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{{Short description|Ninth US census}}
{{Use American English|date = March 2019}}
{{Use American English|date = March 2019}}
⚫
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Short description|Ninth U.S. national census; first to provide detailed demographic info on African Americans}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = March 2019}}
{{Infobox census
{{Infobox census
| name = 1870 United States census
| name = 1870 United States census
| logo = Seal of the United States Census Bureau.svg
| logo = Old Department of the Interior seal.gif
| logo_caption = Seal of the [[United States Census Bureau]]
| logo_caption = Seal of the [[Department of the Interior]]
| image =
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_caption =
Line 15: Line 15:
| most_populous = [[New York (state)|New York]]<br>4,382,759
| most_populous = [[New York (state)|New York]]<br>4,382,759
| least_populous = [[Nevada]]<br>42,941
| least_populous = [[Nevada]]<br>42,941
| authority = [[United States Census Bureau|Census Office]]
| previous_census = 1860 United States census
| previous_census = 1860 United States census
| previous_year = 1860
| previous_year = 1860
Line 21: Line 22:
| Superintendent = Francis Amasa Walker
| Superintendent = Francis Amasa Walker
}}
}}
The '''United States census of 1870''' was the ninth [[United States census]]. It was conducted by the [[Census Bureau]] from June 1, 1870 to August 23, 1871. The 1870 census was the first [[census]] to provide detailed information on the [[African-American]] population, only five years after the culmination of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] when slaves were granted freedom. The total population was 38,925,598 with a resident population of 38,558,371<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/fast_facts/1870_fast_facts.html|title=1870 Fast Facts – History – U.S. Census Bureau|last=US Census Bureau|first=Census History Staff|website=www.census.gov|language=EN-US|access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref> individuals, a 22.6% increase from 1860. The 1870 census' population estimate was controversial, as many believed it underestimated the true population numbers, especially in [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>Munroe, James Phinney (1923) ''A Life of Francis Amasa Walker'', Holt, p. 111 ''Conditions for the work were therefore so adverse that the new superintendent (Walker), with characteristic frankness, repudiated in many instances the results of the Census, denouncing them as false or misleading and pointing out the plain reasons.'' p. 113 '' When the appointments of enumerators were made in 1870 the entire lot was taken from the Republican party, and most of those in the South were negroes. Some of the negroes could not read or write, and the enumeration of the Southern population was done very badly. My judgement was that the census of 1870 erred as to the colored population between 350,000 and 400,000''</ref>
The '''1870 United States census''' was the ninth [[United States census]]. It was conducted by the [[United States Census Bureau|Census Office]] from June 1, 1870, to August 23, 1871. The 1870 census was the first [[census]] to provide detailed information on the [[African Americans|African American]] population, only five years after the culmination of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] when slaves were granted freedom. The total population was 38,925,598 with a resident population of 38,558,371 individuals, a 22.6% increase from 1860.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/fast_facts/1870_fast_facts.html|title=1870 Fast Facts – History |last=Census History Staff |website=U.S. Census Bureau |language=EN-US|access-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref>


The 1870 census's population estimate was controversial, as many believed it underestimated the true population numbers, especially in [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>Munroe, James Phinney (1923) ''A Life of Francis Amasa Walker'', Holt, p. 111 ''Conditions for the work were therefore so adverse that the new superintendent (Walker), with characteristic frankness, repudiated in many instances the results of the Census, denouncing them as false or misleading and pointing out the plain reasons.'' p. 113 '' When the appointments of enumerators were made in 1870 the entire lot was taken from the Republican party, and most of those in the South were negroes. Some of the negroes could not read or write, and the enumeration of the Southern population was done very badly. My judgement was that the census of 1870 erred as to the colored population between 350,000 and 400,000''</ref> This was the first census in which all 100 largest cities recorded populations of over 10,000. This was also the last federal census conducted using the [[United States Marshals Service|US Marshal Service]] as enumerators.
This was the first census in which all 100 largest cities recorded populations of over 10,000.

This was the last federal census conducted using the [[United States Marshals Service|US Marshal Service]] as enumerators.


== Census Act of 1850 ==
== Census Act of 1850 ==
The [[Census Act of 1850]] established the primary machinery of the ninth census. The Census Bureau, working within the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]], oversaw the recording and tabulation of results gathered by assistant marshals, who were hired and supervised by [[United States Marshals Service|Federal marshals]]. Two new structural changes during the 1870 census occurred: marshals had to return the completed population questionnaire to the [[Census Office]] in September and penalties for refusing to reply to [[Census|enumerator]] questions were extended to encompass every question on the questionnaires.
The Census Act of 1850 established the primary machinery of the ninth census. The Census Office, working within the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]], oversaw the recording and tabulation of results gathered by assistant marshals, who were hired and supervised by [[United States Marshals Service|federal marshals]]. Two new structural changes during the 1870 census occurred: marshals had to return the completed population questionnaire to the Census Office in September, and penalties for refusing to reply to [[Census|enumerator]] questions were extended to encompass every question on the questionnaires.


== Census organization ==
== Census organization ==
Line 35: Line 34:
The general population saw a 22.6% increase to 38,555,983 individuals in 1870. Charges of an undercount, however, were brought against [[Francis Amasa Walker]], the Superintendent of the 1870 census.
The general population saw a 22.6% increase to 38,555,983 individuals in 1870. Charges of an undercount, however, were brought against [[Francis Amasa Walker]], the Superintendent of the 1870 census.


[[Mortality rate]]s in 1870, in general, decreased as a fraction of the total population by <0.1% from 1860 and by 0.1% from 1850. The lower death rates indicate that the standard of living increased, due to some [[exogenous factor]], over the period of twenty years from 1850 to 1870.{{cn|date=February 2020}}
[[Mortality rate]]s in 1870, in general, decreased as a fraction of the total population by <0.1% from 1860 and by 0.1% from 1850. The lower death rates indicate that the [[standard of living]] increased, due to some [[exogenous factor]], over the period of twenty years from 1850 to 1870.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}


In terms of products of industry, total U.S. wealth increased by 17.3% from 1860 to 1870, to reach an assessed wealth of $14,178,986,732. The four largest state contributors to this wealth were New York, [[Massachusetts]], Pennsylvania, and [[Ohio]], in that order. Most of the wealth was concentrated in the developed Northeast region, as newer territories like [[Wyoming]] were beginning to develop their young economies.
In terms of products of industry, total U.S. wealth increased by 17.3% from 1860 to 1870, to reach an assessed wealth of $14,178,986,732. The four largest state contributors to this wealth were New York, [[Massachusetts]], Pennsylvania, and [[Ohio]], in that order. Most of the wealth was concentrated in the developed Northeast region, as newer territories like [[Wyoming]] were beginning to develop their young economies.
Line 80: Line 79:
|386,249
|386,249
|-
|-
|African American population
|Black population
!Total United States
!Total United States
|4,880,009
|4,880,009
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|44,903
|44,903
|-
|-
|Native American population (on reservations)
|Indian (Native American) population (on reservations)
!Total United States
!Total United States
|357,981
|357,981
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|268,024
|268,024
|-
|-
|Native American population (not on reservations)
|Indian (Native American) population (not on reservations)
!Total United States
!Total United States
|25,731
|25,731
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|0
|0
|}
|}
<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/library/publications/1872/dec/1870e.html|title=1870 Census: A Compendium of the Ninth Census (June 1, 1870)|last=Bureau|first=US Census|website=www.census.gov|language=EN-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref>
<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/library/publications/1872/dec/1870e.html|title=1870 Census: A Compendium of the Ninth Census (June 1, 1870)|website=www.census.gov|language=EN-US|access-date=April 29, 2019}}</ref>


<nowiki>*</nowiki>The constitutional population excludes the populations of Native Americans "maintaining their tribal relations and living upon Government reservations" and "[[Alaska Purchase|the newly acquired district of Alaska]]."<ref name="auto"/>
<nowiki>*</nowiki>The constitutional population excludes the populations of Native Americans "maintaining their tribal relations and living upon Government reservations" and "[[Alaska Purchase|the newly acquired]] [[Department of Alaska|district of Alaska]]."<ref name="auto"/>


<nowiki>**</nowiki>When considering [[United States congressional apportionment|congressional apportionment]], the total state population of the Constitutional population was used.
<nowiki>**</nowiki>When considering [[United States congressional apportionment|congressional apportionment]], the total state population of the Constitutional population was used.


== Census questions ==
== Census questions ==
Schedule 1 of the 1870 census collected the following information<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/files/research/genealogy/charts-forms/1870-census.pdf|title=1870 Federal Census Schedule 1 Form|website=National Archives}}</ref>
Schedule 1 of the 1870 census collected the following information:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/files/research/genealogy/charts-forms/1870-census.pdf|title=1870 Federal Census Schedule 1 Form|website=National Archives}}</ref>


# Dwelling-houses numbered in the order of Visitation
# Dwelling-houses numbered in the order of Visitation
#
# Families numbered in the order of visitation
# Families numbered in the order of visitation
# Names
# Names
Line 169: Line 167:
# Deaf & dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict
# Deaf & dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict
# Male Citizens of U.S. of 21 years of age or upwards
# Male Citizens of U.S. of 21 years of age or upwards
# Male Citizens of U.S of 21 years of age and upwards where rights to vote is denied on grounds other than rebellion or other crime**<ref>{{cite web | title=1870 Enumerator Instructions (to Assistant Marshals) | website=IPUMS USA | url=https://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/inst1870.shtml | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>
# Male Citizens of U.S. of 21 years of age and upwards where rights to vote is denied on grounds other than rebellion or other crime**<ref>{{cite web | title=1870 Enumerator Instructions (to Assistant Marshals) | website=IPUMS USA | url=https://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/inst1870.shtml | access-date=August 27, 2019}}</ref>


<nowiki>*</nowiki>If born in another country
<nowiki>*</nowiki>If born in another country
Line 178: Line 176:


== Population undercount ==
== Population undercount ==
{{Refimprove section|date=January 2015}}
{{More citations needed section|date=January 2015}}
Although Francis Walker, the Superintendent of the 1870 census, defended the quality of the census, arguing that standardized, clear, and statistical approaches and practices were carried out across all regions of the United States, the public at the time was disappointed in the national [[Population growth rate|growth rate]] and suspected underenumeration. With especially bitter complaints coming from New York and Philadelphia claiming up to a third of the population was not counted, the President made the rare move to order a [[recount]] in those areas. While it was thought a large fraction of the population was not counted for being indoors in the wintry cold, newer estimates resulted in only a 2.5% increase in Philadelphia's population and a 2% increase in New York's.
Although Francis Walker, the Superintendent of the 1870 census, defended the quality of the census, arguing that standardized, clear, and statistical approaches and practices were carried out across all regions of the United States, the public at the time was disappointed in the national [[Population growth rate|growth rate]] and suspected underenumeration. With especially bitter complaints coming from New York and Philadelphia claiming up to a third of the population was not counted, the President made the rare move to order a [[recount]] in those areas. While it was thought a large fraction of the population was not counted for being indoors in the wintry cold, newer estimates resulted in only a 2.5% increase in Philadelphia's population and a 2% increase in New York's.


This controversy of the 1870 undercount resurfaced in 1890, when the national growth rate between 1880 and 1890 was discovered to be much lower than it was between 1870 and 1880. Critics then asserted that the 1870 population must have been underenumerated by over 1.2 million people to account for the [[wikt:discrepancy|discrepancy]] between growth rates; it was presumed that the growth rate in 1880 had to be exaggerated because of the 1870 undercount. Despite the fact that modern investigations have yet to quantify the exact effect of the undercount, most modern [[social scientist]]s do not believe the undercount was as severe as 1890 investigators assumed. Today most analyzers compare the 1870 undercount to the [[non-response rate]]s seen in most modern census data.
This controversy of the 1870 undercount resurfaced in 1890, when the national growth rate between 1880 and 1890 was discovered to be much lower than it was between 1870 and 1880. Critics then asserted that the 1870 population must have been underenumerated by over 1.2 million people to account for the [[wikt:discrepancy|discrepancy]] between growth rates; it was presumed that the growth rate in 1880 had to be exaggerated because of the 1870 undercount. Despite the fact that modern investigations have yet to quantify the exact effect of the undercount, most modern [[social scientist]]s do not believe the undercount was as severe as 1890 investigators assumed. Today most analyzers compare the 1870 undercount to the non-response rates seen in most modern census data.


== State and territory populations ==
== State rankings ==


{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! Rank !! State !! Population
! Rank !! State/Territory !! Population
|-
|-
| 01 || New York || 4,382,759
| 01 || New York || 4,382,759
Line 254: Line 252:
| 33 || Florida || 187,748
| 33 || Florida || 187,748
|-
|-
| X || District of Columbia <ref>The District of Columbia is not a state but was created with the passage of the [[Residence Act]] of 1790.</ref> || 131,700
| X || District of Columbia<ref group=note>The District of Columbia is not a state but was created with the passage of the [[Residence Act]] of 1790.</ref> || 131,700
|-
|-
| 34 || Delaware || 125,015
| 34 || Delaware || 125,015
Line 266: Line 264:
| X || Utah || 86,336
| X || Utah || 86,336
|-
|-
| 37 || Nevada || 42,941<ref group=note>Includes a population of 450 for Rio Virgin County, which was located in Nevada but enumerated as part of Utah in the 1870 census.</ref>
| 37 || Nevada || 42,491
|-
|-
| X || Colorado || 39,864
| X || Colorado || 39,864
Line 285: Line 283:
|}
|}


===Notes===
== Town populations (sorted by population) ==
{{reflist|group=note}}
⚫
{| class="Wikipedia sortable mw-collapsible"

⚫
! Rank !! City !! State !! Population<ref name="Census 1870">{{citation |title=Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990 |year=1998 |url=https://www.census.gov/library/working-papers/1998/demo/POP-twps0027.html |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau }}</ref> !! [[List of regions of the United States#Census Bureau-designated regions and divisions|Region (2016)]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/econ/census/help/geography/regions_and_divisions.html |title=Regions and Divisions |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=September 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203020637/http://www.census.gov/econ/census/help/geography/regions_and_divisions.html |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
== City rankings ==
⚫
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
⚫
! Rank !! City !! State !! Population<ref name="Census 1870">{{citation |title=Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990 |year=1998 |url=https://www.census.gov/library/working-papers/1998/demo/POP-twps0027.html |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau }}</ref> !! [[List of regions of the United States#Census Bureau-designated regions and divisions|Region (2016)]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/econ/census/help/geography/regions_and_divisions.html |title=Regions and Divisions |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=September 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203020637/http://www.census.gov/econ/census/help/geography/regions_and_divisions.html |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
| 01 || [[New York City|New York]] || [[New York (state)|New York]] || 942,292 || [[Northeastern United States (U.S. Census Bureau)|Northeast]]
| 01 || [[New York City|New York]] || [[New York (state)|New York]] || 942,292 || [[Northeastern United States (U.S. Census Bureau)|Northeast]]
Line 387: Line 388:
| 49 || [[Lynn, Massachusetts|Lynn]] || [[Massachusetts]] || 28,233 || [[Northeastern United States (U.S. Census Bureau)|Northeast]]
| 49 || [[Lynn, Massachusetts|Lynn]] || [[Massachusetts]] || 28,233 || [[Northeastern United States (U.S. Census Bureau)|Northeast]]
|-
|-
| 50 || [[Fall River]] || [[Massachusetts]] || 26,766 || [[Northeastern United States (U.S. Census Bureau)|Northeast]]
| 50 || [[Fall River, Massachusetts|Fall River]] || [[Massachusetts]] || 26,766 || [[Northeastern United States (U.S. Census Bureau)|Northeast]]
|-
|-
| 51 || [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]] || [[Massachusetts]] || 26,703 || [[Northeastern United States (U.S. Census Bureau)|Northeast]]
| 51 || [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]] || [[Massachusetts]] || 26,703 || [[Northeastern United States (U.S. Census Bureau)|Northeast]]
Line 493: Line 494:
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Commons category|1870 United States Census}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{cite journal | last=Hacker | first=J. David | last2=Ruggles | first2=Steven | last3=Foroughi | first3=Andrea R. | last4=Jarvis | first4=Brad D. | last5=Sargent | first5=Walter L. | title=Public Use Microdata Samples of the 1860 and 1870 U.S. Censuses of Population | url=https://usa.ipums.org/usa/volii/4_1860-70rev.shtml| journal=Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History | publisher=Informa UK Limited | volume=32 | issue=3 | year=1999 | issn=0161-5440 | doi=10.1080/01615449909598933 | pages=125–133}}
* {{cite journal | last=Hacker | first=J. David | last2=Ruggles | first2=Steven | last3=Foroughi | first3=Andrea R. | last4=Jarvis | first4=Brad D. | last5=Sargent | first5=Walter L. | title=Public Use Microdata Samples of the 1860 and 1870 U.S. Censuses of Population | url=https://usa.ipums.org/usa/volii/4_1860-70rev.shtml| journal=Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History | publisher=Informa UK Limited | volume=32 | issue=3 | year=1999 | issn=0161-5440 | doi=10.1080/01615449909598933 | pages=125–133}}
* {{cite web | title=Census of Population and Housing – Publications | website=U.S. Census Bureau | url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html | access-date=2019-08-27}}
* {{cite web | title=Census of Population and Housing – Publications | website=U.S. Census Bureau | url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html | access-date=August 27, 2019}}
* {{cite web | title=Tech Paper 29: Table 19. Nativity of the Population for the 50 Largest Urban Places: 1870 to 1990 | website=Census.gov | date=2011 | url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0029/tab19.html | access-date=2019-08-27|first1=Campbell |last1=Gibson |first2=Emily |last2=Lennon}}
* {{cite web | title=Tech Paper 29: Table 19. Nativity of the Population for the 50 Largest Urban Places: 1870 to 1990 | website=Census.gov | date=2011 | url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0029/tab19.html | access-date=August 27, 2019|first1=Campbell |last1=Gibson |first2=Emily |last2=Lennon}}
* {{cite web | title=1871 U.S Census Report | website=U.S. Census Bureau | url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/statcomp/documents/1871-02.pdf|postscript=: Contains 1870 Census results}} {{dead link|date=February 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite web | title=1871 U.S Census Report | website=U.S. Census Bureau | url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/statcomp/documents/1871-02.pdf}} Contains 1870 Census results.{{dead link|date=February 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite book | last=Douglas | first=Marilyn | last2=Yates | first2=Melinda | title=New York state census records, 1790–1925 : bibliography bulletin 88 | publisher=New York State Library | year=1981 | oclc=866298008 }}
* {{cite book | last=Douglas | first=Marilyn | last2=Yates | first2=Melinda | title=New York state census records, 1790–1925 : bibliography bulletin 88 | publisher=New York State Library | year=1981 | oclc=866298008 }}


==External links==
⚫
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
* [https://guides.loc.gov/census-connections/decennial-census/1840-1880#s-lib-ctab-22509999-3 Library of Congress research guide for 1870 census] - links to primary documents


{{USCensus}}
{{USCensus}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1870 in the United States|United States Census, 1870]]
[[Category:1870 in the United States|United States Census, 1870]]
[[Category:United States census]]
[[Category:United States census]]

Latest revision as of 05:27, 17 December 2024

1870 United States census
← 1860 June 1, 1870 (1870-06-01) 1880 →
Seal of the Department of the Interior
General information
CountryUnited States
AuthorityCensus Office
Results
Total population38,925,598 (Increase 22.6%)
Most populous stateNew York
4,382,759
Least populous stateNevada
42,941

The 1870 United States census was the ninth United States census. It was conducted by the Census Office from June 1, 1870, to August 23, 1871. The 1870 census was the first census to provide detailed information on the African American population, only five years after the culmination of the Civil War when slaves were granted freedom. The total population was 38,925,598 with a resident population of 38,558,371 individuals, a 22.6% increase from 1860.[1]

The 1870 census's population estimate was controversial, as many believed it underestimated the true population numbers, especially in New York and Pennsylvania.[2] This was the first census in which all 100 largest cities recorded populations of over 10,000. This was also the last federal census conducted using the US Marshal Service as enumerators.

Census Act of 1850

[edit]

The Census Act of 1850 established the primary machinery of the ninth census. The Census Office, working within the Department of the Interior, oversaw the recording and tabulation of results gathered by assistant marshals, who were hired and supervised by federal marshals. Two new structural changes during the 1870 census occurred: marshals had to return the completed population questionnaire to the Census Office in September, and penalties for refusing to reply to enumerator questions were extended to encompass every question on the questionnaires.

Census organization

[edit]

The commonly past-used slave questionnaires were redesigned to reflect the American society after the Civil War. The five schedules for the 1870 census were the following: General Population, Mortality, Agriculture, Products of Industry, and Social Statistics.

The general population saw a 22.6% increase to 38,555,983 individuals in 1870. Charges of an undercount, however, were brought against Francis Amasa Walker, the Superintendent of the 1870 census.

Mortality rates in 1870, in general, decreased as a fraction of the total population by <0.1% from 1860 and by 0.1% from 1850. The lower death rates indicate that the standard of living increased, due to some exogenous factor, over the period of twenty years from 1850 to 1870.[citation needed]

In terms of products of industry, total U.S. wealth increased by 17.3% from 1860 to 1870, to reach an assessed wealth of $14,178,986,732. The four largest state contributors to this wealth were New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, in that order. Most of the wealth was concentrated in the developed Northeast region, as newer territories like Wyoming were beginning to develop their young economies.

The 1870 census was the first of its kind to record the nativity of the American population. This social statistic helped determine which areas were more highly composed of immigrants than native-born Americans. New York City had the most foreign-born individuals, with 419,094 foreigners, who comprised 44.5% of the city's total population. Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, and San Francisco also had a great population of foreigners that made up a significant fraction of their total populations. Therefore, a great ethnic and cultural change was witnessed from 1860 to 1870, as part of the population growth was due to immigrants moving in and a shuffling of residents across state borders.

Census results

[edit]
Population results of the 1870 census
True population Total United States 38,925,598
States only 38,205,598
Territories 720,000
Constitutional/resident population* Total United States 38,558,371
States only** 38,115,641
Territories 442,730
White population Total United States 33,589,377
States only 33,203,128
Territories 386,249
Black population Total United States 4,880,009
States only 4,835,106
Territories 44,903
Indian (Native American) population (on reservations) Total United States 357,981
States only 89,957
Territories 268,024
Indian (Native American) population (not on reservations) Total United States 25,731
States only 21,228
Territories 4,503
Chinese population Total United States 63,199
States only 56,124
Territories 7,075
Japanese population Total United States 55
States only 55
Territories 0

[3]

*The constitutional population excludes the populations of Native Americans "maintaining their tribal relations and living upon Government reservations" and "the newly acquired district of Alaska."[3]

**When considering congressional apportionment, the total state population of the Constitutional population was used.

Census questions

[edit]

Schedule 1 of the 1870 census collected the following information:[4]

  1. Dwelling-houses numbered in the order of Visitation
  2. Families numbered in the order of visitation
  3. Names
  4. Age
  5. Sex
  6. Color
  7. Profession
  8. Value of Real Estate
  9. Value of Personal Estate
  10. Place of Birth (State, Territory, Country)
  11. Father's Birthplace*
  12. Mother's Birthplace*
  13. If born within the year, state month
  14. If married within the year, state month
  15. Attended School within the Year (Y/N)
  16. Cannot Read (Y/N)
  17. Cannot Write (Y/N)
  18. Deaf & dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict
  19. Male Citizens of U.S. of 21 years of age or upwards
  20. Male Citizens of U.S. of 21 years of age and upwards where rights to vote is denied on grounds other than rebellion or other crime**[5]

*If born in another country

**This question asked if one's right to vote is being denied due to a legal matter other than rebellion or conviction. Such circumstances included being unable to pay poll taxes, or being unable to pass a literacy test.

Full documentation for the 1870 population census, including census forms and enumerator instructions, is available from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series.

Population undercount

[edit]

Although Francis Walker, the Superintendent of the 1870 census, defended the quality of the census, arguing that standardized, clear, and statistical approaches and practices were carried out across all regions of the United States, the public at the time was disappointed in the national growth rate and suspected underenumeration. With especially bitter complaints coming from New York and Philadelphia claiming up to a third of the population was not counted, the President made the rare move to order a recount in those areas. While it was thought a large fraction of the population was not counted for being indoors in the wintry cold, newer estimates resulted in only a 2.5% increase in Philadelphia's population and a 2% increase in New York's.

This controversy of the 1870 undercount resurfaced in 1890, when the national growth rate between 1880 and 1890 was discovered to be much lower than it was between 1870 and 1880. Critics then asserted that the 1870 population must have been underenumerated by over 1.2 million people to account for the discrepancy between growth rates; it was presumed that the growth rate in 1880 had to be exaggerated because of the 1870 undercount. Despite the fact that modern investigations have yet to quantify the exact effect of the undercount, most modern social scientists do not believe the undercount was as severe as 1890 investigators assumed. Today most analyzers compare the 1870 undercount to the non-response rates seen in most modern census data.

State rankings

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Rank State/Territory Population
01 New York 4,382,759
02 Pennsylvania 3,521,951
03 Ohio 2,665,260
04 Illinois 2,539,891
05 Missouri 1,721,295
06 Indiana 1,680,637
07 Massachusetts 1,457,351
08 Kentucky 1,321,011
09 Tennessee 1,258,520
10 Virginia 1,225,163
11 Iowa 1,194,020
12 Georgia 1,184,109
13 Michigan 1,184,059
14 North Carolina 1,071,361
15 Wisconsin 1,054,670
16 Alabama 996,992
17 New Jersey 906,096
18 Mississippi 827,922
19 Texas 818,579
20 Maryland 780,894
21 Louisiana 726,915
22 South Carolina 705,606
23 Maine 626,915
24 California 560,247
25 Connecticut 537,454
26 Arkansas 484,471
27 West Virginia 442,014
28 Minnesota 439,706
29 Kansas 364,399
30 Vermont 330,551
31 New Hampshire 318,300
32 Rhode Island 217,353
33 Florida 187,748
X District of Columbia[note 1] 131,700
34 Delaware 125,015
35 Nebraska 122,993
X New Mexico 91,874
36 Oregon 90,923
X Utah 86,336
37 Nevada 42,941[note 2]
X Colorado 39,864
X Washington 23,955
X Montana 20,595
X Idaho 14,999
X South Dakota 11,776
X Arizona 9,658
X Wyoming 9,118
X North Dakota 2,405

Notes

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  1. ^ The District of Columbia is not a state but was created with the passage of the Residence Act of 1790.
  2. ^ Includes a population of 450 for Rio Virgin County, which was located in Nevada but enumerated as part of Utah in the 1870 census.

City rankings

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Rank City State Population[6] Region (2016)[7]
01 New York New York 942,292 Northeast
02 Philadelphia Pennsylvania 674,022 Northeast
03 Brooklyn New York 396,099 Northeast
04 St. Louis Missouri 310,864 Midwest
05 Chicago Illinois 298,977 Midwest
06 Baltimore Maryland 267,354 South
07 Boston Massachusetts 250,526 Northeast
08 Cincinnati Ohio 216,239 Midwest
09 New Orleans Louisiana 191,418 South
10 San Francisco California 149,473 West
11 Buffalo New York 117,714 Northeast
12 Washington District of Columbia 109,199 South
13 Newark New Jersey 105,059 Northeast
14 Louisville Kentucky 100,753 South
15 Cleveland Ohio 92,829 Midwest
16 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 86,076 Northeast
17 Jersey City New Jersey 82,546 Northeast
18 Detroit Michigan 79,577 Midwest
19 Milwaukee Wisconsin 71,440 Midwest
20 Albany New York 69,422 Northeast
21 Providence Rhode Island 68,904 Northeast
22 Rochester New York 62,386 Northeast
23 Allegheny Pennsylvania 53,180 Northeast
24 Richmond Virginia 51,038 South
25 New Haven Connecticut 50,840 Northeast
26 Charleston South Carolina 48,956 South
27 Indianapolis Indiana 48,244 Midwest
28 Troy New York 46,465 Northeast
29 Syracuse New York 43,051 Northeast
30 Worcester Massachusetts 41,105 Northeast
31 Lowell Massachusetts 40,928 Northeast
32 Memphis Tennessee 40,226 South
33 Cambridge Massachusetts 39,634 Northeast
34 Hartford Connecticut 37,180 Northeast
35 Scranton Pennsylvania 35,092 Northeast
36 Reading Pennsylvania 33,930 Northeast
37 Paterson New Jersey 33,579 Northeast
38 Kansas City Missouri 32,260 Midwest
39 Mobile Alabama 32,034 South
40 Toledo Ohio 31,584 Midwest
41 Portland Maine 31,413 Northeast
42 Columbus Ohio 31,274 Midwest
43 Wilmington Delaware 30,841 South
44 Dayton Ohio 30,473 Midwest
45 Lawrence Massachusetts 28,921 Northeast
46 Utica New York 28,804 Northeast
47 Charlestown Massachusetts 28,323 Northeast
48 Savannah Georgia 28,235 South
49 Lynn Massachusetts 28,233 Northeast
50 Fall River Massachusetts 26,766 Northeast
51 Springfield Massachusetts 26,703 Northeast
52 Nashville Tennessee 25,865 South
53 Covington Kentucky 24,505 South
54 Salem Massachusetts 24,117 Northeast
55 Quincy Illinois 24,052 Midwest
56 Manchester New Hampshire 23,536 Northeast
57 Harrisburg Pennsylvania 23,104 Northeast
58 Trenton New Jersey 22,874 Northeast
59 Peoria Illinois 22,849 Midwest
60 Evansville Indiana 21,830 Midwest
61 Atlanta Georgia 21,789 South
62 New Bedford Massachusetts 21,320 Northeast
63 Oswego New York 20,910 Northeast
64 Elizabeth New Jersey 20,832 Northeast
65 North Providence Rhode Island 20,495 Northeast
66 Hoboken New Jersey 20,297 Northeast
67 Lancaster Pennsylvania 20,233 Northeast
68 Poughkeepsie New York 20,080 Northeast
69 Camden New Jersey 20,045 Northeast
70 Davenport Iowa 20,038 Midwest
71 Saint Paul Minnesota 20,030 Midwest
72 Erie Pennsylvania 19,646 Northeast
73 St. Joseph Missouri 19,565 Midwest
74 Wheeling West Virginia 19,280 South
75 Norfolk Virginia 19,229 South
76 Bridgeport Connecticut 18,969 Northeast
77 Petersburg Virginia 18,950 South
78 Taunton Massachusetts 18,629 Northeast
79 Chelsea Massachusetts 18,547 Northeast
80 Dubuque Iowa 18,434 Midwest
81 Bangor Maine 18,289 Northeast
82 Leavenworth Kansas 17,873 Midwest
83 Fort Wayne Indiana 17,718 Midwest
84 Springfield Illinois 17,364 Midwest
85 Auburn New York 17,225 Northeast
86 Newburgh New York 17,014 Northeast
87 Norwich Connecticut 16,653 Northeast
88 Grand Rapids Michigan 16,507 Midwest
89 Sacramento California 16,283 West
90 Terre Haute Indiana 16,103 Midwest
91 Omaha Nebraska 16,083 Midwest
92 Williamsport Pennsylvania 16,030 Northeast
93 Elmira New York 15,863 Northeast
94 New Albany Indiana 15,396 Midwest
95 Augusta Georgia 15,389 South
95 Gloucester Massachusetts 15,389 Northeast
97 Cohoes New York 15,357 Northeast
98 Newport Kentucky 15,087 South
99 New Brunswick New Jersey 15,058 Northeast
100 Burlington Iowa 14,930 Midwest

References

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  1. ^ Census History Staff. "1870 Fast Facts – History". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  2. ^ Munroe, James Phinney (1923) A Life of Francis Amasa Walker, Holt, p. 111 Conditions for the work were therefore so adverse that the new superintendent (Walker), with characteristic frankness, repudiated in many instances the results of the Census, denouncing them as false or misleading and pointing out the plain reasons. p. 113 When the appointments of enumerators were made in 1870 the entire lot was taken from the Republican party, and most of those in the South were negroes. Some of the negroes could not read or write, and the enumeration of the Southern population was done very badly. My judgement was that the census of 1870 erred as to the colored population between 350,000 and 400,000
  3. ^ a b "1870 Census: A Compendium of the Ninth Census (June 1, 1870)". www.census.gov. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  4. ^ "1870 Federal Census Schedule 1 Form" (PDF). National Archives.
  5. ^ "1870 Enumerator Instructions (to Assistant Marshals)". IPUMS USA. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  6. ^ Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990, U.S. Census Bureau, 1998
  7. ^ "Regions and Divisions". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 3, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
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