The Population of New Hampshire 



By J. R. Bo WRING 

 Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics 



THIS PRELIMINARY study has been undertaken with an appreciation of 

 the economic significance of population changes within the United States 

 and with particular reference to New Hampshire. Selection of specific data 

 from the detailed figures available in the census reports has been made to 

 stress the more important changes that are occurring in the location of people. 

 This is of particular value to business men and to state and local govern- 

 ments who are responsible for institutions and public services. 



Certain characteristics of birth rates, age distribution, and education 

 as well as occupation and income are offered to supplement the discussion 

 on population location. At this stage the limits of the secondary data are 

 the limits of this bulletin. Therefore conclusions are restrained and when- 

 ever made are founded on statistical evidence available. 



This bulletin is the forerunner of further studies of population with 

 particular emphasis on the rural-urban migration and the meaning of such 

 migration to rural institutions and communities. Characteristic of most areas 

 in the United States, technological progress in agricultural production is re- 

 ducing the number of people required on farms to provide the nation's food 

 supplies. Industrial employment opportunities have provided the vehicle for 

 movement out of agriculture since 1940 in particular. Such shifts create 

 social problems in rural areas and in the urban areas to which people have 

 moved. It is opportune, therefore, that such problems be studied and an- 

 alyzed to enable individuals and government better to appreciate the ad- 

 justments and to aid in the transition. 



Trends 



Regional Changes 



The United States population has increased between each ten year 

 census. The rate of increase has not been uniform. For example, there was 

 a general decrease in this rate between 1930 and 1940 but the tempo was 

 regained between 1940 and 1950. 



All regions have not changed in the same degree. The rate of increase 

 has been notably higher in the Mountain and Pacific States and lower in 

 the New England, West North Central, and East South Central divisions. The 

 percentage increases of the Middle Atlantic, East North Central, and East 

 South Central divisions of the 1920'3 were not regained in the 1940's. The 

 rate of New England's increase from 1940-1950, however, remains one of 

 the lowest and exceeds only the Middle Atlantic, the East South Central, 

 and the West North Central divisions (Table 1). 



