For U.S. history 1800-1830, what was GDP by sector and industry?

Question

The U.S. Census Bureau's Historical Statistics of the United States does not appear to break GDP down. I'm aware that the terminology is imprecise: 1. GDP is a modern term, but is _much shorter_ than the contemporary understanding, "What was the total value of goods and services produced by sector?" 1. "Industry" is also an imprecise term, but is _much clearer_ than "what was the total value of goods and services produced in agriculture, craft, finance, and other sectors including nascent industrial activity".

Answer 1

During the early 1800s (1800-1830), the United States was primarily an agrarian economy, with most economic activity centered around agriculture. Industrialization and diversification of the economy were still in their early stages during this period. While comprehensive GDP data by sector and industry for this specific time frame may not be readily available, I can provide some general information about the economy during this period:

Agriculture - the dominant sector of the economy. Most of the population lived in rural areas and engaged in farming as their primary occupation. Major crops included cotton, tobacco, corn, and wheat. Cotton production, fueled by the demand for raw materials by textile mills in the Northern states and Britain, saw significant growth during this period.

Manufacturing - Although manufacturing was growing, it was still a relatively small sector compared to agriculture. Textile mills, especially in New England, were among the prominent industries of the time. Other industries included ironworks, shipbuilding, and some small-scale manufacturing.

Trade and Commerce - As the country expanded westward, trade and commerce also grew. The Mississippi River and other waterways facilitated the movement of goods and people, contributing to economic development. Ports like New Orleans and New York were important centers of trade.

Services and Trade - The service sector, including professions like law, medicine, and retail trade, was present but not as dominant as in later periods.