LIVING STANDARDS IN U.S.

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26512, 29 August 1951, Page 11

LIVING STANDARDS IN U.S.

IMPROVEMENT DURING LAST DECADE

Modern conveniences have become available to additional millions of Americans during the last decade, according to the United States Census Bureau. The Bureau reports that 94 per cent, of the' 45,875,000 rural and urban dwelling units in the United States had electric lighting in 1850, compared with 79 per cent, in 1940. About one-half of the units had central heating equipment consisting of piped steam, hot water, or warm-air furnace*. In 1940, approximately 42 per cent of the homes had central heating. By 1950, eight out of 10 American home* had mechanical refrigeration, while one out of 10 still used ice refrigeration. In 1940, four out of 10 homes had mechanical refrigerators, Sighty-five per cent, of the homes had running water and kitchen sinks in 1950. In the rural farm areas, many homes without running water had a kitchen sink equipped with a hand pump. Approximately 96 per cent, of the homes had one or more radios. More than 5,000,000 homes had television sets. The Bureau reports that more than 9,000,000 new homes and apartments were built in the United States in the 10-year period. ”