Who Conducted the First Census in 1790?

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America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers

Article One in the U.S. Constitution

Who Conducted the First Census in 1790?

Carrying out the census in 1790 was difficult in a new country with little infrastructure and a widely scattered population.

Despite the difficulties and challenges the U.S. marshals faced, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson put the first data tables in an official government document on Oct. 24, 1791, and issued the final report in 1793, after South Carolina’s count was completed: The United States had a population of 3,929,214.

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The first official population count was a testament to the determination, intelligence and patriotism of the first U.S. marshals and their deputies.

To learn about the 16 U.S. marshals and one territorial governor who conducted the first U.S. census, continue reading ...

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About America Counts

America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness, and population. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.