The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-09-30
NORTH CAROLINA LEADS IN SIZE OF
FAMILIES

North Carolina has the largest families.
The average size Of the family in this State
is greater than in any of the other Al
States. This information has been gathered
and published by the University News Let
ter. Large families constitute problem IN
the State, because of the fact that this is a
State of children and young people. This
fact places a heavy burden on the educ"-
tional system, especially upon the public
school system. TIE proportion of popuIa-
ton of productive age is lower than IN
other States, while the number OF children
to be educated is proportionately larger.
This is Just one of the conditions faced IN
North Carolina which make the problems
of the State somewhat different to those OF
other States.
North Carolina stands first among all the states
in the average size of the family. We average
4s5 persons to the family, which is nearly one
person more than the national average South
Carolina ranks second in the average size of the
family. The two Carolinas are considerably ahead
, of any other similar area in this respect The
EXPLANATION of course is the exceeding high birth
rates and in the case of North Carolina death
rate about the national average.
Probably more significant than the size of the
family is the age distribution of the population
, North Carolina is state where youth prevails
Our population is composed of high ratio OF
young people and low ratio of people in the pro-
-ductive years and beyond.
Almost exactly half the people of North Caro-
lima are nineteen years of age or younger, while
the ratio for the nation a whole is only 1913
per cent. Only South Carolina ranks ahead Of
North Carolina in per cent of the population nine
teen years of age or under. Conversely, North
Carolina and South Carolina have the smallest
per cents of people in every age group from 20
years Of age on up, except IN one instance. The
ratios for North Carolina and South Carolina are
almost exactly the same in every age group.
This means that the two CaroIinas have rela-
lively fewer bread winners, and more dependents
per breadwinner than any other state in the Union
There are many economic and social conditions
involved in the age distribution of the population
very important one at the present time is the
school problem. North and South Carolina lead
the United States in per cent of population OF
school age. North Carolina, with her higher white
ratio has the highest per cent of her total popul
LlOn enrOIeQ IN SCHOOLS OF all the states III lhe
Union. This means that we have more school chill
dren in proportion to taxpayers than any other
state. This is why we are finding it so difficult IL
provide funds with which to pay our teachers de-
cent salaries and otherwise to finance schools
The chances are very good that the per pupil cost
of public education in North Carolina during the
coming biennium will be the lowest of all the states
of the Union. And mainly because we insist or
having children beyond our apparent ability Oh
willingness to educate them.
We are aware of the fact that ADMINISTRATIVE
North Carolina has the most advanced school sys
tenn of all the states, but the system is being
financed on what will likely prove to be the loves
per pupil per month cost of all the states. Eigh
months of school for one million children six
teen million dollars is two dollars per child pc
month, which is education at bargain prices /
may be the best we can do with so many children
in proportion to taxpayers. 1t will be hard OF
school teachers
The above is but one of many problems arising
out of our large ratio of youth in terms of wealth
income, and breadwinners.
The supreme opportunity of North Carolina, wit
the youngest population of all the states, is ade
quately to equip these children to carry on sue
cessfully when they will have become adults 1t i
the only way to insure a great North Carolina il
the next generation.