Colonial New England Statistics

Colonial New England Statistics

By the Numbers

English colonists in North America: 2,000 in 1625; 250,000 in 1700; over 1 million in 17502

Rate at which the population doubled during the 18th century: every 25 years3

Average town population in Massachusetts (including what is now Maine) in 1750: 1,280
Average town population in New Hampshire in 1750: 64046

Population of the largest town north of Boston in 1754 (Salem, Mass.): 3,46257

Number of incorporated business in New England between 1700 and 1750: 68

Number of Ulster Scots (people commonly referred to as the "Scotch- Irish"), mostly Presbyterians transplanted from Scotland to confiscated lands in Northern Ireland, who moved to America between 1717 and 1775: more than 145,0001