Chapter One (Section Three)

“The American People Today”

Welcome to America!!

Over 314 Million Strong!!!

The Census A census is an official, periodic counting of the population. In the United States, a census is conducted every 10 years.

The Census A census determines each states population and uses that information to apportion representation to the House of Representatives. Tracks where people are living and where areas are growing or shrinking. Collects demographics, that is human characteristics such as: religion, ethnicity, number of children, even number of pets! Census information is public and can be found at www.census.gov

Population Growth A country’s population can grow in three ways: Natural Increase Birthrate Deathrate Adding Territory Immigration Since 1820, more than 60 million immigrants have come from all over the world to call the US home.

E Pluribus Unum As read on all US coins, E Pluribus Unum, Latin for “out of many, one” embodies the idea that our country, though diverse and ever-changing, is still one unified nation. These 60 million immigrants make up our rich, diverse population today…

Population Changes Our population is ever-changing due to the following factors: Changing Households (divorce, marriage, fewer kids) Changing Women’s Roles (more women work today) An Older Population (people are healthier than ever… in 2000, there were 65,000 Centenarians! A More Diverse Population (many Americans today have a mixed heritage)

A Population on the Move The rise of industry caused people to migrate to cities in the early 1800s. Migrate means a movement of a large number of people from region to region.

A Population on the Move In the 1920s, the invention of the automobile allowed people to work and live in different places. Because people worked in the cities and moved to places where they could afford more land, larger homes and found quiet neighborhoods, the suburbs began to flourish.

A Population on the Move Climate can also impact where people choose to live and work. The “Sunbelt” , ranging from North Carolina to Florida, became a popular place for people to move because of the different types of jobs available and warmer climate. Many of the cities in the “Sunbelt” have explosive populations to include the nation’s fastest growing city – Dallas, Texas.

A Population on the Move The most populous city in America continues to be New York, NY.