On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, severing the 13 colonies’ ties with Britain and paving the way for them to become a free and sovereign nation. As we celebrate Independence Day, we’re reminded that our Founding Fathers considered statistics so im portant they enshrined in our Constitution a once-a-decade population count to determine each state’s share of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we measure America’s people and economy. Did You Know? Historical estimate of the number of people living in the newly independent nation in July 1776. 2.5 million Source: Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970 The nation’s population on July 1, 2025. 341,784,857 Source: Vintage 2025 Population Estimates The number of signers of the Declaration of Independence. 56 It is also worth noting that: John Hancock, a merchant by trade, was the first signer. In 2022, more than 1 million business establishments with 17.1 million paid employees were in the retail trade industry, like Hancock. (Source: 2022 Economic Census) Benjamin Franklin, who represented Pennsylvania, was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence at age 70. Pennsylvania had a resident population of 13,059,432 on July 1, 2025. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina was the youngest signer at age 26. South Carolina had a resident population of 5,570,274 on July 1, 2025. (Source: Vintage 2024 Population Estimates)   Patriotic-Sounding Places Liberty, Mo. (2025 population 31,319). Liberty Hill, Texas (2025 population 13,317). New Freedom, Pa. (2025 population 5,116). Freedom, Wis. (2025 population 6,354). Independence, Ky. (2025 population 30,198). Union City, N.J. (2025 population 66,656). Bald Eagle Township, Pa. (2025 population 2,047). Eagle Pass, Texas (2025 population 28,926). Patriot, Ind. (2025 population 209). American Fork, Utah (2025 population 41,020). Flagstaff, Ariz. (2025 population 77,260). Justice, Ill. (2025 population 12,285). Source: Vintage 2025 City and Town Population Estimates ...read more read less