United States Census Figures Back to 1630

This volume offers a thorough, year‑by‑year accounting of United States population figures, stretching back to the early colonial era and continuing through contemporary estimates. The author relies on official Census Bureau data for years up to 1992, averaging multiple sources where needed, and then projects growth at a steady 1 % annual rate based on the two‑decade trend from 1972‑1992. Each entry is anchored to the Census’s standard July 1 reporting date, with clear footnotes documenting the raw sources.

Beyond raw numbers, the book explains how to treat these statistics much like price‑index tables, adjusting for demographic change when evaluating education, economic, or social trends. Simple comparison tables let listeners see, for example, how a 1991 figure must be scaled to match 1981 data, revealing the hidden impact of population growth on apparent progress. The guide also warns against taking headline percentages at face value without these adjustments.

Designed for researchers, students, and anyone curious about America’s demographic history, the work’s layout makes it easy to locate a “base year” and pull comparative data across centuries. Practical examples illustrate how to translate raw counts into meaningful, “real‑terms” insights, turning raw census tables into a usable tool for informed analysis.