1920s--Facts and Figures

1. In 1920, there are 9 million private autos, one for every 12 people; in 1929, 26.5 million, 1 for every 4.6 people.

2. In the 1920s, US farmers have about 139,000 trucks and 246,000 tractors; in 1930, 900,000 trucks, 920,000 tractors.

3. Value of radios, radio equipment produced: 1921=$12.9 million; 1929=$388 million.

4. In the Twenties, horsepower per worker increases by 50% in manufacturing; 60% in mining; 75% in transport.

5. Output per worker increases by 72%, 1919-1929.

6. Gainful employment:

no. employed in mining drops by 80,000

no. employed in agriculture drops 1 million

no. employed in manufacturing grows by 100,000

no. employed in construction grows by 800,000

no. employed in trade, finance, education, govt. grows by 3.8 million

no. of females gainfully employed grows by 27.4%


7. Population trends:

Immigration from abroad (not inc. W. Hemisphere):

1910-1914: 1.034 million per year

1925-29: 304,000

Between 1915 and 1928, 1.2 million African Americans leave the South for the North and West.

8. Average hourly wages in manufacturing 66.2 cts. per hour in 1923 to 71 cts. in 1928. Real hourly wages increase by 7%; real weekly wages by 2% (work week down 15% [59 to 50 hours], 1900-1926).
9. In 1929, 21% of all families make less than $1000 per year; 42 less than $1500; 71% less than $2500. 21.5 million families have no savings; 24,000 families have 34% of all savings.

10. Strikes

Year No. No of Workers % of employed wage earners on strike

1919 3630 4,160,000 20.8

1922 1112 1,610,000 8.7

1929 921 289,000 1.2

1925 1301 428,000 2.0

11. Union membership: 1920=5,034,000; 1929=3,625,000

12. Unemployment: Ranges between 5.2% and 7.7%, 1925-29.

13. Education: 1890-1924 number of college students increases 352% (cf. 79% general population increase); between 1900 and 1930, increase is 500% (cf. 69% population growth). Graduate students: 1900=5832; 1930=47,255. Between 1900 and 1930, an eightfold increase in high school enrollment. Number of teachers and professors grows 1920-1930 by 41.5% (cf. population growth of 16%).

14. Life expectancy. For white females, at birth: 1910=52.54; 1930=62.67.