Califon Then and Now

By Leo Janas, Councilman

In this year of Califon’s Centennial, a brief look back at the census of 1940 might give a little sense of where Califon was compared to what it looks like now, or at least how it looked in 2010 at the time of the last census.

In that seventy-year time frame, the population of the borough has almost doubled. In 1940 the population of Califon was 572. In 2010, Califon was home to 1,076 residents. The gender split was exactly 50-50, with both 286 men and women living here in 1940. In 2010, the mix was approximately 52 percent women to 48 percent men. A major difference in the age distribution of the population involves 25 to 34 year-olds. That younger group made up 18 percent of the population in 1940, but only accounts for 6 percent of people living in Califon more recently. The Califon of 1940 has no one who identified themselves as anything other than white, although nine people were listed as foreign- born. The Califon of 2010 was not much more diverse, but 42 individuals described themselves as something other than white or listed two or more races as part of their identity. Perhaps we need to find ways to attract a larger number of young adults with more diverse characteristics to live in our community.

Physical characteristics, like housing, have also changed. The town had 192 dwelling units in 1940, but had grown to a total of 419 houses by 2010. Not only have the number of dwelling units increased, but home-ownership in Califon has sky-rocketed, as it did in most of the country over that seventy year period. In 2010 there were just 47 renter-occupied houses (11 percent of the total) in the town; ninety dwelling units were tenant-occupied in 1940 (47 percent of the total). Perhaps because of the lingering effects of the Great Depression, there were 96 dwelling units that were listed as either needing major repairs or as having no private indoor plumbing in 1940. Despite its small size, the census still found three homes described as “rural farm dwelling” in Califon.

Some of you may ask why this article highlighted information from the 1940 census. By law the actual records of the census, the information gathered directly from people by surveys and census takers, cannot be released until 72 years after that census. This means that the 1940 census is the most recent one where you can look more than just the numbers, but also see the actual pages and entries for individuals and families. What also makes this census unique is that you do not need to go to a National Archives Office to find a family member or learn more information about an ancestor and where they lived. Digital copies of the 1940 census are available on line at https://1940census.archives.gov/search/. The enumeration district for Califon is 10-4.

 So if you are interested, take a look back at the census records to research your family and Califon’s past. But don’t let that be the only thing that you do to mark our centennial. A lot of things are happening that could shape the future of Califon, such as local discussions about our school and the state looking at the cost and structure of local governments. If you can, become involved in these and other issues. On the lighter side, be sure to participate in the celebration activities that are coming in October.

Last modified: September 4, 2018