In 1776, North Carolina was one of the original 13 colonies that called for independence from Great Britain, linking the history of the state and the U.S. closely. Now, in 2026, the United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary as a nation, and North Carolina is celebrating its 250th anniversary as an official state. To help tell this story, I wanted to find some data to help show the rural roots of our state, and therefore our country.
Data dating back to the 18th century is scarce. To the best of my knowledge, there ARE no data that PROVIDE an accurate, local population count for 1776. We can get close though! Thanks to historical record keeping and archives, the results from the first U.S. Census in 1790 are publicly available. With these data, we can gain a (relatively) accurate snapshot of the state POPULATION, ALONG WITH HOW IT WAS COUNTED, in 1790.
A Brief History of the First Census
The U.S. executes a census to gain an estimate of the population that is as accurate as possible, a necessary part of ensuring each state has a representative number of elected officials in Congress and the Senate. The U.S. Constitution requires that a census be conducted every 10 years to ensure an accurate population count. This 1790 Census was the first census conducted in the U.S. to start this regular process. In fact, the United States was the first country to ever require a regular, periodic census!
This initial census in 1790 was no easy feat. Even today, with modern technology and record keeping, it is a difficult task. In 1790, the U.S. Census Bureau was not yet formed, so the task fell to the U.S. marshals of each state to conduct the census. Most marshals were appointed in the fall of 1789, but North Carolina’s marshal, John Skinner, was appointed in June 1790. Despite this delay in appointment, North Carolina’s count was successfully completed on time.
In no ways is this data perfect. The original census takers received poor pay to conduct this difficult task, and record keeping and organization was not nearly as strong as it is today. This original census also purposefully did not track all people. In this, and subsequent historical censuses, people were classified into three different categories: free white people, “all other free persons,” and slaves. Enslaved people were only counted as three-fifths a person, on account of the infamous three-fifths compromise. Free, non-white people were counted as a whole person (WAS IT HEAD OF HOUSEHOLDS TOO?). However, Native Americans WHO were not taxed were excluded from the count (and were not fully incorporated into the count until 1900).
Historians and statisticians have worked to rectify these counts to give a more accurate estimate of the population at the time, but these estimates still likely have significant challenges. This data is still useful, however, in identifying larger population trends. The number might not be exactly correct, but it does still provide something worth looking at!
North Carolina in 1790
According to historical data, North Carolina had a population of just over 390,000 people in 1790, the third most populous state! At the time, North Carolina had 54 counties (we currently have 100). Some of these counties, particularly those in the Northeast region of the state, look very similar to what they look like today. Others, like those in Southern and Western NC, were later divided to create new counties. Using the historical data, we can look at where population was concentrated in 1790.
In 1790, much of the population was still concentrated in the Northeastern corner of the state. The top five densest counties were Chowan, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Halifax, and Northampton, all of which are found in the Northeast (and all of which would be classified as rural by the NC Rural Center).
Not only was population concentrated in what is present day rural Eastern North Carolina, but many key historical events in the state took place in this region. The first attempted English colony, the lost colony of Roanoke, was founded in 1587 in present day Dare County (a rural county). North Carolina’s first official town was Bath, located in present day Beaufort County (a rural county). Most importantly for this story, just over 250 years ago, the Halifax Resolves were adopted in rural Halifax County.
The Halifax Resolves were the first formal call for independence from Great Britain by a colony. The document was drafted by Samuel Johnston, President of the Congress, and six other members during the Fourth Provincial Congress. On April 12, 1776, the Halifax Resolves were unanimously adopted by all delegates present. On July 22, news that the Declaration of Independence had been signed in Philadelphia reached North Carolina, which was immediately adopted. You can travel to Halifax County and see the original copy of the Halifax Resolves, which were returned to the state for the first time since 1776 after being held in the national archives. They will be ON DISPLAY in Halifax County until October 6.
Migration to Central N.C.
Already in 1790, our state’s population was shifting. While the densest counties of the state were found in the Northeast, many counties in central NC were growing. Mecklenburg and Wake, presently the two largest counties in NC by far, already had populations greater than 10,000 people. The planned capital city of Raleigh was being established, and was officially founded in 1792, just two years after the first census was conducted, moving the capital from New Bern. This trend towards central North Carolina continued steadily. As of the 2020 Census, North Carolina’s population was well over 10 million, with much of that population concentrated in central NC, particularly in Mecklenburg and Wake counties and the counties that connect them via the I-85 corridor.
Northeast North Carolina is now one of the most (if not the most) rural regions of the state, with several of the least dense counties being found there. However, these counties were vital to the history of both our state and our country. We cannot tell the story of North Carolina or the United States without rural North Carolina, just like we will not be able to advance as a state without it.
Questions or comments? Contact the NC Rural Center’s Research and Data Manager, Dalton Bailey.