1990 United States Census facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twenty-first Censusof the United States |
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U.S. Census Bureau Seal
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| General Information | |
| Date Taken | April 1, 1990 |
| Total U.S. Population | 248,709,873 |
| Percent Change |  9.8% |
| Most Populous State | California 29,760,000 |
| Least Populous State | Wyoming 454,000 |
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The Twenty-first 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 helps the government understand how many people live in different areas.
The 1990 Census found that the total population of the United States was 248,709,873 people. This was a 9.8 percent increase from the last census in 1980. Counting everyone helps decide things like how many representatives each state gets in Congress. It also helps plan for schools, hospitals, and roads.
Contents
The 1990 US Census
What is a Census?
A census is an official count of a population. In the United States, a census happens every ten years. It counts everyone living in the country, no matter their age or citizenship.
The main goal of the census is to figure out how many people live in each state. This information is used to decide how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives. It also helps the government share money fairly for public services.
Key Facts from 1990
The 1990 Census officially took place on April 1, 1990. It showed that the U.S. population had grown quite a bit since 1980. This growth meant more people were living and working across the country.
California was the state with the most people, having nearly 30 million residents. Wyoming was the least populated state, with about 454,000 people. These numbers show how different states can be in size.
What Questions Were Asked?
Most households received a short form with basic questions. However, about 16 percent of homes got a "long form" of the 1990 census. This long form had over 100 questions. It asked about things like education, jobs, and housing.
The 1990 Census was special because it was the first time "Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander" was a separate racial group. Before this, these groups were often counted with Asians. This change helped to better understand the diversity of the U.S. population.
Images for kids
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A map showing the population change of each US State by percentage.
See also
In Spanish: Censo de los Estados Unidos de 1990 para niños
