We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

World War II: Home Front Statistics

World War II: Home Front Statistics

By the Numbers

War Supplies Built by American Workers Between 1941 and 1945

U.S. Military Bomber Aircraft: 49,123
Fighter Aircraft: 63,933
Cargo Aircraft: 14,710
Total U.S. Military Aircraft: 127,7661

Ships produced by U.S. Maritime shipyards between 1939 and 1945: 5,7772

American Unemployment Rate

1940: 14.6%
1941: 9.9%
1942: 4.7%
1943: 1.9%
1944: 1.2%
1945: 1.9%3

Number of Unionized Working People

1941: 10.5 million
1945: 14.75 million

Percent of the total non-agricultural workforce unionized in 1945: 35.5%, a record high4

Perecent Growth of Population Between 1940 and 1945

In California: 35.7%
In Washington: 35.3%
In Oregon: 18.2%
In total on the West Coast: 33.7%5

African-American Migration

Estimated number of African-Americans who moved out of the South in 1943: 700,000

Estimated number of African-Americans who moved to Los Angeles, California in 1943: 120,0006