Centre County, Pa.
TOP OCCUPATIONS in 1860

Below are the occupations identified in the 1860 U.S. Census for Centre County. The number in parentheses represents the number oif individuals listing that occupation and is, of course, limited by what the respondent told the enumerator, and ho well the enumerator heard what was said. We are grateful to the late Chet Smith who did a computer analysis of the 27,007 persons enumerated in 1860. Spiral bound versions of his findings can be reviewed in the Centre County Library in Bellefonte, the Family History Center in State College, and in the Microforms scetion of Penn State's Pattee Library. The information is used with permission of Chet's widow Mildred, who in November 2000 resided in Utah.

  • 1. Farmer (1365)
  • 2. Laborer (1021)
  • 3. Farm Laborer (847)
  • 4. Day Laborer (695)
  • 5. Servant (416)
  • 6. Carpenter (188)
  • 7. Blacksmith (112)
  • 8. Seamstress (98)
  • 9. Merchant (89)
  • 10. Clerk (80)
  • 10. Shoemaker (80)
  • 12. Mechanic (67)
  • 13. Lumberman (60)
  • 14. Miller (56)
  • 15. Innkeeper (51)
  • 15. Miner (51)
  • 15. Tailor (51)
  • 18. Teamster (47)
  • 19. Physician (44)
  • 20. Collier (31)