Explore the 1800 United States census and find out more about your ancestors.
Explore the 1800 United States census and find out more about your ancestors.
1800 US Census Date: August 4, 1800 (All reported data is “as of” this official date chosen by the census Agency)
Census Duration: 9 months
1800 US Census Population: 5,308,483
President During Census: John Adams
1800 Census Data: 2nd United States Census
The inhabitants of The District of Columbia were included under Maryland in the 1800 Census.
Of the 5,308,483 people reported living in the United States, 893,602 were slaves.
16 states participated
News states in 1800 Census: Kentucky, Tennessee
What was lost from the 1800 US Census?
The 1800 census for Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee and Virginia were lost as well as the Indiana, Mississippi and Northwest territories (only Washington County records from the Northwest territory survived).
Famous people in history: Eli Whitney
There are long running arguments about the invention of the cotton gin, which revolutionized the tedious process of cleaning fiber from seeds of cotton. What isn't up for debate is that Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin in 1794 leading to widespread use as well as piracy of the machine. Whitney produced little profit after years of court battles and licensing infringement over the invention.
With the invention of the cotton gin (short for engine), cotton grew into the most important harvest in the US during the turn of the 19th century. Production of cotton grew astronomically in the coming decades, the system profiting even further by way of slave labor. By 1860, one third of the Southern population, or 4 million people, in the US would be enslaved.
Historical Events Surrounding 1800 US Census
March 4, 1789: First session of congress was held for 210 calendar days
John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) start handing out seeds and seedlings to Ohio settlers in 1800
March 4, 1801: Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams
The Louisiana Purchase was made in 1803 and included all of present day Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, plus part of present day Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Louisiana
In 1804, the Lewis and Clark left St. Charles Missouri on a voyage for the West Coast