Wealth inequality and economic mobility in the post-revolutionary Pennsylvania backcountry. Issue 4 (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Latzko, David A.
• Is Part Of: Historical methods. Volume 53:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: distribution of wealth -- Early National Period -- York County -- Pennsylvania -- inequality; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Onderzoeksmethoden; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 300.5
• DOI: 10.1080/01615440.2019.1698384
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-5440

Abstract

Abstract: Township tax lists for 1783 and 1793 are used to examine the distribution of wealth and economic mobility in York County, Pennsylvania following the Revolutionary War. Measures of inequality are inconclusive, but the typical York County household was worse off in 1793 than in 1783: median wealth fell 5 percent. The poorest households recorded an increase in assessed wealth. Over 40 percent of households disappeared from the tax lists, with the least wealthy being the most likely to leave. Households that remained in the county were far more likely to see an improvement in their relative status than a decline.