Our World in Data, Share of the U.S. Population Living in Urbanized Areas, 1500 to 1900

This is a snapshot of an interactive line graph published by Our World in Data and based on data from HYDE (2023). It visualizes the growth in the percentage of the U.S. population living in urbanized areas from 1500 to 1900. The interactive graph allows viewers to adjust the years and add more countries for comparison. However, comparisons should be made with caution because there is no universal threshold to define an "urban area." The U.S. Census Bureau did not officially define urban housing, population, or living until 1910, at which time urban spaces were defined as having 2,500 people or more. However, before officially deciding on 2,500, they used thresholds of 8,000 and 4,000 (2). Throughout the nineteenth century, urbanization and industrialization were closely aligned. A decline in necessity for agricultural labor paved the way for many to migrate to cities and urban regions looking for work. During this time period, between 1870 and 1900, the share of the U.S. population living in urban areas increased from 25.7% to 39.6%.