What Colonies Had The Most People in 1775?

What colonies had the most people in 1775?

We have a bit of a hint at how many delegates were sent to the Continental Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Here are the numbers in 1775:

1. Virginia               447,016
2. Pennsylvania       240,057
3. Massachusetts    235,808
4. Maryland            202,599
5. North Carolina    197,200
6. Connecticut        183,881
7. New York           162,920
8. South Carolina    124,244
9. New Jersey        117,431
10. Rhode Island        58,196
11. New Hampshire     62,396
12. Delaware              35,496
13. Georgia                23,375

Interesting Facts About the 13 Colonies

• Virginia was the largest colony in population but did not rank in the top ten largest cities in Colonial America at the time. This was due to so many people living in the rural areas.
• Georgia was the smallest colony but was growing quickly. It had been a colony for under 50 years, founded by James Oglethorpe.
• Despite being the 2nd most populous colony, Pennsylvania was home to the largest city, which was Philadephia. This would be where the Continental Congresses would meet.
• Despite being the 7th most populous colony, New York was home to the 2nd largest city, New York City. After the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention, the United States would hold its first census in 1790. New York City would be the largest city in America from 1790 until the present day.
• South Carolina and North Carolina were once combined as the Carolina Colony until South Carolina broke off. South Carolina would play a more important role in the American Revolutionary War than North Carolina. The most important battles were the Battle of Camden, Battle of Cowpens, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, and Battle of King's Mountain.
• Vermont, not listed here, was next to New Hampshire and had already begun to develop into their own colony. However, they would not be recognized until after the Constitution was ratified. 
• Maryland became home to Baltimore, which would become one of the most important ports in America after the American Revolution. 
• The total population of the colonies was approximately 2.5 million people. England was three times their size.