Statistics showing the the number of workers from 1840-2005.
| Labor force1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Number (thousands) | Percent of working-age population |
| 1840 | 5,420 | 46.6% |
| 1850 | 7,697 | 46.8 |
| 1860 | 10,533 | 47.0 |
| 1870 | 12,925 | 45.8 |
| 1880 | 17,392 | 47.3 |
| 1890 | 23,318 | 49.2 |
| 1900 | 29,073 | 50.2 |
| 1910 | 37,371 | 52.2 |
| 1920 | 42,434 | 51.3 |
| 1930 | 48,830 | 49.5 |
| 1940 | 55,640 | 55.7 |
| 1945 | 53,860 | 57.2 |
| 1950 | 62,208 | 59.2 |
| 19552 | 65,023 | 59.3 |
| 1960 | 69,628 | 59.4 |
| 19652 | 74,455 | 58.9 |
| 1970 | 82,771 | 60.4% |
| 19752 | 93,774 | 61.2 |
| 19802 | 106,940 | 63.8 |
| 1985 | 115,461 | 64.8 |
| 19902 | 125,840 | 66.5 |
| 19952 | 132,304 | 66.6 |
| 1996 | 133,943 | 66.8 |
| 19972 | 136,297 | 67.1 |
| 19982 | 137,673 | 67.1 |
| 19992 | 139,368 | 67.1 |
| 20002 | 142,583 | 67.1 |
| 2001 | 143,734 | 66.8 |
| 2002 | 144,863 | 66.6 |
| 20032 | 146,510 | 66.2 |
| 20042 | 147,401 | 66.0 |
| 20052 | 149,320 | 66.0 |
1. For 1840 to 1930, the data relate to the population and gainful workers at age 10 and over; for 1940 to 1945, the data relate to the population and labor force at age 14 and over; for 1950 onward, the data relate to the population and labor force at age 16 and over.
2. Not strictly comparable with data for prior years.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web: data.bls.gov
