The Five Most Populous U.S. States in 1790 (First Census)

The 1790 Census—the nation's first—counted 3.9 million people. The top five states reflected the colonial population centers, with boundaries often extending far beyond modern lines.

1. Virginia – 747,610

Largest by far. Included present-day **West Virginia (1863), Kentucky (1792), and parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania** (Northwest Territory claims). Capital: Richmond. 40% enslaved.

2. Pennsylvania – 434,373

Keystone of the Middle Colonies. Included **Erie Triangle** (bought 1792) and claims to **Western Reserve (NE Ohio)**. Philadelphia = largest city (42,000), national capital (1790–1800). Diverse: English, German, Scots-Irish, Quaker.

3. North Carolina – 393,751

Extended to **Mississippi River** (ceded 1790 → Southwest Territory → Tennessee 1796). Rural, small-farm, naval stores, growing slave economy. No major city (Wilmington largest ~2,500).

4. Massachusetts – 378,787

Included **Maine (district until 1820)**. Compact, dense, maritime/commercial. Boston (18,000) = 3rd city. High literacy, town-meeting governance. Shays' Rebellion (1786) recent memory.

5. South Carolina – 249,073

Rice/indigo plantation economy. **Majority enslaved** (107,000 of 249k). Charleston (16,000) = 4th city. Lowcountry elite dominated politics. Claimed land to Mississippi (ceded 1787).

Notable Exclusions

• New York (340k) – 6th. Slow growth due to Loyalist exodus, land disputes.
• Maryland (320k) – 7th. Tobacco, Baltimore rising.
• Connecticut (238k) – 8th. Dense, manufacturing start.

These five held **56% of U.S. population** and dominated early Congress (Virginia Dynasty: 4 of 1st 5 Presidents).