In 2024, the United States had a resident population of around 340 million inhabitants. See figures for the total population by continent here.

This data set provides the annual population of counties and states calculated from decennial U.S. censuses conducted from 1890-1950 and the Census Bureau’s annual projections of state population growth. The primary sources are “Population of States and Counties of the United States: 1790-1990,” published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census (1966); “Census U.S. Decennial County Population Data, 1900-1990” published by the NBER (2007); “Historical Statistics of Hawaii,” published by University Press of Hawaii (1977); and “Annual Estimates of the Population for the U.S. and States,” published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census from 1890 to 1950. The digitized, transparent, and consistent nature of this data and provides numerous benefits, including ease of access and greater potential for analysis.

The 1950 Census population schedules were created by the Bureau of the Census in an attempt to enumerate every person living in the United States on April 1, 1950, although some persons were missed. The 1950 census population schedules were digitized by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and released publicly on April 1, 2022. The 1950 Census enumeration district maps contain maps of counties, cities, and other minor civil divisions that show enumeration districts, census tracts, and related boundaries and numbers used for each census. The coverage is nation wide and includes territorial areas. The 1950 Census enumeration district descriptions contain written descriptions of census districts, subdivisions, and enumeration districts.

Historical dataset showing total population for the United States by year from 1950 to 2025.

In 2021, children between the ages of zero and 17 years old made up 22.2 percent of the total population in the United States. This is down from a peak in 1960, where children made up 36 percent of the total population in the country.

This dataset is a digital compilation of the "Population of States and Counties of the United States: 1790-1990" publication and the "Census U.S. Decennial County Population Data, 1900-1990" resource. It provides population data for U.S. states and counties from the years 1790 to 1950. In addition to the county and state population figures, the dataset also includes the total U.S. population and state population data, as presented in the "Population of States and Counties of the United States: 1790-1990" publication.

In 2023, about 17.7 percent of the American population was 65 years old or over; an increase from the last few years and a figure which is expected to reach 22.8 percent by 2050. This is a significant increase from 1950, when only eight percent of the population was 65 or over. A rapidly aging population In recent years, the aging population of the United States has come into focus as a cause for concern, as the nature of work and retirement is expected to change to keep up. If a population is expected to live longer than the generations before, the economy will have to change as well to fulfill the needs of the citizens. In addition, the birth rate in the U.S. has been falling over the last 20 years, meaning that there are not as many young people to replace the individuals leaving the workforce. The future population It’s not only the American population that is aging -- the global population is, too. By 2025, the median age of the global workforce is expected to be 39.6 years, up from 33.8 years in 1990. Additionally, it is projected that there will be over three million people worldwide aged 100 years and over by 2050.

United States US: Population Projection: Mid Year data was reported at 420,267,733.000 Person in 2060. This records an increase from the previous number of 418,161,420.000 Person for 2059. United States US: Population Projection: Mid Year data is updated yearly, averaging 295,516,599.000 Person from Jun 1950 (Median) to 2060, with 111 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 420,267,733.000 Person in 2060 and a record low of 151,868,000.000 Person in 1950. United States US: Population Projection: Mid Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

Unadjusted decennial census data from 1950-2000 and projected figures from 2010-2040: summary table of New York City population numbers and percentage share by Borough, including school-age (5 to 17), 65 and Over, and total population.

From now until 2100, India and China will remain the most populous countries in the world, however China's population decline has already started, and it is on course to fall by around 50 percent in the 2090s; while India's population decline is projected to begin in the 2060s. Of the 10 most populous countries in the world in 2100, five will be located in Asia, four in Africa, as well as the United States. Rapid growth in Africa Rapid population growth across Africa will see the continent's population grow from around 1.5 billion people in 2024 to 3.8 billion in 2100. Additionally, unlike China or India, population growth in many of these countries is not expected to go into decline, and instead is expected to continue well into the 2100s. Previous estimates had projected these countries' populations would be much higher by 2100 (the 2019 report estimated Nigeria's population would exceed 650 million), yet the increased threat of the climate crisis and persistent instability is delaying demographic development and extending population growth. The U.S. as an outlier Compared to the nine other largest populations in 2100, the United States stands out as it is more demographically advanced, politically stable, and economically stronger. However, while most other so-called "advanced countries" are projected to see their population decline drastically in the coming decades, the U.S. population is projected to continue growing into the 2100s. This will largely be driven by high rates of immigration into the U.S., which will drive growth despite fertility rates being around 1.6 births per woman (below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman), and the slowing rate of life expectancy. Current projections estimate the U.S. will have a net migration rate over 1.2 million people per year for the remainder of the century.

Unadjusted decennial census data from 1950-2000 and projected figures from 2010-2040: summary table of New York City population numbers and percentage share by Borough, including school-age (5 to 17), 65 and Over, and total population.

In 2020, there were about 73.6 million children in the United States. This was a slight decrease from the previous year, when there were about 74.2 million children in the country. The number of children in the United States is projected to reach 78.2 million in 2050.

This data collection contains population estimates for various time periods spanning from 1900 to 1979. The data for 1900-1929 represent the resident population of the United States by single year of age (0 to 75+), race (white, nonwhite), and sex. Data for these years exclude the Armed Forces and the population residing in Alaska and Hawaii. Age 75 includes all ages from 75 up. The files for 1930-1939 represent the resident population of the United States by single year of age (0 to 75+), race (white, nonwhite), and sex. Data for these years exclude the Armed Forces and the population residing in Alaska and Hawaii. Age 75 includes all ages from 75 up. The files for 1940-1949 represent the resident population plus Armed Forces overseas of the United States by single year of age (0 to 85+), race (white, nonwhite), and sex. Data for these years exclude the the population residing in Alaska and Hawaii. Age 85 includes all ages from 85 up. The files for 1950-1959 represent the resident population plus Armed Forces overseas of the United States by single year of age (0 to 85+), race (white, nonwhite), and sex. Data for these years include the the population residing in Alaska and Hawaii. Age 85 includes all ages from 85 up. The files for 1960-1979 represent the resident population plus Armed Forces overseas of the United States by single year of age (0 to 85+), race (white, black, and other), and sex. Data for these years include the the population residing in Alaska and Hawaii. Age 85 includes all ages from 85 up.

In 2023, the median age of the population of the United States was 39.2 years. While this may seem quite young, the median age in 1960 was even younger, at 29.5 years. The aging population in the United States means that society is going to have to find a way to adapt to the larger numbers of older people. Everything from Social Security to employment to the age of retirement will have to change if the population is expected to age more while having fewer children. The world is getting older It’s not only the United States that is facing this particular demographic dilemma. In 1950, the global median age was 23.6 years. This number is projected to increase to 41.9 years by the year 2100. This means that not only the U.S., but the rest of the world will also have to find ways to adapt to the aging population.

Midyear population estimates and projections for all countries and areas of the world with a population of 5,000 or more // Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, International Programs Center// Note: Total population available from 1950 to 2100 for 227 countries and areas. Other demographic variables available from base year to 2100. Base year varies by country and therefore data are not available for all years for all countries. See methodologyhttps://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/international-programs/about/idb.html

This study was conducted under the auspices of the Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology at the University of Washington. It is a nationally representative sample of the population of the United States in 1900, drawn from the manuscript returns of individuals enumerated in the 1900 United States Census. Household variables include region, state and county of household, size of household, and type and ownership of dwelling. Individual variables for each household member include relationship to head of household, race, sex, age, marital status, number of children, and birthplace. Immigration variables include parents' birthplace, year of immigration and number of years in the United States. Occupation variables include occupation, coded by both the 1900 and 1950 systems, and number of months unemployed. Education variables include number of months in school, whether respondents could read or write a language, and whether they spoke English. (Source: downloaded from ICPSR 7/13/10)

Please Note: This dataset is part of the historical CISER Data Archive Collection and is also available at ICPSR at https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR07825.v1. We highly recommend using the ICPSR version as they may make this dataset available in multiple data formats in the future.

In 1950, there were **** new cases of diphtheria per 100,000 population in the United States. This statistic shows the number of new cases of diphtheria per 100,000 population in the United States from 1950 to 2019.

Historical dataset showing total population for American Samoa by year from 1950 to 2025.

The median age in the United States reached 39.2 years in 2024. This was up from 28.1 in 1970, reflecting a significant aging of the population. Over the coming decades, the number of retirees is projected to rise by about 40 percent by 2050. This demographic shift will present new challenges to American society, reshaping patterns of consumption, work and public policy in the decades ahead. Can an older America balance the books? Social Security spending is set to rise as America grows older. The program, which is the government’s main pillar of support for retirees, already absorbs about five percent of GDP. This could reach six percent by 2035. That trajectory will keep pressure on policymakers to balance promises to pensioners with broader fiscal constraints. A world growing older The aging trend is not unique to the U.S. The global median age reached 30.9 in 2025, up from 20.3 in 1970. By 2050, China, Japan and South Korea are expected to rank among the countries with the largest shares of people aged 65 and over. The change will oblige policymakers to adapt long-standing arrangements to societies where a larger share of people are in later life.

Population ages 65 and above for the United States was 17.92873 % of Total in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population ages 65 and above for the United States reached a record high of 17.92873 in January of 2024 and a record low of 8.21311 in January of 1950. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population ages 65 and above for the United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.