The Average Individual: From 1900-2016

  • 1900

    1900
    In 1900: The average American individual...
    -Spent 42.5% of their income on food
    -Consumer 112 grams of sugar daily
    -Lived in the southwest
    -Was 5' 4.5" tall
  • 1910

    1910
    In 1910: The average America...
    -Did not own a car (but would spend $800 on one if they did)
    -Made an hourly wage of $0.22
    -Never graduated high school
    -Probably died of either influenza, pneumonia, or turberculosis
  • 1920

    1920
    In 1920: The average American...
    -Did not have electricity
    -Spent $1.30 on a bushel of wheat
    -Lived in cities
    -Made $750 a year
  • 1930

    1930
    In 1930: The average American...
    -Had an annual income of $1,970.00
    -Shared their home with another 3.11 people
    -Spent 19% of their income on non-necessities
    -Spent $208.82 annually on clothing
  • 1940

    1940
    In 1940: The average American...
    -Was 5' 6" tall
    -Lived in New York
    -Would live to be 62.9 years old
    -Spent $50 on rent
  • 1950

    1950
    In 1950: The average American...
    -Who had a school offence was probably sent to the office for gum chewing
    -Spent $0.03 on stamps
    -Paid $12 per sq. ft. for housing
    -Spent $60 a month on rent
  • 1960

    1960
    In 1960: The average American...
    -Weighed 153 pounds
    -Was 29 years old
    -Did not have a college degree
    -Was married
  • 1970

    1970
    In 1970: The average American...
    -Was making $6,186.24
    -Shared their home with 2.14 other people
    -Had a BMI >25
    -Consumed 12 lbs of oil annually
  • 1980

    1980
    In 1980: The average American
    -Had an annual income of $19,700.00
    -Payed $1.19 for a gallon of gas
    -Weighed 145 pounds
    -Woman had 1.84 children
  • 1990

    1990
    In 1990: The average American...
    -Received 42% of their calories from fat
    -Teen had a GPA of 2.77
    -Weighed 152 pounds
    -Had an annual income of $52,684
  • 2000

    2000
    In 2000: The average American...
    -Consumed nearly 8 lbs of cheese annually
    -Teen watched over 2.5 hours of television a day
    -Was in debt
    -Was 35.3 years old
  • 2016

    2016
    In 2016: The average American...
    -Lives in the Northeast
    -Consumes 153 grams of sugar a day
    -Male is 5' 10"
    -Spends 9.9% of their income on food