| Year | US Population | Slave Population | Avg Lifespan | Avg Earnings | % Illiterate | % Eligible* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 17,120,000 | 1,480,000 | ||||
| 1845 | 20,182,000 | |||||
| 1850 | 23,261,000 | 1,970,000 | 38 | n/a | ||
| 1855 | 27,386,000 | |||||
| 1860 | 31,513,000 | 2,340,000 | 41 | $363 | n/a | |
| 1865 | 35,701,000 | - | $512 | |||
| 1870 | 39,905,000 | - | 43 | $489 | 20.00% | 57% |
| 1875 | 45,307,000 | - | $423 | |||
| 1880 | 50,262,000 | - | 40 | $386 | 17.00% | 64% |
| 1885 | 56,658,000 | - | $453 | |||
| 1890 | 63,056,000 | - | 45 | $475 | 13.30% | 73% |
* % of children eligible for public school attendance
Source: Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970
