U.S. Census Office, Rank of States and Territories in Population at Each Census, 1790 to 1890 (1898)

This graphic from the Statistical Atlas of the United States based upon Results of the Eleventh Census, published in 1898 under the direction of Henry Gannett, visualizes the rank of states and territories in population at each U.S. Census from 1790 to 1890. Each color-coded symbol represents a different state or territory, and additional symbols at each Census year represent states that had joined the Union or territories that had been acquired between Censuses. Changes in a state’s or territory’s overall ranking at each Census can be traced by following a thin black line connected to its symbol running from right to left throughout the graphic. The graphic demonstrates both the westward expansion of the United States and the rapid population growth of states like Kansas, Iowa, and Texas due to the railroads, land prices, and economic opportunities. To make it easier to follow the changing rank of each state or territory, we have created a bump chart that will highlight the symbols and lines connecting them when you hover over them.