The Growth of The United States Since The Census Began

The United States Census first began in 1790 and has been taken every 10 years since for 220 years worth of population data. This data is chock full of crucial information about out society and how it has changed over time. As our country developed and people began to move more west for land and new opportunities, the census was used as a way for the U.S. government to learn more about it’s people and their wants and needs.

The census has been continually changing over the past 220 years, with new questions and information being sought with every passing decade. The very first census that was held in 1790 sought to find population numbers by counties, and also categorised white American males by age (over or under 16). As the census went on over the years new criteria was being added. This criteria was meant to understand the needs of the people better. Some information that was collected over the years included economic data, social statistics, as well as mortality data. Halfway through the 20th century it stared asking about veteran status, migration, and number of children. Other topics have included race, education, health, crime, housing, etc. Lawmakers are currently in debate about collecting even more info during the next census in 2020, specifically a question on citizenship.

The top ten most populous cities during each census is a great indicator of the migration across America, and when the population in the west began to grow substantially. When the census began in 1790 the top ten most populous cities were:

1. New York, New York (33,131)
2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (28,522)
3. Boston, Massachusetts (18,320)
4. Charleston, South Carolina (16,359)
5. Baltimore, Maryland (13,503)
6. Northern Liberties Township, Pennsylvania (9,913)
7. Salem, Massachusetts (7,921)
8. Newport, Rhode Island (6,716)
9. Providence, Rhode Island (6,380)
10. Marblehead, Rhode Island (5,661)

Unsurprisingly, all of the top ten cities are located on the east coast. You’ll see many of these cities begin to drop off the list over the next 100 years and more western cities will begin showing up. Below are the top ten most populous cities during the last census taken, in 2010. You’ll see it is a MUCH different list than what’s above.

1. New York, New York (8,175,133)
2. Los Angeles, California (3,792,621)
3. Chicago, Illinois (2,695,598)
4. Houston, Texas (2,099,451)
5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1,526,006)
6. Phoenix, Arizona (1,445,632)
7. San Antonio, Texas (1,327,407)
8. San Diego, California (1,307,402)
9. Dallas, Texas (1,197,816)
10. San Jose, California (945,942)

It’s no surprise to see that New York City has sat at the top of the list for the past 220 years. It has, and always will be, one of the busiest (and most sought-after) cities in our nation. It’s population has increased a whopping 24,675% from 33,131 to 8,175,133 residents! Would it surprise you to learn that NYC’s current population size is even bigger than that of the entire nation’s in 1790!? It is more than double that of the initial U.S. population of 3,929,214!

Below is a graph of the top ten most populous cities over the past 220 years, which can also be found here along with more information.