Early Chicago, 1833–1871
A Selection of Documents from the Illinois State Archives


< Previous Document  |  Document List  |  Early Chicago Introduction  |  Next Document >

DOCUMENT 23

CENSUS REPORT
August 9, 1852


View Transcription

Explanation

The following are approximate population figures for the City of Chicago:

1832 200   1853 60,652
1833 350   1854 65,872
1834 2,000   1855 80,028
1835 3,265   1856 84,133
1836 3,820   1857 93,000
1837 4,170   1858 90,000
1838 4,000   1859 95,000
1839 4,200   1860 109,260
1840 4,470   1861 120,000
1841 5,752   1862 138,835
1842 6,248   1863 160,000
1843 7,580   1864 169,353
1844 8,000   1865 178,900
1845 12,088   1866 200,418
1846 14,169   1867 220,000
1847 16,859   1868 252,054
1848 20,023   1869 273,043
1849 23,047   1870 298,977
1850 29,963   1871 334,270
1851 34,437   1880 503,185
1852 38,733  
Immigration into the United States was progressing almost geometrically at this time. In 1832, 60,000 immigrants arrived; in 1842, 105,000 came in; and in 1852, the number was 372,000. Most immigrants who came to Chicago came from the East Coast by way of the Great Lakes.

Points to Consider

In 1852 what percentage of Chicago residents had been born in a foreign country?

What percentage were black?

What percentage were female?

What percentage owned the dwellings in which they resided?

See Related Document:

8, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 48, and 49

< Previous Document  |  Document List  |  Early Chicago Introduction  |  Next Document >