This data collection contains information about the population of each county, town, and city of the United States in 1850 and 1860. Specific variables include tabulations of white, black, and slave males and females, and aggregate population for each town. Foreign-born population, total population of each county, and centroid latitudes and longitudes of each county and state were also compiled.

Geographically, this volume covers the United States from Texas to North Dakota, and west of there. The US Bureau of the Census began counting people in 1850 as the West came into US possession and settlers began moving in. This compilation includes the Census' decennial population figures (1860-1990) for all incorporated cities and towns, as well as state, territorial, and special censuses, where available. Population estimates for many communities that never incorporated, or waited many years to incorporate, are also included here when available. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR