-3 U UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Bureau of Agricultural Economics FARM POPULATION ASSOCIATED WITH SIZE OF FARMS WITH VALUE OF FARM LAND AND BUILDINGS WITH MORTGAGED OWNER-OPERATED FARMS WITH LOCATION OF FARMS ON KIND OF ROADS Based on the 1925 Census of Agriculture Washington, D. C. December, 1930 ■--•■'•■ FUH MAPS Fig. 1 Farm Population by States, 1925. Fig. 2. Average Size of Farms by Counties, 1925 Fig. 3. Average Value per Acre of Farm Land by Counties. 1925. Fig. 4. Average Value per Acre of Farm Buildings by Counties, 1925. Fig. 5. Average Value per Acre of Farm Land and Buildings by Counties, 1925. Fig. 6. Average Value per Farm of Farm Land and Buildings by Counties, 1925. Fig. 7. Value of Farm Land and Buildings per Capita of Farm Population by Counties, 1925. Fig. 8. Average Value per Farm of All Farm Property by Counties, 1925. Fig. 9. Value of All Farm Property per Capita of Farm Population by Counties, 1925. Fig. 10. Mortgaged Owncr-Oper r .irms by Counties. 1925. Fig. 11. Farms Located on Unimproved and Improved Roads by Counties, 1925. v rras Located on Concrete. Brick, or Macadam Roads by Counties, 1925. FARM POPULATION ASSOCIATED WITH SIZE OF FARMS; WITH VALUE OF FARM LAND AND BUILDINGS; WITH MORTGAGED OWNER-OPERATED FARMS; WITH LOCATION OF FARMS ON KINDS OF ROADS Based on the 1925 Census of Agriculture By C. J. Galpin, Principal Agricultural Economist Division of Farm Population and Rural Life The accompanying set of maps presents several aspects of agricul- ture obtaining in the United States in the year 1925, and recorded sta- tistically in the agricultural census of that year. It is believed that added interest will attach to the rural situations portrayed, when the percentage that the farm population living in the counties which contain the particular conditions depicted in each map is of the farm population of the United States, is also indicated and becomes associated with the geographic descriptions. It will prove informing also to associate broadly with these various geographic situations the number of the farm population in each State in 1925. It is obvious that, in matters of county taxation, or the equiva- lent of county taxation, for the maintenance of county institutions, fa- cilities, and services, the whole farm population of a county is theo- retically affected alike - to their advantage or disadvantage - according as the value of the farm property of the county, for example, is high or low. For this reason it is significant to know the percentage of the farm population of the United States which is contained in counties characterized by similar farm property values. The percentages of farm population that are offered herewith in connection with the various maps were obtained in the following manner: From the 1925 Census of farm population, as distributed by counties, the farm population figures of all counties that in the particular map fall in the same class, were added together, and the percentage which this sum is of the total farm population of the United States, was computed. In the case of the mortgaged owner-operated farms (Fig. 10), however, the figures of population living on the cwner-operated farms of all counties that fall in the same class, were added together, and the percentage which this sum is of the total population living on owner-operated farms in the United States, was obtained. The groupings or classes of data graphically portrayed in figures 2 to 12 are more or less arbitrary. In some cases, choice was limited by the census data. In general, it may be said that a few categories were selected rather than several more, as less discursive and more ef- fective. In some cases, the intervals are not equal, for reasons largely contingent on the fewness of the classes. Fara Population by States The total farm population of the United States in 1925, according to the agricultural census of that year, was 28,981,660. The New England States, the Mountain States, and the Pacific States had a relatively small farm population (see fig. 1), in round numbers all together 2,700,000. And yet the combined approximate land area of these States is 40 per cent of the total land area of the United States. If we consider the remaining 60 per cent of the land area, it will be found that it is di- vided into approximately equal parts between the region comprised in fif- teen northern States and the region comprised in sixteen southern States, each area containing nearly the same number of white farm population in 1925, while in the same northern g a colored farm population of 90,000. and in the southern States, a colored farm population of 4,300,- 000. Farm Population and Size of Farms The number of farms in the United States, according to the agri- cultural census of 1925, was 6,371,660, of which 2.417,227 (that is, 37.8 per cent of the total) were farms of less than 50 acres each, and 5,222,- 082, (82 per cent of the total) were farms of less than 175 acres. As- suming the average number of farm population per farm as holding true ap- proximately on these farms, 10,877,521 farm people were living on farms of less than 50 acres, and 23,499,369, on farms less than 175 acres. It will be noted that this manner of calculation counts all the persons liv- ing on such farms, and only those who do live on such farms. There is now presented another type of association of farm pop- ulation with size of farms. By reference to the map (see fig. 2) show- ing average size of farms by counties, we are enabled to present, from the figures of the agricultural census of 1925, a distribution of the farm population of the United States, so that the total farm population living in counties, the average size of whose farms is classified as "under 70 acres." "70 to 120 acres." "120 to 170 acres," "170 acres and over," may be had in percentages of the total farm population of the United States. The reader is cautioned against confusing these two types of calculation; for manifestly the number of people actually liv- ing on farms of less than 70 acres may differ from the total farm pop- ulation of counties whose farms average less than 70 acres. The Census of 1925 defined farm population as comprising all persons living on farms. - 2 - The distribution of farm population mentioned above in connection with Figure 2 is as follows: 6 per cent in the counties where the average size of farms is less than 70 acres 43.5 per cent in the counties where the average size of farms is 70 to 120 acres 17.2 per cent in the counties where the average size of farms is 120 to 170 acres 15.7 per cent in the counties where the average size of farms is 170 acres and over The precise statement of the distribution is in this manner: The total farm population of all counties, the average size of whose farms in 1925 was less than 70 acres (indicated in fig. 2 by plain white) was 23.6 per cent of the farm population of the United States in 1925; and similarly for each of the other groups. Farm Population and Average Value per Acre of Farm Land The total value of the farm land of a county, divided by the number of acres of farm land in the county obviously gives the average value per acre of the farm land of the county; but plainly not all the farm population of the county live on farms whose value per acre of farm land ither as low as the average for the county or as high as the average. Some live on farms of lower-value land, some on farms of higher-value land. For lack of data on the number of farms in the United States the value of whose land per acre is "under $14" (see fig. 3) or from "$14 to $28," from "$28 to $42," or "$42 and over," we are unable even approxi- mately to estimate the total farm population in the United States living on farms whose value per acre is under $14, for example. However, we are able to distribute the farm population of the United States, so as to show what percentages of the total farm population live in counties, the average value of whose farm land per acre falls into the above men- tioned classes. Caution is offered at this point, therefore, that in using these figures one should discriminate the known fact from the un- known. By reference to Figure 3, one notices that the average value per acre of farm land of many counties in the Mountain States, where the farm population is sparse, is under $14; that falling either into the class "under $14" or into the class from "$14 to $28," are several States almost in their entirety; that only one State falls wholly into the class "$42 and over." - 3 - The distribution of farm population as outlined above in connec- tion with Figure 3 is as follows: 9.2 per cent in counties where the average value per acre of farm land is under $14 2 per cent in counties where the average value per acre of farm land is from $14 to $28 21.2 per cent in counties where the average value per acre of farm land is from $28 to $42 40.4 per cent in counties where the average value per acre of farm land is $42 and over. The precise statement of the distribution is as follows: The total farm population of all counties, the average value per acre of whose farm land alone in 1925 was less than $14 (indicated in fig. 3 by light-line shading) was 9.2 per cent of the farm population of the United States (28,981,668) in 1925; and similarly for each of the other groups. Farm Population and Average Value per Acre of Farm Buildings Although Figure 4 compared with Figure 3 indicates a broad coin- cidence of high-value farm buildings per acre with high-value farm land per acre, some exceptions will be noted. The data presented offer no clues to explain the coincidence or the exceptions. In presenting the percentages of farm population associated with the four classes of average value per acre of farm buildings, the caution is repeated to discriminate between the precise facts that are given, and any unwarranted inference. The distribution of farm population in connection with Figure 4 is as follows: 18.3 per cent in counties where the average value per acre of farm buildings is under $6 29.9 per cent in counties where the average value per acre of farm buildings is from $6 to $12 18.1 per cent in counties where the average value per acre of farm buildings is from $12 to $18 33.7 per cent in counties where the average value per acre of farm buildings is $18 and over - 4 - The precise statement of the distribution is as follow The total farm population of all counties, the average value per acre of whose farm buildings alone in 1925 was less than $6 - indicated in Figure 4 by light-line shading - was 18.3 per cent of the farm population of the United States in 1925; and similarly for each of the other grou. Farm Population and Average Value Per Acre of Farm Land and Buildings The combination of farm land and farm buildings, as presented in ure 5, offers a more complete economic situation affecting the farm population of the counties falling into the four classes than does either Figure 3 or Figure 4. Therefore, for purposes of information, the as- sociation of the farm population living in the counties falling into the four groups, apparently offers a wider use than either Figure 3 or Figure 4. The distribution of farm population in connection with Figure 5 is as follows: 9.6 per cent in the counties where the average value per acre of farm land and buildings is under $20 28.9 per cent in the counties where the average value per acre of farm land and buildings is from $20 to $40 21.0 per cent in the counties where the average value per acre of farm land and buildings is from $40 to $60 40.5 per cent in the counties where the average value per acre of farm land and buildings is $60 and over The precise statement of the distribution is as follows: The total farm population of all counties, the average value per acre of whose farm land and buildings together in 1925 was less than $20 _g. 5 by light-line shading) was 9.6 per cent of the farm population of the United States (28,981.668) in 1925; and similarly for each of the other groups. Farm Population and Average Value Per Farm of Farm Land and Buildings A close comparison of Figure 5 and Figure 6 with each other and wit. 2 will prove informing. Similarly a comparison of the dis- of farm population in connection with Figures 5, 6, and 2 will broaden the ba£ .nowledge about farm problems in the United States. - 5 - The cautions given in regard to .so of preceding figures and as- sociations of fara population are pi -on with Figure 6. _ distribution of faro popul in connection with Figure 6 is as follows: 8 per n the counties where the average value per farm of o land and buildings is under $2000 27.4 per cent in the counties where the average value per farm of :-b land and buildings is from $2000 to $3999 32.9 per cent in the counties where the average value per farm of farm land and bui: is from $4000 to $9999 24.9 per cent in the counties where the average value per farm of farm land and buildings is $10,000 and ovor The precise statement of the above distribution is as follows: The total farm population of Lea, the average value per farm of whose farm land and buildings tC r in 1925 was less than $2000 (indicated in fig. 6 by light- :ding) was 14.8 per cent of the farm population of the United States (28.981.668) in 1925; and SJ ilarly for each of the other groups. Farm Population and Value of Farm [ ..d Buildings :pita of Farm Population ction with Figure 7, the distribution of farm population is as follows: 5.4 per cent in the counties where the value of farm ind buildings per capita is under $300 6 per cent in the counties where the value o: land buildings per capita is from $300 to $600 32.6 per cent in the countit the value of farm land and buildings per capita is from $600 to $1600 33.4 per cent in the counties where the value of farm land and buildings per capita is $1600 and over Th- -se statement of the distribution is as follows: ie total farm population of ^ounties. the value per capita (p C - .a population) of whose farm land and buildings in 1925 was loss than $300 (indicated in fig. 7 by light-lir. mg) was 5.4 per rm population of the United States I simi- . ly for each of the other groups. - 6 - Farm Population and Average Value Per Farm of All Faro Property In connection with Figure 8. the distribution of farm population is as follows: 13.4 per cent in the counties where the average value per farm of all farm property is under $2300 1 per cent in the counties where the average value per farm of all farm property is from $2300 to $4300 cent in the counties where the average value per farm of all farm property is from S4300 to $12000 cent in the counties where the average value per farm of all farm property is $12000 and over The precise statement of the distribution is as follows: The total farm population of all counties, the average value of whose combined farm property per farm in 1925 was less than $2300 (in- .. fig. 8 by light-line shading) was 13.4 per cent of the farm pop.. be United States in 1925; and similarly for each of the other groups. ira Population and Value of All Farm Property Per Capita of Farm Population ribution of farm population in connection with Figure 9 is as follows: 7.2 per cent in the counties where the value of all farm property per capita is under $400 26.8 per cent in the counties v:here the value of all farm property per capita is $400 to $800 29.4 per cent in the counties where the value of all farm property per capita is $800 to $2,000 36.6 per cent in the counties where the valu* 5 of all farm property per capita is $2,000 and over. : precise statement of the distribution is as follows: :- total farm population of all counties, the value of whose com- ■ property per capita (of farm population) was in 1925 less than $400 ( *.ed in fig. 9 by light-line shading) was 7.2 per cent of the m population of the United States in 1925; and similarly for each of the other groups. - 7 - Farm Population and Mortgaged Owner-Operated Farms It will be noticed that Figure 10 presents a graph relating only to farms oporated by owners. Tenant-operated farms are omitted from con- sideration. In fact, no similar mor debt data are available in the agricultural census of 1925 for farms operated by tenants. Persons using this map are cautioned, therefore, against interpreting Figure 10 to mean that it gives mortgage debt information as to all farms. For example, the irregular strip of territory reaching from Canada to Mexico marked with the heavy black bands, indicates not that 60 per cent and over of all the farms in the counties so marked bear a mortgage debt, but only that in this area 60 per cent and over of those farms which are operated by owners bear a mortgage debt. It should be noted, furthermore, that no information is presented in Figure 10 on the amount of the mortgage debt in question. The value and uses of Figure 10 and of its associated farm population information depend solely upon the bare fact of some mortgage debt on farms of owner- operated farms: and upon the relativ city or frequency of mortgaged owner-operated farms in various sections of the United States; and upon the rolative percentages which the population living on mortgaged owner- operated farms is of all population on owner-operated farms. The following figures on tenancy will help the reader interpret Figure 10: The percentage of tenant farms in the whole United States was, in 1925. 38.6 per cent; in New England, 5.6 per cent; in the Middle At- lantic. 15.8 per cent; in the East North Central, 26.0 per cent; in the West North Central, 37.8 per cent; in the South Atlantic, 44.5 per cent; in the East South Central, 50.3 per cent; in the West South Central. 59.2 per cent; in the Mountain. 22.2 per cent; in the Pacific, 15.6 per cent. The population on owner-operated farms in connection with Figure 10 is distributed as follows: 18.9 per cent in the counties where the mortgaged owner-operated farms are under 20 per cent 40.8 per cent in the counties where the mortgaged owner-operated farms are from 20 per cent to 39.9 per cent 32.3 per cent in the counties where the mortgaged owner-operated farms are from 40 per cent to 59.9 per cent 8.0 per cent in the counties where the mortgaged owner-operated farms are 60 per cent and over - 8 - The precise statement of the above distribution is as follows: The total population on owner-operated farms of all counties, the number of whose mortgaged owner-operated farms in 1925 was less than 20 per cent of the total number of owner-operated farms in the county (in- dicated in fig. 10 as dotted areas) was 18.9 per cent of the total pop- ulation on owner-operated farms of the United States in 1925; and simi- larly for each of the other groups. Farm Population and Farms Located on Unimproved and Improved Roads The information conveyed in Figure 11 is limited, but still sig- nificant. All that is indicated in the graph is the counties in which the majority of the farms adjoin unimproved roads, and the counties in which the majority of the farms adjoin improved roads. In no county is the number of farms on unimproved and improved roads the same. Figure 11 should be compared with Figure 12. Readers are cautioned against inter- preting Figure 11 as showing areas in which there are only improved roads and showing areas in which there are only unimproved roads. The map at- tempts only to indicate the location of counties in which a majority of the farms of a county was on unimproved or on improved roads. The farm population is distributed in connection with Figure 11 as follows: 42.7 per cent in the counties where 50 per cent or more of the farms are on unimproved roads 57.3 per cent in the counties where 50 per cent or more of the farms are on improved roads The precise statement of the distribution is as follows: The total farm population of all counties, in which in 1925, 50 per cent or more of the farms were on ("adjoined") unimproved roads (indicated in fig. 11 by light-line shading) was 42.7 per cent of the farm popula- tion of the United States in 1925; and similarly for the other group. - 9 - Farm Population and Farms Loc Joncreto. Brick, or Macadam Roads The farm population is distributed in connection with Figure 12 as follows: 65.8 per cent in tho counties where to 5 per cent of the farms :e on cone brick or macadam roads 10.9 per cent in the counties where 5 to 10 per cent of the farms are on concrete, brick or macadam roads 11.1 per cent in tho counties where 10 to 20 per cent of the farms are on concrete, brick or nacadam roads 12.2 per cent in the counties where 20 per cent and over are on concrete, brick or macadam roads The precise statement of the distribution is a3 follows: The total farm population of ounties. in which in 1925 the number of farms on ("adjoined") concrete, brick, and macadam roads was from to 5 per cent of all farms ir. the county (indicated in Figure 12 by light-line shading) was 65.8 per cent of the farm population of the United States in 1925; and similarly for each of the other groups. - 10 - in oo u tr o CO CO o C\J cr o u n or o u z u 3 C\J •«■ O CM UJ v£ O en u Z a O CO 00 3 o CM u D u CVJ CM u cr a t- <* CO o LU 2 a. 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