150 Years Ago These Were The 14 Most Common Jobs In Florida
Ever wonder what jobs were most common in Florida 150 years ago? You’re in the right place! Some jobs back then were similar to today, like soldiers and store clerks. Others, like cigar makers, were much more prevalent in the 1870s. At that time, Florida’s population was under 200,000. Now, it’s over 21.54 million, and by 2030, it could surpass 26 million. This list is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1870 decennial census.
Government Officials
As the name suggests, these folks were officials in the government. In Florida, there were 312 people employed in this occupation, with 44,743 nationally. It ranked as the twenty-sixth most common job in the U.S.
Blacksmiths
Using metal, blacksmiths made essential tools, horseshoes, and other things that were vital for daily life. Florida had 313 blacksmiths 150 years ago, compared to 141,774 nationally. It was the eleventh most common job in the U.S.
Traders And Dealers
This covers a wide range of occupations, but these folks exchanged goods and services overall. In Florida, there were 316 people in this occupation out of 100,406 nationally. It ranked as the fifteenth most common job in the U.S.
Mill And Factory Workers
The workers often operated machinery, contributing to the new and up and coming manufacturing sector. Florida had 369 individuals working in this field, compared to 41,619 nationally. It was the thirty-third most common job in the U.S.
Soldiers
These were soldiers in the United States Army. In Florida, there were 398 soldiers serving in the United States Army, with 22,081 nationally. It ranked as the fifty-sixth most common job in the U.S.
Store Clerks
Store clerks worked behind the counters of shops, managing transactions, assisting customers, and stocking shelves. Florida had 455 individuals employed in this occupation, compared to 222,504 nationally, making it the sixth most common job in the U.S.
Sailors
Florida’s a peninsula, surrounded by ocean except to the North, and has plenty of rivers throughout. So it’s no surprise sailors are number 7 on our list today. There were 611 individuals employed as sailors, while nationally there were 56,663. It ranked as the twenty-third most common job in the U.S.
Launderers And Laundresses
These essential workers washed clothes. Florida had 655 people working in this field, compared to 60,906 nationally. It ranked as the twenty-first most common job in the U.S.
Carpenters And Joiners
Carpenters and joiners shaped homes, furniture, and essential infrastructure. There were 1,049 individuals in this occupation out of 344,596 nationally. It ranked as the fifth most common job in the U.S.
Domestic Servants
These people worked for households, doing various tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for the family. In Florida, there were 4,003 people employed, with 975,734 nationally. It was the fourth most common job in the U.S.
Laborers
These workers labored in various ways, often their job duties were very physically demanding. They worked jobs such as construction, loading/unloading, and general labor. Florida had 4,065 individuals in this occupation, while nationally there were 1,031,666. It ranked as the third most common job in the U.S. as well.
Farmers And Planters
These hardworking people made sure America didn’t starve. In Florida, 11,165 people worked in this field out of 2,977,711 nationally. It was the most common job in the U.S. at the time.
Agricultural Laborers
These workers labored in the hot fields of the Sunshine State. They planted, harvested, and maintained crops. Their hands nurtured the soil that brought forth sustenance for a growing country. In Florida, 31,033 people were employed in this occupation, compared to 2,885,996 nationwide. It was the second most common job in the U.S.
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