Detail map of Quebec, Canada,Ville-Marie, Montréal, Québec, Canada Overview map of Quebec, Canada,Ville-Marie, Montréal, Québec, Canada

A: Quebec, Canada, B: Ville-Marie, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Jean Talon Conducts the First Census in North America

1666
Portrait of Jean Talon in 1671 by Claude François (called Frère Luc), oil. 72.7 x 59.3 cm. Monastère des augustines de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec.
Portrait of Jean Talon in 1671 by Claude François (called Frère Luc), oil. 72.7 x 59.3 cm. Monastère des augustines de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada

In 1666 Jean Talon, the first Intendant of New France, conducted the first census of New France (Canada). Talon conducted the census largely by himself, travelling door-to-door among the settlements of New France. He did not include Native American inhabitants of the colony, or the religious orders. This was the first census conducted in North America.

"According to Talon's census there were 3215 people in New France, and 538 separate families. There were 2034 men and 1181 women. Children and unmarried people were grouped together; there were 2154 of these, while only 1019 people were married (42 were widowed). 547 people lived in Quebec, 455 in Trois-Rivières, and 625 in Montreal. The largest single age group, 21-30 year olds, numbered 842. 763 people were professionals of some kind, and 401 of these were servants, while 16 were listed as 'gentlemen of means.' "

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