1870 United States Census facts for kids

The United States Census of 1870 was the ninth time the United States counted all its people. This important count was done by the Census Bureau in June 1870. It was the first census to collect detailed information about the Black population after the American Civil War. The total number of people counted was 38,555,983. This was a 22.62% increase in population since the previous census in 1860.

What is a Census?

A census is like a giant headcount of everyone living in a country. Governments do a census to find out how many people there are, where they live, and other important facts about them. This information helps the government make decisions. For example, it helps them decide where to build schools, hospitals, or roads. It also helps them understand how the population is changing over time.

Why Do We Have a Census?

In the United States, the Constitution requires a census every ten years. This is mainly to decide how many representatives each state gets in the House of Representatives. More people in a state usually means more representatives. The census also helps distribute government money fairly to different states and communities.

The 1870 Census: A Special Count

The 1870 Census was very important because it happened after the American Civil War (1861-1865). This war ended slavery in the United States. For the first time, the census collected detailed information about the Black population. Before this, enslaved people were counted differently, and their information was not as detailed. This census helped show the changes in American society after the war.

Counting a Growing Nation

The United States was growing quickly in 1870. Many people were moving west, and new states were joining the country. The census had to count people in all parts of the country, from big cities to small towns and new settlements. It was a huge job to make sure everyone was counted accurately.

How the Census Was Done

Census takers, also called enumerators, went from house to house to collect information. They asked questions about each person in the household. These questions included names, ages, birthplaces, jobs, and whether they could read or write. For the 1870 Census, they also asked specific questions about the Black population to understand their new status as free citizens.

Challenges of the 1870 Census

Counting everyone was not easy. Travel was slower, and some areas were hard to reach. There were also challenges in accurately counting people who had recently been freed from slavery. Despite these difficulties, the 1870 Census provided valuable information about the United States during a time of great change.

What We Learned from the 1870 Census

The 1870 Census showed that the United States population was growing rapidly. It also provided a clearer picture of the Black population, including their numbers and where they lived. This data helped leaders understand the social and economic conditions of the country after the Civil War and during the period known as Reconstruction.

See also

In Spanish: Censo de los Estados Unidos de 1870 para niños