A Statistical Analysis of the 1810 Census and Church Demographics in Bucharest

Cercetări Arheologice 32.2, 2025, 711-720
https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.32.2.18



A Statistical Analysis of the 1810 Census and Church Demographics in Bucharest

Analyse statistique du recensement de 1810 et des données démographiques religieuses à Bucarest

Authors: Ioana Manea

Keywords:

Statistical analysis, correlation, 16th-19th century, Bucharest, church.

Analyse statistique, corrélation, XVIe–XIXe siècle, Bucarest, église.

Abstract:

This study explores the application of modern statistical methods to historical datasets, using the R program to analyze information about churches: their founding dates, founders, number of priests and deacons, as well as the number of houses and population per neighborhood. Descriptive analysis revealed periods of particularly intense church construction (mainly in the 18th century) and an almost balanced population distribution (50.5% men, 49.5% women), with an average of 2.9 priests per church. A linear regression examined the factors influencing the number of priests, showing a moderate correlation with the number of houses (0.513) and the total population (0.411). The historical context of Wallachia, marked by instability under Ottoman influence, shaped parish organization. Data were drawn from the 1810 Bucharest census, the National Archaeological Repertory, and the Bucharest Urban Plan, identifying 121 churches dating from the 16th to the 19th century. The limitations of the study include the absence of demographic data for 37 churches. The results suggest that community size and period of foundation are key predictors of the number of priests, reflecting the church’s adaptation to the demographic needs and urbanization of Bucharest.

Cette étude explore l’application des méthodes statistiques modernes à des ensembles de données historiques, en utilisant le programme R pour analyser des informations concernant les églises : leurs dates de fondation, fondateurs, nombre de prêtres et de diacres, ainsi que le nombre de maisons et la population par quartier. L’analyse descriptive a révélé des périodes de construction d’églises particulièrement intenses (principalement au XVIIIe siècle) et une répartition de la population presque équilibrée (50,5 % d’hommes, 49,5 % de femmes), avec une moyenne de 2,9 prêtres par église. Une régression linéaire a examiné les facteurs influençant le nombre de prêtres, montrant une corrélation modérée avec le nombre de maisons (0,513) et la population totale (0,411). Le contexte historique de la Valachie, marqué par l’instabilité sous l’influence ottomane, a façonné l’organisation paroissiale. Les données proviennent du recensement de Bucarest de 1810, du Répertoire Archéologique National et du Plan Urbain de Bucarest, identifiant 121 églises datant du XVIe au XIXe siècle. Les limites de l’étude incluent l’absence de données démographiques pour 37 églises. Les résultats suggèrent que la taille de la communauté et la période de fondation sont des prédicteurs clés du nombre de prêtres, reflétant l’adaptation de l’église aux besoins démographiques et à l’urbanisation de Bucarest.

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How to cite: Ioana Manea, A Statistical Analysis of the 1810 Census and Church Demographics in Bucharest, Cercetări Arheologice, Vol. 32.2, pag. 711-720, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.32.2.18

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