kids encyclopedia robot

1960 United States Census facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Eighteenth Census
of the United States
Seal of the United States Census Bureau.svg
U.S. Census Bureau Seal
General Information
Date Taken April 1, 1960
Total U.S. Population 179,323,175
Percent Change Increase 18.5%
Most Populous State New York
16,827,000
Least Populous State Alaska
228,000

The Eighteenth United States Census was a big count of all the people living in the United States. It was done by the Census Bureau. This important count happened on April 1, 1960.

The census found that 179,323,175 people lived in the U.S. This was a big jump! It showed an 18.5 percent increase from the 1950 Census.


What is a Census?

A census is like a giant headcount of everyone in a country. Governments do a census to find out how many people live in different areas. They also learn about things like age, where people live, and how families are set up.

This information is super important. It helps leaders make good decisions for the country. For example, they use it to plan schools, hospitals, and roads.

The 1960 Census: Key Facts

The 1960 Census showed how much the U.S. population had grown. It was a big increase in just ten years. This growth meant more people were living and working across the country.

Here are some interesting facts from the 1960 count:

  • The total number of people was 179,323,175.
  • This was 18.5% more people than in 1950.
  • New York was the state with the most people. About 16.8 million people lived there.
  • Alaska was the state with the fewest people. Only about 228,000 people lived there.

Why is a Census Important?

Counting everyone helps the government in many ways. It makes sure that each state has the right number of representatives in Congress. This means every state gets a fair say in how the country is run.

The census also helps decide where to build new schools or hospitals. It shows where more services are needed. It's a way to understand how communities are changing and growing.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Censo de los Estados Unidos de 1960 para niños

kids search engine
1960 United States Census Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.