1800–1990: Changes In Urban and Rural U.S. Population

The Dominance of Farm Life (1800–1870)

In 1800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 94 percent of the U.S. population lived in a rural setting. The early 19th century was characterized by an overwhelmingly agrarian American population. Multigenerational households were common and aging family members typically remained on the farms with their loved ones, who made up their support network. People usually stopped working only when they were unable to continue physically.

Most families were self-sufficient. People grew food at home and took a trip to the general store in town to buy sugar, flour, tea, cloth, kerosene, tools, hardware, toys and seeds — items they couldn’t produce themselves. Going into town meant walking, riding a horse or riding in a wagon drawn by a horse.

Homesteads and farms had everything a family needed, and people remained proudly self-reliant. Professional caregivers didn’t provide home care like they do today. Any care needed for older adults was provided by members of the family. The family took care of ill family members at home and in very serious situations a family member would call a country doctor to the home.2

The first automobile was a century away, so traveling 10 miles by horse took most of the day. The country was largely made up of farms and small towns. From 1800 to 1820, only 6 percent to 7 percent of people lived in urban settings.

Life Expectancy At the Time

Life expectancy in 1900 was only about 47 years.3 Very few people made it to old age. Medical advancements that later helped people live longer included better sanitation, the development of antibiotics and vaccines, and better maternal care.

The Impact of the Industrial Revolution (1870–1920)

Because of industrialization, younger generations set out for growing urban centers, which disrupted traditional family caregiving structures on farms. Older adults were left behind on the farms or followed their children to very unfamiliar urban environments.

The first private company pension plans began in the United States with American Express in 1875. It marked a significant shift in retirement planning and employer-employee relations. During a period of increased industrialization, the company could now attract and retain skilled workers, giving them a sense of security and stability. Pensions, however, were not widespread or universally available.5

An awareness of senior poverty appeared, culminating in movements that supported old-age assistance. Meanwhile, a mass of European immigration into cities created cultural melting pots. By 1890, industrial centers such as Chicago, Pittsburgh and Detroit were growing quickly as manufacturing jobs attracted both immigrants and rural Americans.6

Statistics About Urban and Rural Population in the U.S.

Society remained mostly rural until 1920, when slightly more people made cities their homes. That marked a turning point when our country transformed from a predominantly rural and agricultural nation into a modern, urban and industrial one.

Below you’ll find a chart from the U.S. Census Bureau comparing urban and rural populations from 1800 to 1990.

The Appeal of Cities

By 1880, 72 percent of the U.S. population still lived in a rural setting, but the call of the city grew stronger as 28 percent of people had already moved to an urban location. By 1900, 40 percent of the population lived in urban dwellings. In 1920, the ratio increased to almost 50/50.

People now chose cities because of opportunity and convenience. People no longer depended on horses for transportation. The rapid expansion of the West also began to slow. In the 20th century, railroads and streetcars were the most affordable ways to travel any distance. Children left home and moved to the city, where they would work a job rather than on the farm.

By 1920, 50 percent of urban dwellings had electricity. That opened the door for further conveniences, such as electric washing machines and small appliances. Running water became available and electricity powered refrigerators so food could be kept longer before spoiling. Life became easier in cities, and people were more drawn to urban areas.7

In terms of senior care, the depletion of labor on the farms — children leaving home — meant those who remained in rural America had to do more. Fewer people were around to care for mom, dad, grandma and grandpa. Medicare and Medicaid did not begin until 1965, and the idea of a nursing home as we know it today did not begin until the 1970s.

Rural areas lacked electricity and had a lower standard of living. Bringing power to rural areas was expensive and only 1 in 10 farms had access to electricity in 1930.8 That was before the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in 1936.9

The Depression and New Deal Era (1920–1945)

The stock market crash of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression highlighted the poverty and hardship that was rampant on farms. The Great Depression caused major economic devastation and the vulnerability of older Americans came to light, particularly in urban settings. Older adults without sufficient means were sent to poorhouses — a place of subpar living standards, abuse and disease.

Inadequate care in senior living persisted for many, and it didn’t really change until after the Great Depression. Then the poorhouse would become a paler version of today’s board and care homes. Segregated housing for urban seniors became commonplace as multifamily households were no longer the norm.

The Social Security Act of 193510 was a major milestone for older adults. It created a comprehensive safety net in the United States by providing for seniors, the unemployed and people with disabilities. The act continues to be vital for millions of Americans today.

Post-War Suburbanization (1945–1970)

Suburban areas saw rapid growth fueled by factors such as the baby boom, increased housing availability and the rise of the automobile. Increased car ownership and improved transportation was beneficial for many older adults, but it also resulted in isolation for people without access to vehicles. The shift in mobility led to both greater independence and a greater dependence on others.

The massive suburban expansion after World War II affected senior living arrangements, with the growth of formalized facilities. The institutions were serving older adults in hospitals, nursing homes and retirement communities. After 1965, when Medicare and Medicaid became law, nursing homes multiplied. Medicare’s provisions included coverage for skilled nursing facilities, so there was a huge increase in older adults going to nursing homes.

The shift from rural living to urban and suburban living was fueled by innovations such as the advent of the automobile and the assembly line. Additionally, technological advancements such as electricity, the telephone and improved transportation infrastructure also played a role in facilitating urban and suburban growth.

Cities and suburbs offered more job opportunities and amenities than rural areas. People could work in big cities and live in quiet suburbs. The development of specialized services such as Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 and specialized facilities for seniors, such as nursing homes and retirement communities, also enhanced life for older adults.

Retirement Communities and Sunbelt Migration (1970–1990)

The emergence of planned retirement communities and the senior mass migration to Sunbelt states altered the geographic distribution of America’s aging population between 1970 and 1990. Older adults were now increasingly concentrated in Florida, Arizona and California. Florida’s senior population more than doubled between 1970 and 1990.11

These migration patterns were driven by retirees seeking warmer climates, lower costs of living, recreation and communities with amenities that catered specifically to older adults.

Major factors driving the migration included:

• Development of air conditioning, making year-round living in hot climates more comfortable
• Growth of specialized retirement communities
• Lower taxes in many Sunbelt states
• Interstate highways that made transportation fast and easy
• Commercial air travel, which facilitated visits with family in northern states

The migration to the Sunbelt altered the demographic, economic and political landscape of the United States, as it shifted the population toward the South and West.