Search the 1840 U.S. Census
Key facts
- The count for the 1840 census began on June 1, 1840 and lasted 18 months.
- The total number of people counted was 17,069,453. This included 2,487,355 enslaved people.
- The census included 26 states and the territories of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Florida.
- There were two new states in the 1840 census: Arkansas and Michigan.
- This was the first census to ask military-related questions. It captured the names and ages of Revolutionary War pensioners.
Information listed on the census
- Name of head of household
- Number of free white males and females broken down by age category
- Number of other free persons, except Indians not taxed
- Name of enslaver
- Number of enslaved people
- Number of enslaved people by gender and age
- Number of foreigners (not naturalized) in the household
- Number of deaf, dumb, and blind persons in the household
- Number and age of people receiving military pensions
- Number of people attending school
- District or town
- County