There was also a change in the white population's demographics. For the first time since Perry Township had been officially established, white females outnumbered white males living in the township. Five hundred and twenty-three individuals, or 49.5% of the population, were males. Five hundred and thirty-four individuals, or 50.5% of the population, were females.
The average family size, like the white population, had also decreased. In 1830, approximately nine members lived in each household. In 1840, however, the average household was comprised of only seven members. The population of children under the age of 15 had increased from previous years. Children under 15 now made up approximately 43.6% of the population of Perry Township.
The free colored household listed in the 1830 census had moved away from Perry Township. The free colored servant had also left the Philip Rushcreek household, although the Rushcreek family remained in Perry Township. There were no foreigners not naturalized listed in the 1840 census. Apparantly all of the foreigners had either become naturalized citizens or had left Perry Township. Perry Township residents were all white, and this would remain so until after the Civil War.
The economy was more diversified than it had ever been in previous years. The overwhelming majority of free white males, 264 individuals, were still involved in agriculture. Forty-four men, or approximately 14.3% of the working male population, were involved in activities other than agriculture. One individual was employed in a learned profession. Two individuals were involved in commerce, and 37 were employed in manufacture. One family had four men who were employed in mining. No one was listed as a navigator.
Virtually all of the white adult population in Perry Township were literate. An adult illiterate was defined as a white individual who was over the age of 20 and could not read or write. Out of 477 individuals who were white adults, 21 individuals were classified as illiterates. The illiterates constituted only 4.4% of the white adult population in Perry Township.
Two military pensioners were listed in the census. Both of these men were at least eighty years old. There were also two indigent persons listed in the census. Two female children were listed as "deaf and dumb." Although from different families, both of these children were private charges. Both of these children would remain in Perry Township for at least another decade.
1840 Census
Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Muskingum County Ohio. Chicago, IL: The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1892.
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