- --$2 50-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$ 750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 5 0 -$ l,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 ,0 0 0 -$ ! ,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

0 .7
2 .2
6 .1
1 3 .1
1 5 .3

2 .0
6 .8
1 2 .0
1 7 .7
1 7 .6

5 .0
1 3 .9
1 3 .1
1 1 .4
1 0 .4

1 .4
5 .2
1 2 .0
14. 1
1 2 .5

1 .8
4 .4
8 .1
1 2 .0
1 4 .4

U n d e r $250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$250-$500_________
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 50 -$ l,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,000-$1,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _

0 .6
3 .2
9 .4
1 8 .4
1 9 .9

$1 ,2 50-$ 1.500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 ,5 00-$ 1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 ,7 50-$ 2,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 ,0 00-$ 2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 ,2 50-$ 2,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

15; 2
1 1 .7
9 .4
7 .2
4 .3

1 2 .6
8 .8
5 .9
4 .5
2 .9

9 .3
8 .1
5 .5
5 .0
3 .5

1 3 .2
1 0 .7
8 .3
5 .5
4 .1

1 2 .7
12 .3
10 .1
7 .2
3 .9

$1,250-$1,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,500—$1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,00 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2,000-$2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2,250-$2,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _

$2 ,5 00-$ 3,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 3 ,000-$ 3,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 3 ,500-$ 4,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,0 00-$ 4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5 .2
3 .3
1 .1
1 .5
.6

3 .5
1 .6
.8
.5
.3

4 .8
2 .9
1 .9
1 .1
.9

5 .5
2 .4
1 .5
.8
.4

5 .7
1 .9
1 .2
.6
.5

$2,500-$3,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,000-$3,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,500-$4,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$4,000-$4,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 4 ,5 0 0 -$ 5 ,00 0______

$5 ,0 00-$ 7,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7,5 00-$ 10,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$10,000 a n d o v e r ------- -----------

1 .8
.5
.8

.8
.6
1 .1

2 .0
.7
.5

1 .0
.5
.9

1 .1
.7
1 .4

$5,000 a n d o v e r ____

.1

.3

.1

A l l le v e ls ____

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

A l l l e v e ls -------- -----------

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

1 0 0 .0

I n c o m e le v e l

M ou n
ta in
and
P la in s
r e g io n

P a c ific
r e g io n

1 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g i n c o m m u n i tie s w i t h p o p u la t io n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s
li v i n g i n th e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s .
2 E x c l u d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e l ie f (h o w e v e r l i t t l e ) a t a n y
ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
3 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s in c lu d e d in s a m p le , s ee c h a r t 10. F o r d is c u s s io n o f
lim i ta t io n s o f th e r eg ion a l c o m p a ris o n , s ee p p . 18, 22 -23, 54 a n d 57.

I n c o m e le v e l

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

M o u n ta in
a n d P la in s
r eg ion

1 .3
4 .3
9 .6
1 6 .5
1 7 .4

8 .4
1 8 .6
1 9 .4
1 5 .0
1 1 .4

1 .4
6 .0
1 3 .1
1 8 .1
1 6 .5

1 .2
3 .8
8 .4
1 3 .8
1 8 .7

1 6 .0
1 0 .6
8 .6
5 .1
3 .0

1 3 .7
1 0 .8
8 .3
5 .4
3 .8

7 .9
6 .3
4 .3
2 .7
1 .9

1 4 .8
1 0 .8
6 .6
4 .8
2 .6

1 4 .6
1 2 .5
1 0 .4
6 .3
3 .5

2 .7
1 .3
.7
.3
.1

4 .8
2 .1
1 .0
.5
.2

2 .2
.8
.7
.2
.1

3 .0
1 .6
.5
.1
.1

4 .4
1 .4
.4
.3
.1

10 0 .0

1 0 0 .0

N ew
E n g la n d
reg ion

N o rth
C e n tr a l
reg ion

«

P a c ific
r eg ion

.2

1 F a m ilie s a re c la s s ifie d a c co rd in g to o c c u p a tio n fr o m w h i c h la r g e st a m o u n t o f
fa m ily e a r n in g s w a s d e r iv e d , r a th e r th a n a c co rd in g to o c cu p a tio n o f th e p r in c ip a l
e a rn er. F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p p . 25 a n d 44.
2 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r ec e iv in g a n y d ire c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
3 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n it ie s in c lu d e d i n s a m p le , s e e c h a rt 10. F o r d i s c u s s io n o f
lim it a t io n s o f th e re g io n a l c o m p a r is o n , s ee p p . 18, 22 -23, 54 a n d 57.
* L e ss th a n 0.05 p e rc en t.

N a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s C o m m itte e

100

Ta bl e 20B.— P e r c e n t a g e

d is tr ib u tio n s o f w h ite a n d N e g r o f a r m
a n d r u r a l n o n f a r m f a m i l i e s 1 (n o n r e l i e f ) 2 i n t h e S o u t h , 3 b y
in c o m e lev e l, 1 9 8 5 - 3 6
F a r m fa m ilie s

P e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s o f w h ite 1 a n d N e g r o f a m ilie s

(n o n r e l i e f ) 2

i n N o r th
in c o m e le v e l, 1 9 8 5 - 3 6

R u r a l n o n fa r m
fa m ilie s 1

N egro

W h i te

Ta bl e 22B.—

S h a rec ro p 
T o ta l
p e rs 4

O p er
a to r s 4

O p er
a to r s 4

Sh arec ro p  W h it e
p e rs 4

N a tiv e
w h i te 1

1 .0
1 2 .5
2 1 .7
19.1
1 3 .3

0 .7
1 0 .2
19 .5
1 9 .0
14.1

2 .6
2 7 .0
3 4 .7
1 9 .4
8 .4

8 .5
3 8 .4
2 8 .5
13 .7
5 .1

5 .4
3 3 .0
2 9 .3
16 .5
6 .5

1 2 .4
4 5 .1
2 7 .6
10 .3
3 .2

0 .8
5 .0
1 1 .6
1 2 .9
1 2 .4

2 1 .6
4 8 .4
1 9 .3
5 .6
2 .7

$1,250-$1,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,500-$1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 ________
$2,000-$2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2'250-$2,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

9 .4
6. 1
3 .9
2. 6
2 .0

10.1
6 .8
4 .4
3 .1
2 .3

4 .8
2 .0
1 .1

3 .0
1 .5
.8
.3
.1

4 .7
2. 4
1 .3
.5
.2

.9
.4
.1

1 1 .5
10. 1
6 .9
6 .2
4 .4

.9
.3
.3
.1
.3

$2,500-$3,000________
$3 ,0 00-$ 3,500________
$3^ 5 0 0-$4’000________
$4,000-$4,500__......... .
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000________

2 .8
1 .6
1 .0
.7
.4

3 .2
1 .9
1 .1
.8
.5

.1
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)

.1
.1
(5)
(5)
(«)

.9

(5 )

(5 )

.3

1. 0
.4

.7

.9

$5,000-$7,500
$7,5 00-$ 10,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A l l l e v e ls — _ _ _

10 0 .0

0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

.9
.6

(5)

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

. 3

.1
.1
(5 )
(5 )

(5 )
0

10 0 .0

1 T h e r u ra l n o n fa r m g r ou p in c l u d e s fa m ilie s l i v i n g in c o m m u n it ie s w i t h p o p u l a t io n
u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s l iv i n g i n t h e o p e n c o u n t r y b u t n o t o n fa r m s .
2 E x c l u d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r litt le ) a t a n y
ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
3 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n it ie s in c lu d e d in s a m p le , s e e c h a rt 10. F o r d is c u s s io n o f
lim it a t io n s o f t h e s a m p le d a t a , s ee p p . 18, 54, a n d 57.
4 F o r d e fin it io n s o f o p e ra to r a n d sh a r ec ro p p e r, s e e fo o tn o te 11, p . 43.
6 L e s s th a n 0.05 p e r c e n t.

Ta bl e 21B.—

la r g e

c itie s 3 b y

L a r g e c itie s ,
100,000 to 1,500,000
p o p u la tio n

F o r e ig n born
w h i te 1

N e g ro

W h i te

N egro

U n d e r $ 2 5 0 -__ _ _ _ _
$2 50-$ 500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$750-$1,000
$1,000~$1,250-

1 .4
2 .0
3 .8
6 .0
9 .0

2 .0
3 .7
6 .3
1 0 .8
1 2 .7

2 .1
4 .5
1 2 .0
1 9 .7
1 9 .3

1. 5
2. 6
5. 4
9 .1
1 2 .2

21. 6

$1,250-$1,500___
$1 ,5 00-$ 1,750_ _ _ _ _ _
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 -$2 ,0 00-1 2,250_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$2 ,2 50-$ 2,500_ _ _ _ _ _

9 .3
1 0 .2
9 .8
8 .8
6 .5

1 2 .9
1 1 .5
9 .9
7 .0
5 .3

1 3 .5
9 .9
6 .6
4 .7
2 .9

1 1 .6
1 0 .9
9 .9
7 .4
5 .7

1 .9

$2,500-$3,00Q _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 3 ,000-$ 3,500____
$3,500—$4,000-$ 4 ,000-$ 4,500___
$4 ,5 00-$ 5,000____

9 .7
5 .6
3 .3
2 .1
1 .3

7 .5
3 .9
2 .6
1 .3
.5

2 .2
1 .5
.4
.2
.1

8 .0
4 .8
2 .8
1. 6
.9

w

$5 ,0 00-$ 7,500_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$7,5 00-$ 10,00 0_ _ _ _ _ _
$10,000 a n d o v e r ___

3 .1
2 .5
5 .6

1 .1
.5
.5

.2
.2

2 .0
1 .4
2 .2

«

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

A ll l e v e ls —

.

«

.3
-1

10 0 .0

i
F o r e x p la n a tio n o f n a t iv e w h i te a n d fo r e ig n -b o r n w h i te c la s s ific a tio n , s e e p 43
3 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e l ie f (h o w e v e r litt le ) a t a n y
ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
3 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n i tie s in c l u d e d in s a m p le , s ee c h a rt 10. F o r d is c u s s io n of
l im it a t io n s o f th e s a m p le d a ta , s ee p p . 18, 54, a n d 57.
4 L e s s th a n 0.05 p e r c e n t.

P e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s o f w h ite a n d N e g r o f a m ilie s

(n o n r e lie f)1 in
1 9 3 5 -3 6

I n c o m e le v e l

th r e e s iz e s o f c itie s

in

th e S o u t h ,2 b y in c o m e le v e l,

Ta bl e 23B.— P e r c e n t a g e

d is tr ib u tio n s

w o m e n ,1 b y i n c o m e le v e l,

L a r g e c itie s ,
100,000 p o p u la tio n
a n d o v er
W h i te

N egro

M id d le -s iz e d c ities ,
25,000 to 100,000
p o p u la tio n
W h it e

N egro

S m a ll c itie s ,
2,500 to 25,000
p o p u la tio n
W h it e

I n c o m e le v e l

N e g ro

U n d e r $250_______
$25 0 -$ 5 0 0_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$ 750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 5 0 -$ l,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 1 ,0 0 0 -$ 1 ,25 0______

1 .6
3 .5
7 .7
8 .8
9 .6

9 .6
2 4 .3
2 5 .0
1 8 .8
9 .4

2 .4
3 .9
7 .8
9 .7
9 .8

1 5 .5
3 1 .7
2 8 .3
1 2 .5
5 .7

1 .2
5 .6
1 2 .2
1 3 .7
1 4 .8

2 3 .6
3 7 .9
2 3 .8
7 .5
3 .4

$ 1 ,2 5 0 -$ 1 ,50 0______
$1 ,5 0 0 -$ 1 ,75 0______
$ l,7 5 0 -$ 2 ,0 0 0 ______
$2 ,0 0 0 -$ 2 ,25 0______
$ 2 ,2 5 0 -$ 2 ,50 0______

8 .7
9 .4
9 .1
7 .6
7 .5

5 .0
3 .5
1 .2
1 .1
.7

8 .7
9 .5
9 .7
7 .0
5 .6

2 .1
1 .6
.9
.6
.6

1 0 .7
8 .5
7 .2
5 .7
3 .7

1 .2
1 .1
.3
.3
.5

$ 2 ,5 0 0 -$ 3 ,00 0______
$ 3 ,0 0 0 -$ 3 ,50 0______
$ 3 ,5 0 0 -$ 4 ,00 0______
$4 ,0 0 0 -$ 4 ,50 0______
$ 4 ,5 0 0 -$ 5 ,00 0______

8 .6
5 .7
4 .5
2 .4
1 .7

.7
.3
.1
.2

7 .6
6 .0
3 .3
2 .2
1 .3

.3
.1
.1

.3
.1

0
0

6 .2
3 .3
2 .2
1 .4
.8

$5 ,0 0 0 -$ 7 ,50 0.... ........
$7 ,5 00-$ 10,00 0_____
$10,000 a n d o v e r ___

2 .6
.5
.5

.1

3 .5
.6
1 .4

0
0
0

L4
.5
.9

A ll le v e ls .

and

I n c o m e le v e l
N egro

U n d e r $250 __ _ ____
$250-$500_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$5 00-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 5 0-$ 1,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 ,000-$1,250.... .............

5 .9
3. 6
2. 3
1. 3
1 .1

m e tr o p o lis e s

M etr o p o lis e s ,
1,500,000 p o p u la tio n a n d o v er

I n c o m e le v e l
T o ta l

C e n tr a l

1 0 0 .0

0

(?)

«
10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0.0

(1
3)
2
(3)
0
(3)

10 0 .0

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i tt l e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 F o r lo c a tio n o f c o m m u n it ie s in c l u d e d i n s a m p l e , s e e c h a r t 10.
F o r d i s c u s s io n of
l im i ta t io n s o f t h e s a m p le d a t a , s e e p p . 18, 54, a n d 57.
3 L e s s th a n 0 .05 p e r c e n t.

of

s in g le

m en

and

s in g le

1 9 3 5 -8 6

S in g le m e n

U n d e r $ 2 5 0 . ___
$250-$500__________
$500-$750_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$ 7 50 -$ l,0 0 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1 ,0 00-$ 1,250_ _ _ _ _ _

9 .5

1 3 .6
1 5 .8
1 5 .4
1 2 .6

$1,250-$1,500_ _ _ _ _ _
$1,500-$1,750_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$1,750-$2,000_ _ _ _ _ _
$2,000-$2,250_____
$2,50O-$3,C00_ _ _ _ _ _ _
$3,000-$3,500________
$3,500-$4,000_ _ _ _ _ _
$4,000-$4,500_____
$4,500-$5,000_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

$100,000 a n d o v e r ..
A l l l e v e l s . __
1 I n c lu d e s b o t h r e lie f a n d n o n r e lie f s in g le in d iv id u a ls .
in d iv id u a ls , s e e p . 40.
2 L e s s th a n 0 .05 p e r c e n t.

1n i

1 0 .5
6 .5
4 .7
3 .3
2 .4

$ 2 ,2 5 0 -$ 2 ,5 0 0 ___

$5,000-17,500
$7 ,5 00-$10,000_____
$10,00&-$25,000
$25,000-$50,000
_
$50,000-$100,000

S in g le w o m e n

2 .0
1 .3
.7

!l

.1

0
0
10 0.0
F o r d e fin itio n o f s in g le
s

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

Ta bl e

101

2 4 B .—

N u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

1

in

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y

A l l r eg io n s

M e tr o p o lis e s , 1,500,000 p o p u la tio n a n d o v e r . .............. .......... ................. ............
L a r g e c itie s , 100,000 to 1,500,000 p o p u la t io n ................. ........................ .................
M id d le -s iz e d c iti e s , 25,000 to 100,000 p o p u la tio n ............................... ....................

F arm s_____________________

.

s i x t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y w i t h i n f i v e g e o g r a p h i c r e g i o n s , 1 9 3 5 —8 6

__________ _

____________

____

N e w E n g la n d
r eg ion

N o r th C e n tra l
S o u th er n r eg ion
r eg ion

2 ,8 0 6 ,9 1 6
4, 666, 708
2 ,60 7 , 589
4 ,07 9 , 741

48 2,634
36 6,018
36 2 ,11 7

2 ,8 0 6 ,9 1 6
2 ,07 3 , 631
1 ,39 3, 917
2 ,05 1 , 428

1,14 9 , 292
57 2.064
1,05 9 , 967

14,160, 954

1, 210, 769

8 ,32 5 , 892

4, 585, 665
6 ,16 6 , 558

25 4,805
146, 001

1 ,88 1 ,22 6
2 ,12 7 , 999

M o u n t a in a n d
P la in s re g io n

P a c ific r eg ion

180,397
9 7 ,3 8 0
281, 921

780, 754
178, 210
32 4,308

2, 781, 323

559, 698

1, 283, 272

1, 737, 561
3 ,0 9 7 ,1 8 3

406, 950
544, 290

3 0 5 ,12 3
25 1,085

10, 752, 223

400, 806

4 ,00 9 , 225

4 ,83 4 , 744

951, 240

556, 208

2 4 ,9 1 3 ,17 7

1, 611, 575

12, 335, 117

7, 616, 067

1, 51 0,938

1,839, 480

1 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r lit tl e ) a t a n y t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g in c o m m u n it ie s w i t h p o p u l a t io n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s liv i n g in th e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s.

Tabl e

2 5 B .—

P e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s ,

1

b y ty p e o f c o m m u n ity a n d r e g io n , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

P e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s b y t y p e o f c o m m u n it y

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y
A ll
r eg io n s

M etr o p o lis e s :

N ew
E n g la n d
r eg ion

N o rth
C e n tr a l
r eg ion

1 1 .3

Larsre c itie s :
100.000 to 1,500,000 p o p u l a t io n . _ _ _ _ _
M id d le -s iz e d cities 25 ,000 to 100,000 p o p u la tio n _ __________
S m a ll c ities :
2,50 0 to 25,000 p o p u l a t io n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _______
A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n i tie s 1
2_ .
F a r m s _______
_________________

...........
..
----

S o u th er n
r eg ion

M ou n
ta i n a n d
P la in s
r e g io n

P e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u t io n s b y reg ion

P a c ific
r e g io n

A ll
r eg ion s

2 2 .8

N ew
E n g la n d
r eg ion

N o rth
C e n tr a l
r eg ion

10 0.0

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

M oun
ta i n a n d
P la in s
r e g io n

P a c ific
r eg ion

10 0 .0

1 8 .7

2 9 .9

16. 8

1 5 .1

11 .9

4 2 .5

10 0.0

1 0 .3

44. 5

24. 6

3 .9

1 0 .4

2 2 .7

11 .3

7 .5

6 .4

9 .7

10 0.0

1 4 .1

5 3 .5

2 1 .9

3 .7

6 .8

1 6 .4

2 2 .5

1 6 .6

1 3 .9

1 8 .7

1 7 .6

10 0.0

8 .9

5 0 .3

2 6 .0

6 .9

7. 9

5 6 .8

7 5 .1

6 7 .5

3 6 .5

3 7 .0

6 9 .8

10 0 .0

8 .5

5 8 .8

1 9 .6

4 .0

9 .1

18 .4
2 4 .8

1 5 .8
9 .1

15 .3
1 7 .2

2 2 .8
4 0 .7

2 7 .0
3 6 .0

1 6 .6
1 3 .6

10 0.0
100.0

5 .6
2 .4

4 1 .0
3 4 .5

3 7 .9
5 0 .2

8 .9
8 .8

6 .6
4 .1

1 6 .7

A l l ru r a l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

43. 2

2 4 .9

3 2 .5

6 3 .5

6 3 .0

3 0 .2

10 0.0

3 .7

3 7 .3

4 5 .0

8 .8

5 2

A l l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

100. 0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

6 .5

4 9 .5

3 0 .5

6 .1

7 .4

1 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r li t t l e ) a t a n y t i m e d u r in g y e a r .
F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l i v i n g i n c o m m u n it ie s w i t h p o p u l a t io n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s l iv i n g i n th e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s.

Ta bl e

2 6 B .—

N u m b e r o f r e lie f f a m ilie s

1 in

s i x t y p e s o f c o m m u n ity w ith in f iv e g e o g r a p h ic r e g io n s , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

N ew E ng
la n d r eg ion

N o r th C e n 
tr a l r eg ion

912, 622

9 2 ,1 99

462, 027

A l l r e g io n s

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y

M e tr o p o lis e s :

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

M o u n t a in
a n d P la in s
r e g io n

P a c ific
r e g io n

48 8,184

488, 184

L a r g e c itie s:
100,000 to 1,500,000 p o p u l a t i o n . .........
. . . ---- -- . . . ----------------------------- _
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
2 5 ,0 0 0 to 100,000 p o p u l a t io n ---- ------ ------------------- ---------------- ------------------------S m a ll c ities :
2,500 to 25,000 p o p u la tio n ---- _
----------- ------- ----------------------------------------------

20 5,461

36 ,895

116,040-

58 2,841

9 5 ,1 83

300, 706

105,579

31, 359

50, 014

8 0 8 ,48 2

7 7 ,4 7 6

45 5,847

150,797

87, 656

36, 706

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s --------------------------- -- ------------- ------ -------------------------

2, 792, 129

264, 858

1, 706, 764

46 1,837

155, 910

202, 760

1, 094, 305
600, 646

67, 203
8 ,23 6

497, 062
62, 762

34 4.952
389, 006

106, 746
118, 297

78, 342
22, 345

R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n i tie s 2---- --------------------------------------------------- ------- -------A l l ru ra l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
A l l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

.

_

_

------- --------- ------ ----------------------- - -

-------------------- ------- --------------- ------ -----------

-

1, 694, 951

75, 439

55 9,824

733, 958

225, 043

100,687

4, 487, 080

340, 297

2, 266, 588

1,195, 795

380, 953

303, 44 7

1 I n c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i t t l e ) a t a n y t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g in c o m m u n it ie s w i t h p o p u l a t io n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s l i v i n g i n t h e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s.

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

102

Ta bl e

2 7 B .— P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f r e l i e f f a m i l i e s , 1 b y t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y a n d r e g i o n , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6
P e r c e n ta g e d is tr ib u tio n s b y ty p e o f c o m m u n it y

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y

N ew
E n g la n d
r eg ion

A ll
r eg ion s

M e tr o p o lis e s :

N o rth
C e n tr a l
r eg ion

1 0 .9

L a rg e c ities :
100,000 to 1,500,000 p o p u l a t io n ...................... . .
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
25,000 to 100,000 p o p u l a t io n ---------------------S m a ll c ities :
2,500 to 25,000 p o p u l a t io n ......................... ........

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

M ou n
ta i n a n d
P la in s
r e g io n

P e r c e n ta g e d is t r ib u tio n s b y r eg ion

P a cific
r eg ion

A ll
r eg io n s

2 1 .5

N ew
E n g la n d
r eg ion

N o rth
C e n tra l
r e g io n

10 0.0

S o u th e r n
r e g io n

M ou n
ta i n a n d
P la in s
r e g io n

P a c ific
r e g io n

10 0.0

2 0 .3

2 7 .1

2 0 .4

1 7 .2

9 .7

3 8 .2

10 0.0

10 .1

5 0 .7

2 2 .5

4 .0

1 2 .7

1 3 .0

2 7 .9

1 3 .3

8 .8

8 .2

16 .5

10 0.0

1 6 .3

5 1 .6

1 8 .1

5 .4

8 .6

1 8 .0

2 2 .8

2 0 .1

1 2 .6

2 3 .0

12.1

10 0.0

9 .6

5 6 .4

1 8 .7

1 0 .8

4 .5

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

6 2 .2

7 7 .8

7 5 .3

3 8 .6

4 0 .9

6 6 .8

10 0 .0

9 .5

6 1 .1

1 6 .5

5 .6

7 .3

R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n i tie s 1
2_ _ ------- -----------F a rm s_______________ ___________________

2 4 .4
1 3 .4

19 .8
2 .4

2 1 .9
2 .8

2 8 .9
3 2 .5

2 8 .0
3 1 .1

2 5 .8
7 .4

10 0 .0
10 0 .0

6 .1
1 .4

4 5 .4
1 0 .4

3 1 .5
6 4 .8

9 .8
1 9 .7

7 .2
3 .7

A l l ru ra l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3 7 .8

2 2 .2

2 4 .7

6 1 .4

5 9 .1

3 3 .2

10 0 .0

4 .5

3 3 .0

4 3 .3

13 .3

5 .9

A l l c o m m u n it ie s ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10 0.0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0.0

7 .6

5 0 .5

2 6 .6

8 .5

6 .8

1 I n c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r lit tl e ) a t a n y ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
2 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g in c o m m u n it ie s w i th p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s l iv i n g in th e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s .

Ta bl e

2 8 B .—

N u m ber an d

p e rc e n t o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

c o lo r g r o u p s i n f iv e t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y i n

th e S o u t h

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d c olo r g r o u p

F a r m fa m ilie s:
W h ite :

T o ta l ------ ------ . . . ------- - --------------- -------------N egro:

O th e r c o l o r : 3

R u r a l n o n fa r m fa m ilie s :4

S m a ll c i t y fa m ilie s (2,50 0 to 25,000 p o p u la t io n ):
W h it e ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

,

N u m b er of
fa m ilie s

L a r g e c i t y fa m ilie s (100,000 p o p u la tio n a n d o v e r ):
W h it e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

i n th r e e

Ta bl e

2 9 B .—

g ro u p s in

P er c e n t

N u m b e r a n d p e r c e n t o f n o n r e l i e f f a m i l i e s 1 i n th r e e c o lo r

N o r th

C e n tr a l la r g e c itie s a n d m e tr o p o lis e s , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6

N um ber of
fa m ilie s

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d co lo r g r o u p

L a rg e c i t y fa m ilie s (100,000 to 1,500,000 p o p u la t io n ):
W h it e _________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
1 ,82 2, 567
290, 520

5 8 .9
9 .4

2 ,11 3 ,08 7

6 8 .3
M e tr o p o lis fa m ilie s (1,500,000 p o p u la tio n a n d o v e r ) :
W h ite :

P ercen t

2 ,0 0 9 ,1 4 7
63 ,331
1,153

9 6 .8
3 .1
.1

2 ,07 3 ,63 1

10 0.0

1,53 5, 523
1,160, 554

5 4 .7
41 .4

511, 092
41 6,101

1 6 .5
1 3 .4

92 7,193

2 9 .9

2, 69 6,077

9 6 .1

31, 366
25, 537

1 .0
.8

107,145
3, 694

3 .8
.1

2 ,8 0 6 ,9 1 6

10 0.0

5 6 ,9 03

1 .8

3 ,0 9 7 ,1 8 3

10 0.0

1, 381, 256
331, 561
24, 744

7 9 .5
19.1
1 .4

1,737, 561

100.0

838, 111
202, 048
19,808

7 9 .1
1 9 .0
1 .9

1 ,05 9 ,96 7
M id d le -s iz e d c i t y fa m ilie s (25,000 to 100,000 p o p u la t io n ):
W h it e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1

1 9 8 5 —3 6

10 0.0

42 1,900
141,480
8, 684

7 3 .8
2 4 .7
1 .5

57 2,064

10 0.0

915, 902
207, 562
25, 828

7 9 .7
18.1
2 .2

1,149, 292

10 0.0

1 E x c lu d e s a l l fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 F o r d e fin itio n s o f o p e ra to r a n d sh a r ec ro p p e r, se e fo o t n o t e 11, p . 43.
3 F o r d e fin itio n o f o th er c o lo r , s e e p . 43.
4 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g i n c o m m u n i tie s w i t h p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s
l iv i n g in th e o p e n c o u n t r y b u t n o t o n fa r m s.
1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y
t i m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
2 M e tr o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e a re in N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n o n l y ( N e w Y o r k , C h ica g o ,
P h ila d e lp h ia , a n d D e tr o it) .
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g in c o m m u n it ie s w i th p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s
l i v i n g in th e o p e n c o u n t r y b u t n o t o n fa r m s .

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l i tt l e ) a t a n y
tim e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 F o r d e fin itio n o f o th e r c o lo r, s ee p . 43.
3 F o r e x p la n a tio n o f n a t iv e w h i te a n d fo r e ig n -b o jn w h i te c la ss ific a tio n , s ee p . 43.

Tabl e

3 0 B .—

N u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f f a m ilie s

1

o f fo u r

s iz e s

in

s ix

ty p e s o f c o m m u n ity a n d i n fiv e g e o g r a p h ic r e g io n s , 1 9 3 5 - 8 6

F a m ilie s o f—
T y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d r eg ion

M e t r o p o li s e s :2
1,500,000 p o p u la tio n a n d o v er .
L a r g e c ities :
100,000 to 1,500,000 p o p u la 
t i o n ______ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
25,000 to 100,000 p o p u la t io n ..
S m a ll c ities :
2,500 to 25,000 p o p u l a t io n _ _ _

A ll
fa m ilie s

2 p e rs o n s

3 -4 p e r 
son s

5 -6 p e r 
son s

7 and
o v er
p e rs o n s

2, 806, 916

755,440

1 ,39 3 ,14 4

502,941

155,391

4, 666, 708

1, 571, 508

2 ,13 3 ,19 9

726, 990

235, O il

2,60 7 , 589

77 0,224

1, 21 7,842

45 9,145

160,378

4 ,07 9 ,74 1

1 ,14 9 ,98 6

1 ,90 2 ,44 0

744,561

282,754

14,1 60,95 4

4, 247,158

6 ,64 6 , 625 2,43 3, 637

833, 534

4, 585, 665
6,16 6 , 558

1, 287, 576
1 ,13 4 ,11 6

82 2,806
291, 726
2,18 3, 557
2 ,34 0 ,18 3 1, 547,936 1,144, 323

A ll r u r a l c o m m u n it ie s ........ 10, 752, 223

2, 421, 692

4,52 3 , 740 2, 370, 742 1, 436,049

A l l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 24, 91 3,177

6 ,6 6 8 ,8 5 0 11,170, 365 4 ,80 4 ,37 9 2, 269, 583

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s __
R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n i tie s 3 ___
F arm s____________ _____ _____

N e w E n g la n d ........... ..................... 1 ,61 1 ,57 5
457, 287
N o r th C e n tra l_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 12, 33 5,117 3 ,58 3 , 435
S o u th .
_ _ _ ................ ............ 7, 61 6,067 1, 578, 229
M o u n t a in a n d P l a i n s .......... ........ 1, 510, 938
398, 653
P a c i fi c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1,839, 480
651, 246
A l l r e g io n s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
N o t e s i n o p p o s it e c o lu m n .

2 4 ,91 3 ,17 7

726, 563
30 6,486
121,239
817, 670
5, 710, 579 2, 223,433
3 ,1 3 9 ,8 5 7 1, 730, 321 1,167, 660
305, 340
690, 022
116,923
903, 344
238, 799
4 6 ,0 91

6, 66 8,850 11,170, 365 4,80 4, 379 2, 269,583

C o n su m e r In c o m e s

Ta bl e

103

3 1 B .— P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n r e l i e f f a m i l i e s 1 o f f o u r s i z e s , b y t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y a n d r e g i o n , 1 9 3 5 - 3 6
P e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u t io n s b y s iz e o f fa m ily

P e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s b y t y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d r eg ion

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d re g io n
A l l fa m ilie s

M e t r o p o lis e s :1
2
1,500,000 p o p u l a t io n a n d o v e r . _ ...... ............. .
L a rg e c itie s:
100,000 to 1,500,000 p o p u la t io n ___
____ ____
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
25 ,000 to 100,000 p o p u l a t i o n . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S m a ll c ities :
2,500 to 25 ,000 p o p u l a t i o n . ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2 person s

3 -4 p e r s o n s 5 -6 p e r s o n s

7 a n d o v er
p e rs o n s

A ll fa m ilie s

2 p e rs o n s

3 -4 p e rs o n s

5 -6 p e rs on s

7 a n d o v er
p e rs on s

10 0 .0

2 6 .9

4 9 .7

1 7 .9

5 .5

1 1 .3

1 1 .3

1 2 .5

1 0 .5

6 .8

10 0 .0

3 3 .7

4 5 .7

1 5 .6

5 .0

1 8 .7

2 3 .6

1 9 .1

15 .1

1 0 .4

10 0.0

2 9 .5

4 6 .7

1 7 .6

6 .2

1 0 .4

1 1 .5

1 0 .9

9 .6

7 .1

10 0 .0

2 8 .2

4 6 .6

1 8 .3

6 .9

1 6 .4

1 7 .3

1 7 .0

1 5 .5

1 2 .4

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s __________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10 0 .0

3 0 .0

4 6 .9

1 7 .2

5 .9

5 6 .8

6 3 .7

5 9 .5

5 0 .7

3 6 .7

R u r a l n o n fa r m c o m m u n itie s 3._ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F arm s—
. _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10 0 .0
10 0 .0

2 8 .1
18 .4

4 7 .6
3 7 .9

1 7 .9
2 5 .1

6 .4
1 8 .6

1 8 .4
2 4 .8

1 9 .3
1 7 .0

1 9 .6
2 0 .9

1 7 .1
3 2 .2

1 2 .9
5 0 .4

A l l ru r a l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______

10 0 .0

2 2 .5

4 2 .1

2 2 .0

1 3 .4

4 3 .2

3 6 .3

4 0 .5

4 9 .3

6 3 .3

A l l c o m m u n it ie s .............. ................... . ............

10 0 .0

2 6 .8

4 4 .8

1 9 .3

9 .1

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

N e w E n g la n d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____
N o r t h C e n tr a l__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
______
S o u th _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M o u n t a in a n d P la i n s -----------------------------------P a c i fi c _______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10 0 .0
10 0.0
10 0.0
100.0
10 0.0

2 8 .4
2 9 .1
2 0 .7
2 6 .4
3 5 .4

4 5 .1
4 6 .3
4 1 .3
4 5 .7
49 .1

1 9 .0
1 8 .0
2 2 .7
2 0 .2
1 3 .0

7 .5
6 .6
15 .3
7 .7
2 .5

6 .5
4 9 .5
3 0 .5
6 .1
7 .4

6 .8
5 3 .7
2 3 .7
6 .0
9 .8

6 .5
51.1
2 8 .1
6 .2
8 .1

6 .4
4 6 .3
3 6 .0
6 .3
5 .0

5 .3
3 6 .0
5 1 .5
5 .2
2 .0

A l l r e g io n s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10 0.0

2 6 .8

4 4 .8

1 9 .3

9 .1

10 0 .0

10 0 .0

10 0.0

10 0.0

10 0 .0

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ire c t o r w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p . 42.
2 M e tr o p o lis e s o f t h i s s iz e are i n N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n o n l y ( N e w Y o r k , C h ic a g o , P h il a d e lp h ia , a n d D e tr o it ).
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g in c o m m u n i tie s w i t h p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500, a n d fa m ilie s li v i n g i n th e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s.

Ta bl e

3 2 B .—

N u m b e r o f n o n r e lie f f a m i l i e s

1 in

e i g h t o c c u p a t i o n a l g r o u p s 2 i n j i v e t y p e s o f c o m m u n i t y a n d i n j i v e g e o g r a p h i c r e g i o n s , 1 9 3 5 —8 6

B u s in e s s g r o u p
T y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d r e g io n

A l l fa m ilie s

W a g e -e a rn 
in g g r o u p

F a r m in g
g rou p 3

S a lar ie d

M e t r o p o lis e s : 5

P ro fe s s io n a l g r o u p

C ler ic a l
g r ou p
In d ep en d en t

S a lar ie d

In d ep en d en t

O th e r o c c u 
p a tio n a l
g rou p s 4

2 ,8 0 6 ,9 1 6

1 ,36 8 ,44 1

731,758

104,884

29 7,006

143,621

4 9 ,5 19

4, 66 6,708

2 ,1 5 5 ,1 4 3

1 ,11 4 ,56 9

30 9,732

569,817

26 4,565

8 4 ,0 45

168,837

2, 60 7,589

1 ,40 9 ,57 5

483,714

151,410

292,099

125,686

37,846

107,259

L a r g e c itie s :
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :

111, 687

S m a ll ’c ities :
2,50 0 to 25 ,000 p o p u l a t io n ....... ................. .

4,07 9 , 741

2, 30 5,805

657, 543

219,171

488, 503

182,392

55, 224

171,103

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 4 ,16 0 ,95 4

7 ,2 3 8 ,9 6 4

2 ,98 7 , 584

78 5,197

1, 647, 425

716, 264

22 6,634

55 8,886

10, 752, 223

2 ,2 2 0 ,3 1 3

6 ,1 6 6 ,5 5 8

638, 641

327, 417

725, 222

272,961

114, 299

28 6,812

A l l c o m m u n it ie s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2 4 ,9 1 3 ,17 7

9 ,45 9 , 277

6 ,1 6 6 ,5 5 8

3,62 6, 225

1 ,11 2, 614

2, 372, 647

989, 225

34 0,933

84 5 ,69 8

N e w E n g la n d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
N o r th C e n tr a l__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
.
S o u th . . _ ____________________________
M o u n t a in a n d P la i n s _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P a c ific ................. .......................... ................. __

1 ,6 1 1 ,5 7 5
1 2 ,3 3 5 ,11 7
7 ,61 6 , 067
1 ,5 1 0 ,9 3 8
1 ,83 9, 480

857,401
5, 29 4,084
2 ,1 9 8 ,4 3 5
37 1,412
73 7,945

146,001
2 ,12 7 , 999
3 ,09 7 ,18 3
544, 290
251, 085

234, 036
2,01 6, 594
862, 209
197, 385
316.001

8 0 ,4 2 2
48 5,127
359, 090
91 ,816
96 ,159

158,065
1, 228, 807
599, 302
161, 331
22 5,142

6 0 ,9 7 8
531,105
23 6,145
67, 559
93, 438

18,472
174,015
90, 418
25, 641
32, 387

56,
477,
173,
51,
87,

A l l r e g io n s ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2 4 ,9 1 3 ,17 7

9,45 9 , 277

6 ,16 6 , 558

3, 626,225

1 ,11 2, 614

2, 372, 647

989, 225

34 0,933

845, 698

R u r a l c o m m u n i tie s 6_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

200
386
285
504
323

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r l it tl e ) a t a n y tim e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.
2 F a m i lie s a re c la s s ifie d a c co rd in g to o c c u p a tio n fr o m w h i c h la r g es t a m o u n t o f fa m ily e a r n in g s w a s d e r iv e d , r a th e r th a n a c co rd in g to o c c u p a tio n o f th e p r in c ip a l e a r n e r. F o r
fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s ee p p . 25 a n d 44.
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l iv i n g o n fa r m s in r u ra l a rea s o n l y .
4 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s w i t h n o in c o m e fro m e a r n in g s d u r in g t h e y e a r , a n d v illa g e a n d c i t y fa m ilie s w i th m a jo r e a rn in g s fr o m fa r m in g .
6 M etr o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e a re in N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n o n l y (N e w Y o r k , C h ic a g o , P h il a d e lp h ia , a n d D e t r o it ) .
6 I n c lu d e s , in a d d iti o n to th e 6,166,558 fa m ilie s li v i n g o n far m s , 4,585,665 fa m ilie s l iv i n g in th e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s , or in c o m m u n it ie s w i t h p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500.
T h e la tt e r g ro u p i n c l u d e s 137,624 v illa g e fa m ilie s d e r iv in g th e la r g es t a m o u n t o f fa m ily e a r n in g s fr cm fa r m in g ; th e s e are c la s sifie d a s “ o th er o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s .”

104

N a tio n a l R e so u rc e s C o m m itte e

Ta bl e

3 3 B . — P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f n o n r e l i e f f a m i l i e s 1 i n e i g h t o c c u p a t i o n a l g r o u p s ,2 b y t y p e o f c o m m u n i t y a n d r e g i o n , 1 9 8 5 - 8 6
P e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u t io n s b y o c c u p a tio n a l g r ou p

T y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d r eg ion

M e tr o p o lis e s : 5
1.500.000 p o p u la t io n a n d o v e r __
L a rg e c itie s :
100.000 to 1,500,000 p o p u l a t io n . __
M id d le -s iz e d c ities :
25 .000 to 100,000 p o p u l a t io n -----S m a ll c itie s:
2,500 to 25,000 p o p u l a t io n _ _ _ _ _ _

A ll
fa m i
lie s

W ageF a r m  C ler i
e ar n 
in g
c al
in g
g r o u p 3 group
group

B u s in e s s
group

S a la 
rie d

P r o fe s sio n a l
group
In d e 
pend
ent

P e r c e n ta g e d i s tr ib u ti o n s b y t y p e o f c o m m u n it y a n d reg ion

O th e r
A ll
o c cu p a 
fa m i
tio n a l
lie s
g rou p s ‘

W ageF a r m  C ler i
earn
in g
c al
in g
g r o u p 3 group
g r ou p

B u s in e s s
group

P r o fe s sio n a l
g r ou p

O th e r
o c cu p a 
tio n a l
groups 4

Ind e
pend
en t

S a la 
r ied

1 0 .6

5 .1

1 1 .3

14 .5

2 0 .2

9 .4

1 2 .5

1 4 .5

1 4 .5

1 3 .2

5 .7

1.8
1.8

4 .0

12.2

3 .6

18 .7

2 2 .8

3 0 .8

2 7 .9

2 4 .0

2 6 .8

2 4 .7

20.0

In d e
pend
ent

S a la 
r ied

S a la
r ied

In d e
pend
en t

1 0 0 .0

4 8 .7

2 6 .1

1 0 0 .0

4 6 .2

2 3 .9

1 0 0 .0

5 4 .1

1 8 .6

5 .8

11.2

4 .8

1 .4

4 .1

1 0 .4

1 4 .9

1 3 .3

1 3 .6

1 2 .3

1 2 .7

11.1

12 .7

1 0 0 .0

5 6 .4

1 6 .1

5 .4

12.0

4 .5

1 .4

4 .2

1 6 .4

2 4 .3

18.1

1 9 .7

2 0 .6

1 8 .4

1 6 .2

2 0 .2

A l l u r b a n c o m m u n it ie s ---------

100.0

5 1 .2

21.1

3 .9

5 6 .8

7 6 .5

8 2 .4

7 0 .6

6 9 .4

7 2 .4

6 6 .5

66 . 1

R u r a l c o m m u n it ie s 6--------------------

1 0 0 .0

2 0 .7

43. 2

2 3 .5

3 .4

100.0

100.0

1 0 0 .0

100.0

1 0 0 .0

1 0 0 .0

100.0

1 0 0 .0

100.0

3 .5
3 .9
2 .3
3 .4
4 .7

6 .5
4 9 .5
3 0 .5

2 .4
3 4 .5
5 0 .2

6 .5
5 5 .6
2 3 .8
5 .4
8 .7

7 .2
4 3 .6
3 2 .3
8 .3

8.6

6 .7
5 1 .8
2 5 .2
6. 8
9 .5

6. 2
5 3 .7
2 3 .9

7 .4

9 .1
5 6 .0
2 3 .2
3 .9
7 .8

9 .4

5 .4
5 1 .1
2 6 .5
7 .5
9 .5

5 6 .5
2 0 .5
6.1
1 0 .3

3 .4

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1 0 0 .0

100.0

100.0

100.0

3 .7

11.6
2 .5

3 .0

1 0 0 .0

3 7 .9

2 4 .8

1 4 .5

4 .5

N e w E n g la n d ----------N o r t h C e n tr a l---------S o u th _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M o u n t a in a n d P la i n s .
P a c ific ........ ................. -

100.0

9 .1
1 7 .3
4 0 .6
3 6 .0
1 3 .7

1 4 .5
1 6 .3
1 1 .3
1 3 .1
1 7 .2

5 .0
3 .9
4 .7

1 0 0 .0

5 3 .2
4 2 .9
2 8 .9
2 4 .5
4 0 .1

5 .2

7 .9
1 0 .7
12. 2

A l l r e g io n s .

100.0

3 7 .9

2 4 .8

1 4 .5

4 .5

9 .5

A l l c o m m u n it ie s .......................

1 0 0 .0

100.0

100.0

9 .5
1 0 .0

6.1

4 .0
3 .8
4 .3
3 .1
4. 5
5 .1

1.1
1 .4
1.2
1 .7
1.8

6.1

2 9 .4

3 3 .5

6 .8

6.6

1 E x c lu d e s a ll fa m ilie s r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r e lie f (h o w e v e r lit tl e ) a t a n y ti m e d u r in g y e a r . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n s e e p . 4 2 .
2 F a m i lie s a r e c la ss ifie d a c c o r d in g t o o c c u p a tio n fr o m w h ic h la r g es t a m o u n t o f fa m ily e ar n in g s w a s d e r iv e d r a th e r, th a n a c c o r d in g to o c cu p a tio n o f th e p r in c ip a l e a r n e r.
F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n s e e , p p . 25 a n d 44.
3 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s l i v i n g o n fa r m s in r u r a l a rea s o n l y .
4 I n c lu d e s fa m ilie s w i t h n o in c o m e fr o m e a r n in g s d u r in g th e y e a r , a n d v illa g e a n d c i t y fa m ilie s w i t h m a jo r e a r n in g s fr o m fa r m in g .
5 M e t r o p o lis e s o f th i s s iz e a re i n N o r th C e n tr a l R e g io n o n l y (N e w Y o r k , C h ic a g o , P h il a d e lp h ia , a n d D e tr o it) .
6 I n c lu d e s , i n a d d iti o n t o th e 6,166,558 fa m ilie s l i v i n g o n fa r m s , 4,585,665 fa m ilie s l iv i n g in th e o p e n c o u n tr y b u t n o t o n fa r m s , or in c o m m u n i tie s w i th p o p u la tio n u n d e r 2,500.
T h e la tte r g r o u p in c lu d e s 137,624 v illa g e fa m ilie s d e r iv in g th e la r g es t a m o u n t o f fa m ily e a r n in g s fr o m fa r m in g ; th e s e a re c la s sifie d a s “ o th e r o c c u p a tio n a l g r o u p s .”

Ta bl e

3 4 B .—

N u m b e r a n d p e rc e n t o f s in g le in d iv id u a ls f
s ta tu s

2

R e lie f s ta tu s a n d sex

N o t r e c e iv in g r e l ie f : 123456

T o t a l . - ______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R e c e iv i n g s o m e r e l ie f : 2

A l l s in g le in d iv id u a ls :

Tabl e

3 5 B .— N u m b e r o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s i d e n t s i n n i n e t y p e s
o f in s titu tio n a l g r o u p i n jiv e g e o g r a p h ic r e g io n s , 1 9 3 5 - 8 6

b y r e lie f

a n d sexy 1 9 8 5 -8 6

N u m ber

P ercen t

5 ,5 0 9 ,2 6 2
3 ,06 3 , 201

6 4 .3
3 5 .7

8, 572,463

10 0.0

1,02 8 ,46 1
457, 111

6 9 .2
3 0 .8

1 ,48 5, 572

10 0.0

6 ,5 3 7 ,7 2 3
3, 52 0,312

6 5 .0
3 5 .0

10,058, 035

10 0.0

T y p e o f in s titu tio n a l g r o u p

I n s ti tu ti o n s for—
M e n t a l d e fe c tiv e s _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P h y s ic a l d e f e c t i v e s ____
P ris o n e rs a n d d e lin q u e n t
a d u lt s . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
D e p e n d e n t a n d d e lin 
q u e n t c h ild r e n _______
D e p e n d e n t a d u lt s .............
T o ta l ......... ........ ........ .
Q u a s i-in s titu tio n a l g ro u p s:
C i v i l i a n C o n se r v a tio n
C o r p s _____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
L abor c a m p s___________
M ilit a r y a n d n a v a l p o s t s . .
C r ew s o n v e s s e l s 1.............
T o t a l . . . ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 F o r d e fin itio n o f s in g le in d i v id u a ls , s e e p . 40.
2 T h e r e lie f g r o u p in c lu d e s a ll s in g le in d iv id u a ls r e c e iv in g a n y d ir e c t or w o r k r elie f
(h o w e v e r litt le ) a t a n y ti m e d u r in g y e a r . T h e n o n re lie f g r ou p in c lu d e s a ll o th er
s in g le i n d iv id u a ls . F o r fu r th e r e x p la n a tio n , s e e p . 42.

A ll re
g io n s

N ew
E n g
la n d
r eg ion

N o rth
C en
tr a l
r e g io n

S o u th 
ern
r e g io n

M ou n
ta in
and
P la in s
reg ion

563.000
101.000

52 .000
10 .000

31 4,000
5 6 .0 00

124,000
2 2 ,0 00

3 2 .0 00
6 ,00 0

4 1 .0 0 0
7 .00 0

20 7.000

10,000

9 3 .0 00

71 .000

16.000

1 7 .0 00

160. 000
169.000

10,000
17,000

94, 000
100, 000

40, 000
27 .000

8 ,00 0
10,000

8 .00 0
15.000

1 ,20 0 ,00 0

9 9 ,0 00

65 7,000

284. 000

72,000

8 8 .0 0 0

41 2.000
103.000
213, 000
7 2 ,0 00

2 5 .0 00
2,0 0 0
11 .000
8 ,00 0

139,
22,
50,
30,

145, 000
33, 000
98, 000
16 ,000

6 7 .0 00
14.000
2 5 .0 00

3 6 .0 0 0
32 .000
29 .000
18.000

800, 000

4 6 .0 0 0

241,000

292,000

106, 000

115.000

A ll in s titu tio n a l g r o u p s . 2, 000, 000

145,000

898, 000

576, 000

178,000

203, 000

1 C la s s ified b y r e g io n a c co rd in g to p o r t o f c a ll.

O

000
000
000
000

P a c ific
r e g io n
Full text of Consumer Incomes in the United States, Their Distribution in 1935-36

FRASER
