Based on mining company records, it appears that the Onionville miners made better wages than average non-mine workers in Henderson County. This placed the residents who lived in this community in the middle-class.
Sixty miners were employed in 1922. Their houses were simple wooden shotgun houses (a straight line of rooms, one behind the other). Each home had its own privy. The demand for housing was so great, the mining company set up a temporary tent camp community at Onionville.
Archaeological research indicated that many of the Onionville house sites were too disturbed by previous bulldozing, lumbering, and flooding to warrant further investigation.
However, the comminity's two dump sites were intact. Excavation units placed in these areas produced a good sample of items the residents would have used in their daily lives. These included ceramics and glass tableware, bottles, toys and clothing parts, and architectural hardware.
Glass vessels were found in higher numbers than ceramic vessels. During the period this community flourished, glass vessels were possibly replacing ceramic ones with respect to food storage and dining. Ceramics from Onionville were mostly moderately priced plain and decal-printed wares.