Explore the 1810 United States census and find out more about your ancestors.
1810 US Census Date: * August 6, 1810 (All reported data is “as of” this official date chosen by the census Agency)
1810 US Census Population: * 7,239,881
President During 1810 Census: * James Madison
1810 US Geography. 17 States participated. Participating territories: Illinois, Indiana, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Louisiana and Orleans Territory.
1810 Census Data: 3rd United States Census
In 1810, New York became the largest urban area with a population of 96,373 leaving Philadelphia in second place.
Of the 7,239,881 people living in the United States in 1810, slaves included 1,130,781 (16%) of population.
It took $178,000, approximately 1,100 enumerators and 469 reports to complete the 1810 census.
The US population increased by 36.4 percent from the 1800 census to the 1810 census.
Information requested for the 1810 US Census
Number of free white males and females broken down into age categories:
Under age 10
Age 10-16
Age 16-26
Age 26-45
Over 45
Number of all other free persons (reported by “sex and color”)
Number of free persons except Indians not taxed
Number of slave owner and number of slaves
County and district or town of household
What was lost from the 1810 US Census?
Census records lost for District of Columbia, Georgia, New jersey, Tennessee, Indiana Territory, Michigan Territory, Mississippi Territory and Louisiana Territory. Other records, such as Randolph records, make up for some lost counties.
Famous people in history: Margaret Fuller
Born Sarah Margaret Fuller in 1810, the writer, critic and women's rights activist, worked as the first woman journalist for the New York Daily Tribune and first woman to act as foreign correspondent during combat conditions. Fuller contributed yet another groundbreaking move by releasing the first book in the United States about women's equality.
Considered a leading member of the Transcendentalist writing movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson appointed her the editor of the Transcendentalist journal, The Dial. She is attributed to a common phrase favored by the literary movement, "I accept the universe."
Historical Events Surrounding 1810 US Census
The importation of slaves was banned in 1808
November 6, 1811: American troops defeated the American Indian chief Tecumseh at the Battle of Tippecanoe.
February 2, 1812: The strongest recorded earthquake in American history (8.3 magnitude) strikes in Missouri temporarily reversing the course of the Mississippi river.
August 24, 1814: British soldiers burn the White House and other government buildings.
April 4, 1818: Congress officially adopts the thirteen stars and stripes design for the US flag.