1800 United States Census facts for kids

The United States Census of 1800 was the second official count of people living in the United States. It happened on August 4, 1800. This census helped the young country understand how many people lived there and where they were. It was important for making decisions about government and representation.

What the Census Found

The 1800 Census counted a total of 5,308,483 people in the United States. This number included 893,602 people who were enslaved. The census also included the new District of Columbia for the first time.

Missing Information

Unfortunately, some of the records from this census were lost over time. The census information for the states of Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia is no longer available. This means we don't have a complete picture of the population in those areas for 1800.

Why Censuses Are Important

Censuses are a way for a country to count its population. This count helps the government in many ways:

• Representation: The number of people in each state helps decide how many representatives that state gets in the House of Representatives. More people usually means more representatives.
• Planning: Knowing how many people live in different areas helps the government plan for things like schools, roads, and hospitals.
• Understanding Growth: Censuses show how a country's population is growing and changing over time.

How Censuses Work

In the early days of the United States, census takers would travel from house to house. They would ask questions about the people living there. This included how many people were in the household, their age, and other details. It was a big job, especially with travel being much harder than it is today.

The Role of the Census in History

The 1800 Census happened during an important time in American history. The country was still very new, and its leaders were trying to build a strong government. Counting the population was a key part of setting up the government's structure and making sure everyone was fairly represented.

See also

• In Spanish: Censo de los Estados Unidos de 1800 para niños