1900 United States Census facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twelfth Censusof the United States |
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U.S. Department of the Interior seal
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Population Schedule
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| General information | |
| Country | United States |
| Date taken | June 1, 1900 |
| Total population | 76,212,168 |
| Percent change |  21.0% |
| Most populous state | New York 7,268,894 |
The Twelfth United States Census was a big count of all the people living in the United States. It was done by the Census Office on June 1, 1900. This important survey found that 76,212,168 people lived in the U.S. at that time. This number showed a big jump, about 21.0 percent more people, since the last count in 1890.
Contents
What is a Census?
A census is like a giant survey that counts everyone in a country. It happens every ten years in the United States. The main goal is to find out how many people live in each area. This helps the government make important decisions.
Why is a Census Important?
Counting people helps the government in many ways. It helps decide how many representatives each state gets in Congress. It also helps plan for schools, hospitals, and roads. Knowing where people live helps make sure everyone gets the services they need.
How the 1900 Census Worked
For the 1900 census, people called "enumerators" went door-to-door. They asked families many questions. These questions helped gather details about each person. This included their age, where they were born, and what they did for work.
What Information Was Collected?
The 1900 census collected lots of interesting facts. It asked about:
- Each person's name and address.
- Their relationship to the head of the family.
- Their race and gender.
- Their birth date and age.
- Their marital status (married, single, etc.).
- Where they were born.
- Where their parents were born.
- Their job or occupation.
- If they could read and write.
- If they owned their home.
This information helped create a detailed picture of the American population.
Key Findings of the 1900 Census
The 1900 census showed a growing and changing America. The total population was over 76 million people. This was a big increase from the previous census.
Population Growth and Movement
The census showed that many people were moving. Some moved from farms to cities. Others moved from one part of the country to another. This movement changed how cities grew.
Most and Least Populous States
New York was the state with the most people. It had over 7 million residents. This made it a very important state. On the other hand, Nevada was the least populated state. It had just over 42,000 people. These numbers show how different states were in size.
Impact of the 1900 Census
The results of the 1900 census were very important. They helped shape government plans for the next ten years.
Planning for the Future
The census data helped leaders understand what the country needed. For example, if an area had many children, more schools might be built. If a city was growing fast, new roads might be planned.
Historical Records
Today, the 1900 census records are very valuable. They help historians and families learn about the past. People can look up their ancestors and find out where they lived. They can also see what jobs people had long ago.
