Facts & Figures About the Fourth of July
(From the U.S. Census Bureau)
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence. This act put the 13 colonies on the road to becoming an independent nation.
As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks, and backyard barbecues across the country.
Some numbers and facts:
|
Population |
|
|
2.5 million |
In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation. |
|
309.6 million |
The nation’s estimated population on this July Fourth. |
|
U.S. Flags |
|
|
$3 million |
The amount spent to import American flags in 2009. Almost all of the imported U.S. flags ($2.5 million worth) were made in China. |
| $217 million |
The amount spent to import fireworks in 2009. Again, almost all of the imported fireworks came from China ($209 million worth). |
|
Patriotic-Sounding Place Names |
|
|
31 |
The number of places nationwide with “liberty” in their name. The most populous one is Liberty, Mo. (30,568). Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty, and West Liberty. |
|
30 |
The number of places with “eagle” in their name—after our national bird. Most populous: Eagle Pass, Texas (26,668). |
|
11 |
The number of places with “independence” in their name. Most populous: Independence, Mo. (110,440). |
|
5 |
The number places named “freedom.” Most populous: Freedom, Calif. (6,000). |
|
5 |
The number of places with “America” in their name. Most populous: American Fork, Utah (27,064). |
|
1 |
The number of places named “patriot”—Patriot, Ind. (189). |
|
Last Names of the First Five Presidents |
|
|
The most common last name in the United States is Smith. It ranks number 1. Below are listed our first five presidents. In front of each one is the ranking of their last name. |
|
|
138 |
George Washington |
|
39 |
John Adams |
|
594 |
Thomas Jefferson |
|
1,209 |
James Madison |
|
567 |
James Monroe Source: Census 2000 Genealogy |
|
The British Are Coming! |
|
|
America fought the Revolutionary War against the British. Today the British are our sixth-leading trading partner. |
|
|
$93.2 billion |
The dollar value of trade last year between the United States and the United Kingdom. |
|
Fourth of July Cookouts |
|
|
More than 1 in 4 |
The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages eaten on the Fourth of July came from Iowa. |
|
More than 1 in 4 |
The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages eaten on the Fourth of July came from Iowa. |
|
About 1 in 6 |
The chance that the beef hot dogs, steaks, and burgers on your backyard grill came from Texas. In 2008, Texas produced 6.5 billion pounds of beef, about one-sixth of the nation’s total production. |
|
6 |
The number of states producing the most broiler chicken. If you eat barbecued chicken, it probably comes from one of these states: Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, or Texas. |
|
About 1 in 3 |
The odds that your baked beans came from North Dakota. |
|
2 in 3 |
The odds your corn on the cob came from one of these five states: Florida, California, Georgia, Washington, or New York. These states produce two-thirds of the nation’s corn crop. |
|
1 in 2 |
The odds that the potatoes in your potato salad or potato chips came from Idaho or Washington state. Half of the nation’s potatoes were produced in these states in 2009. |
|
More than 3 out of 4 |
The chance the lettuce in your salad or on your burger came from California. |
|
7 in 10 |
The odds that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from Florida or California. |
|
More than 9 in 10 |
The chance the ketchup on your burger or hot dog came from California. |
|
4
|
The number of states growing the most watermelon. Chances are your watermelon came from Florida, California, Georgia, or Texas. |
|
76 million |
The number of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year. Many of these events took place on Independence Day. Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 1203 |