1950 United States Census facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seventeenth Censusof the United States |
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U.S. Census Bureau Seal
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| General Information | |
| Date Taken | April 1, 1950 |
| Total U.S. Population | 150,697,361 |
| Percent Change |  14.5% |
| Most Populous State | New York 14,830,192 |
| Least Populous State | Nevada 162,000 |
The Seventeenth United States Census was a big count of all the people living in the United States. It was done by the Census Bureau on April 1, 1950. This important count found that 150,697,361 people lived in the U.S. This was a 14.5 percent increase from the 1940 Census.
Contents
What Is a Census?
A census is like a giant survey that counts everyone in a country. The U.S. government does a census every ten years. It's super important because it helps leaders understand how many people live where. This information helps decide things like how many representatives each state gets in Congress. It also helps plan for schools, hospitals, and roads.
The 1950 Census: A Look Back
The 1950 Census was the 17th time the U.S. had counted its population. It happened just after World War II ended. This was a time when many soldiers were coming home. Families were growing, and the country was changing fast.
Why Was This Census Important?
The 1950 Census showed a big jump in population. This was partly because of the "Baby Boom." Many babies were born after the war. The census helped the government see how much the country was growing. It also showed where people were moving. More people were moving to cities and suburbs.
What Did They Ask?
Census workers went door-to-door to collect information. They asked questions about:
- How many people lived in each home.
- Their ages and genders.
- Where they were born.
- Their jobs and how much money they earned.
- If they owned their home.
This information helped paint a picture of American life in 1950.
Key Findings of the 1950 Census
The census found that the U.S. population had grown by over 19 million people since 1940. This was a huge increase!
Most and Least Populous States
- New York was still the state with the most people, with over 14.8 million residents.
- Nevada was the state with the fewest people, with about 162,000 residents.
Population Shifts
The census also showed that many people were moving from farms to cities. Also, states in the South and West were growing faster than states in other parts of the country. This trend continued for many years.
Images for kids
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A map showing the population change of each US State by percentage.
