Censuses are not conducted in a vacuum. They occur amidst internal and external crisis, shifts in cultural interests, and events that become "defining moments" for each generation. Census data reflect the growth of the population as well as the changing values and interests of the American people.
Fast Facts provides a portrait of the United States both statistically and culturally. In addition to census-related statistics, the innovations, events, and icons of each decade are highlighted. Each page illustrates the thought and culture of the population counted during each decade's census.
151,325,798 | U.S. Resident Population |
42.6 |
Population per square mile of land area |
14.5 |
Percent increase of population from 1940 to 1950 |
48 |
Number of States |
Rank |
Place |
Population |
---|---|---|
1 |
New York City, NY | 7,891,957 |
2 |
Chicago, IL | 3,620,962 |
3 |
Philadelphia, PA | 2,071,605 |
4 |
Los Angeles, CA | 1,970,358 |
5 |
Detroit, MI | 1,849,568 |
6 |
Baltimore, MD | 949,708 |
7 |
Cleveland, OH | 914,808 |
8 |
St. Louis, MO | 856,796 |
9 |
Washington, DC | 802,178 |
10 |
Boston, MA | 801,444 |
Cost | $91,462,000 |
Cost per Capita (cents) | 60.4 |
Total Pages in Published Reports | 61,700 |
Number of Enumerators | 142,962 |
Census Bureau Director | Roy Victor Peel |
Number of Questions on the Questionnaire | N/A |
Number of Questions on the Long Form | N/A |