1860 New Philadelphia Federal Census

Analysis of New Philadelphia Federal Census for 1860

The federal census of 1860 indicates that with 114 residents, New Philadelphia's population had grown 96% from its original 58 residents of 1850 and 40% more than its 81 individuals just five years earlier. The town now reported 24 households, 9 or 60% more than the 1855 state census and a staggering 118% more than ten years earlier (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1860.).

The value of real estate cumulatively owned by the 24 households equaled $20,000, or $833 per household. Cumulative personal property amounted to $6,925, or $289 per household (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1860).

Thirty-three individuals, 29 % of the population, were gainfully employed outside the home. Seventeen individuals, 52% of those gainfully employed or 15% of the total population, were occupied with farming. Eleven individuals, 10% of the population and 33% of the entire number of townsfolk, worked as laborers. The occupation field was left blank for the town's 51 children 15 years of age and younger who made up 45% of the town's population, and for 1 adult, Mary Stevens. Housework occupied 26 individuals, 23% of the town's residents (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1860).

As in previous census reports, the majority, 63 individuals or 55%, of the population originated from the Great Lakes region. Those born in Illinois, 50 residents or 44%, dominated New Philadelphia's population. Forty-three of the 50 Illinois born residents, 37% of the population were children 15 years of age or younger. The four Illinois born individuals ranged from 25 to 16 years of age. Twenty-four individuals, 21% of the population, originated from the North East region of the country. The majority of those originating from the North East region, 18 individuals, or 15% of the population were born in New York (U. S. Bureau of the Census 1860; 1990 Omni-Gazetteer of the U.S.). The large number of individuals from the North East region may have come to escape the economic chaos experienced in the East at the time; in pursuit of affordable land available on the frontier; and in answer to advertisements that appeared in east coast newspapers (McCartney 1988). Economic opportunity may also have lured settlers to region. Two of the town's residents, about 2% of the population, were born in Ireland (U.S. Bureau of the Census).

The majority of the New Philadelphia's population, 93 individuals or 82%, were classified as white. The town's five black individuals represented 4% of the total population; 16 mulatto individuals constituted 14% of all townsfolk. New Philadelphia was well ahead of the state of Illinois, however, in its representation of black citizens. The state reported only .4% or 7,628 black individuals, among the total population of 1,711,951 citizens (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1860). Restrictive and prejudicial Black Codes most likely contributed to the low number of black and mulatto individuals residing in the state.

The Burdick, Clark and Hadsell families, whose names appeared on the 1850 federal census, appeared again on the 1860 federal census roster (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1850 and 1860).