Escondido’s Population and Racial Demographics – 1890-1940
The bar graph below measures Escondido’s decennial population census between 1890 and 1940.
The city showed steady population growth overtime. Within fifty years, Escondido’s population grew from 541 in 1890 to 4,560 in 1940.
U.S. Census Bureau, “Census of Population and Housing,” accessed March 31, 2022, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html.
Both the 1930 and 1940 census showed that Escondido’s population was predominantly white. According to the 1930 census, Escondido had 2,588 native white citizens, 233, foreign white citizens, zero African American citizens, and 600 citizens labeled as “other races [sic].” The term “other races” most likely referred to residents whom the census regarded as being neither white nor African American.
By 1940, both the native white and foreign white population had increased to 3,969 and 395 respectively. Meanwhile, the population of “other races” had decreased to 195. Some of the residents categorized as “other races” may have potentially been Asian immigrants.
Methodology
The census information for both the population and demographics were obtained from census.gov. Escondido’s racial demographics before 1930 were unavailable because prior to 1930, the U.S. Census Bureau did not recognize Escondido as an incorporated area. At the time the census records were published, the Census Bureau designated cities with a population of 2,500 or more as an incorporated area. These cities were also the only ones that had specified racial demographics in the census. Escondido did not have a population of over 2,500 until 1930, therefore any racial demographics before that year are unavailable.
Population of Asian Immigrants in Escondido – 1900-1940
The following bar graphs examine how many Asian immigrants were registered in Escondido for each census year between 1900 and 1940. These statistics are not a realistic representation of Escondido’s Asian immigrant population, as some figures for each census year appear low or show zero immigrants registered. More than likely, there were some Asian immigrants living in Escondido who were not registered in the city census.
Prior to 1900, Chinese immigrants were the only population of Asian immigrants in Escondido. At the turn of the twentieth century, the population of Chinese immigrants began to rapidly decline. This decline was partially attributed to Chinese exclusion laws, which forced Chinese immigrants to move out of Escondido and seek work elsewhere. There would, however, be a slight increase after 1930.
Based on Escondido’s census records, there was a huge influx of Japanese immigrants between 1900 and 1910. Despite a slight decline after 1910, the population would increase yet again and would become the second largest Asian immigrant population in Escondido by 1940.
Mass waves of Filipino immigrants began migrating into Escondido after 1920. By 1940, Filipino immigrants were the largest population of Asian immigrants in Escondido.
Methodology
The data utilized in the Tableau visualizations were obtained from FamilySearch.org. FamilySearch is a genealogical website that contains data extracted from U.S. census records. Data from FamilySearch shows how many Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino immigrants were registered Escondido citizens during census years, beginning in 1900 and ending in 1940. Each line graph represents the population statistics of immigrants from a specific Asian group. The statistics begin in 1900 because it fits close to the timeframe of the thesis research. The statistics end in 1940 because it is not only close to the end of the aforementioned timeframe, but because FamilySearch does not have access to census records from 1950 onwards.
Racial Statistics of California – 1910, 1920, and 1940
The maps below display data extracted from IPUMS NHGIS. Each map of California analyzes a variety of racial statistics within each county for the census years of 1910, 1920, and 1940. These statistics measure the population of all races* except for white or African-American.
This map measures the total population of all races in each California county other than white or African-American. The term “Indian” is referring to the American Indian population.
Steven Manson, Jonathan Schroeder, David Van Riper, and Steven Ruggles. IPUMSNational Historical Geographic
Information System: Version 16.0 [Database].Minneapolis, MN: IPUMS. 2021. http://doi.org/10.18128/D050.V16.0
Compared to 1910, 1920 shows an increase in the population of races other than white or African-American across various counties. For instance, San Diego County measured a population of 2,467 in 1910 and 3,147 in 1920. Once again, “Indian” is referring to the American Indian population.
Steven Manson, Jonathan Schroeder, David Van Riper, and Steven Ruggles. IPUMSNational Historical Geographic
Information System: Version 16.0 [Database].Minneapolis, MN: IPUMS. 2021. http://doi.org/10.18128/D050.V16.0
This map measures race/nativity statistics in each California county from 1940. The term “‘other’ races” is referring to all racial classifications other than white or African-American.
Steven Manson, Jonathan Schroeder, David Van Riper, and Steven Ruggles. IPUMSNational Historical Geographic
Information System: Version 16.0 [Database].Minneapolis, MN: IPUMS. 2021. http://doi.org/10.18128/D050.V16.0
Methodology
The data provided for the maps are from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series, or IPUMS. IPUMS is a website that provides census and survey data from around the world. IPUMS obtains geographic census and survey data from the National Historical Geographic Information System, or NHGIS. Through the IPUMS NHGIS website, datasets from the years 1910, 1920, and 1940 were researched. The datasets contained information related to nativity, race, and U.S. county population. A variety of these datasets were downloaded and the ones best suited for the thesis research were then developed into interactive Tableau maps. Once the maps were created, the datasets were filtered through until all that remained was California data. The main objective with Tableau was to measure and display datasets from California and its counties.
The maps do not display data from 1900 and 1930 for two reasons. First, in 1900, San Diego County was much bigger than it was in 1910. The county originally encompassed what is now Imperial County, before it became divided in 1907. If San Diego County census data from 1900 was incorporated into the graphs, the data would be inconsistent compared to the years after. This statistical research uses data between 1910 and 1940 because during those years, San Diego County remained the same size and could therefore produce more consistent results. Second, there is no data displayed for 1930 because IPUMS NHGIS showed no adequate nativity/race data relevant to Asian immigrant populations in the U.S. for that particular census year.
* Modern scholars challenge the notion of race as a biological construct, and consider it to be a social construct. However, the term “races” has been used by the census and I am using it in the sense it was used at the time. According to Pew Research Center, enumerators initially classified race based on physical characteristics (Parker, Horowitz, Morin, and Lopez, June 11, 2015). Much of the language used in these graph titles were reflective of a time when the U.S. Census had limited racial designations, with some some racial groups being categorized as “other races.” During the first half of the twentieth century, enumerators did not view race as a form of self-identity. Citizens could not choose their own race until 1960. Additionally, Pew Research attests that racial categories during this period were indicative of white superiority (Parker, Horowitz, Morin, and Lopez, June 11, 2015).