United States Census, 1820

The United States Census of 1820 was the fourth Census conducted in the United States. It was conducted on August 7,1820 The total population was determined to be 9,638,453. The center of population was about 120 miles (193 km) west-northwest of Washington in Hardy County, West Virginia.

The 1820 census contains the following information:

Columns - left to right

1. Name of the head of family

2. # of free white males under age 10

3. # of free white males age 10-16

4. # of free white males age 16-18

5. # of free white males age 16-26

6. # of free white males age 26-45

7. # of free white males age 45 and up

8. # of free white females under age 10

9. # of free white females age 10-16

10. # of free white females age 16-26

11. # of free white females age 26-45

12. # of free white females age 45 and up

13. # of foreigners not naturalized

14. # of persons engaged in agriculture

15. # of persons engaged in commerce

16. # of persons engaged in manufacture

17. # of male slaves under 14

18. # of male slaves age 14-26

19. # of male slaves age 26-45

20. # of male slaves age 45 and up

21. # of female slaves under 14

22. # of female slaves age 14-26

23. # of female slaves age 26-45

24. # of female slaves age 45 and up

25. # of free male colored persons under 14

26. # of free male colored persons age 14-26

27. # of free male colored persons age 26-45

28. # of free male colored persons age 45 and up

29. # of free female colored persons under 14

30. # of free female colored persons age 14-26

31. # of free female colored persons age 26-45

32. # of free female colored persons age 45 and up

33. # of all other persons except Indians not taxed

Several of these columns were for special counts, and not to be included in the aggregate total. Doing so would have resulted in counting some individuals twice. Census takers were asked to use double lines, red ink or some other method of distinguishing these columns so that double counting would not occur. For example, the count of free white males between 16 and 18 was a special count, because these individuals were also supposed to be tabulated in the column for free white males of age 16 and under 26. The other special counts were foreigners not naturalized, persons engaged in agriculture, persons engaged in commerce, and persons engaged in manufacture.

Census takers were also instructed to count the an individual in only one of the occupational columns. For example, if an individual was engaged in agriculture, commerce, and manufacture, the census taker had to judge which one the individual was primarily engaged in.