1820 United States census

The 1820 United States census was the fourth census conducted in the United States. It was conducted on August 7, 1820. The 1820 census included six new states: Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama and Maine. There has been a district wide loss of 1820 census records for Arkansas Territory, Missouri Territory, and New Jersey.

The total population was determined to be 9,638,453, of which 1,538,022 were slaves. The center of population was about 120 miles (193 km) west-northwest of Washington in Hardy County, Virginia (now in West Virginia).

This was the first census in which any states recorded a population of over one million—New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania—as well as the first in which a city recorded a population of over 100,000—New York. Also, in this census and the 14 subsequent ones, New York was the most populous state until being superseded by California in the 1970 census.

Census questions

The 1820 census contains a great deal more information than previous censuses. Enumerators listed the following data in columns, left to right:

Name of the head of family

of free white males under age 10

of free white males age 10 to under 16

of free white males age 16 to 18

of free white males age 16 to under 26

of free white males age 26 to under 45

of free white males age 45 and up

of free white females under age 10

of free white females age 10 to under 16

of free white females age 16 to under 26

of free white females age 26 to under 45

of free white females age 45 and up

of foreigners not naturalized

of persons engaged in agriculture

of persons engaged in commerce

of persons engaged in manufacture

of male slaves under 14

of male slaves age 14 to under 26

of male slaves age 26 to under 45

of male slaves age 45 and up

of female slaves under 14

of female slaves age 14 to under 26

of female slaves age 26 to under 45

of female slaves age 45 and up

of free male colored persons under 14

of free male colored persons age 14 to under 26

of free male colored persons age 26 to under 45

of free male colored persons age 45 and up

of free female colored persons under 14

of free female colored persons age 14 to under 26

of free female colored persons age 26 to under 45

of free female colored persons age 45 and up

of all other persons except Indians not taxed

Several of these columns were for special counts, and not to be included in the aggregate total.