1840 United States census

1840 United States census
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Name	1840 United States census
Country	United States
Date	June 1, 1840
Population	17,069,453
Percent change	+32.7%
Region type	state
Most populous	New York
Least populous	Florida Territory
Previous census	1830 United States census
Previous year	1830
Next census	1850 United States census
Next year	1850

1840 United States census was the sixth decennial enumeration mandated by the United States Constitution. Authorized by an Act of Congress signed by President Martin Van Buren, it recorded a total population of 17,069,453 individuals residing in 26 states and several organized territories. The census is particularly noted for its detailed, though later contested, data on the institution of slavery and for being the first to include questions on insanity and deafness.

Background and authorization

The constitutional requirement for the census, found in Article I, Section 2, was implemented through legislation passed by the 25th United States Congress. The governing act was signed into law by President Martin Van Buren, who was presiding over a nation still recovering from the Panic of 1837. The United States Census Office, a temporary agency, was established under the Department of State to oversee the enumeration. This census continued the precedent set by the 1830 United States census while expanding its inquiries, reflecting the nation's growth and the escalating political tensions surrounding abolitionism and States' rights.

Conduct and methodology

Enumeration began on June 1, 1840, and was conducted by federal marshals and their assistants, a system unchanged since the 1790 United States census. These officials traveled designated districts, recording data on pre-printed schedules for each household. The questionnaire expanded significantly, collecting information on age, sex, occupation, and literacy. For the first time, it included columns to tally "insane and idiotic" persons and "deaf and dumb" individuals, segregated by race. Data on persons engaged in mining, agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, and navigation was also collected. The raw returns were sent to Washington, D.C., where clerks compiled the statistics for publication by the State Department.

Population findings

The census determined the resident population of the United States to be 17,069,453, a 32.7% increase over the 1830 count. The most populous state was New York with 2,428,921 inhabitants, while the newly admitted states of Michigan and Arkansas were among the least populous. The center of population was calculated to be in present-day West Virginia, near the town of Weston. The data continued to show a strong westward migration trend, with significant growth in states like Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. The census also enumerated populations in the Wisconsin Territory, Iowa Territory, and Florida Territory.

Slavery data and controversy

The 1840 census provided a detailed statistical portrait of slavery, listing the number of enslaved persons by age and sex, as well as the number of "free colored" persons in each jurisdiction. However, it became infamous for a statistical anomaly that suggested alarmingly high rates of insanity among free African Americans in Northern states compared to enslaved populations in the South. This data was seized upon by pro-slavery politicians like Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina to argue that slavery was a benevolent institution. The figures were vigorously challenged by prominent abolitionists, including former Secretary of State Edward Everett and statistician William A. Weaver, who exposed critical clerical errors and methodological flaws in the Census Office's work, leading to a major scandal over the census's scientific integrity.

Impact and legacy

The statistical errors and political controversy surrounding the slavery data severely damaged the credibility of the United States Census Office and highlighted the need for professional, non-partisan administration. This directly influenced reforms implemented for the 1850 United States census, which established a permanent Census Board and employed dedicated enumerators rather than U.S. marshals. The 1840 census results were used for congressional apportionment, shifting political power further westward. Its data remains a critical, if flawed, resource for historians studying antebellum America, demographic patterns, and the political battles over slavery that would eventually lead to the American Civil War.

Category:1840 in the United States Category:United States censuses