How America Has Changed Since the First Census in 1790
1790: 17.8% of the American population is enslaved
- U.S. resident population: 3,929,214
- Number of official states: 13
- Median age of population: Not available for this year
- Immigrants obtaining legal resident status: Not available for this year
- Biggest cities: New York, NY (Population: 33,131), Philadelphia, PA (28,522), Boston, MA (18,320)
The first U.S. census included data on 16 recognized states (although Vermont wasn’t included until 1791 after becoming recognized as a state) and features the highest proportion of enslaved people to free of any census. By law, every household in the United States was to be visited, their information recorded, and the data posted in a public place.