The first full-scale, one-volume survey of the demographic history of the United States has been fully updated here. From the arrival of humans in the Western Hemisphere to the current century, Klein analyses the basic demographic trends in the growth of the pre-conquest, colonial and national populations. From the origin and distribution of the Native Americans to late twentieth century changes in family structure, fertility and mortality, this updated edition incorporates recent research, including data from the 2010 census. In this definitive study, Klein explores regional patterns of fertility and mortality, trends in births, deaths and international and internal migrations, comparing them with contemporary European developments. The profound impact of historic declines in disease and mortality rates on the population structure of the late-twentieth century is explained, while the more recent urbanisation and rise of suburbia are examined within the context of new massive international migrations on North American society.

‘Clear, concise, and comprehensive, this book will prove invaluable as both an introduction to the topic for students and a reference for academic and policy researchers.'

Michael B. Katz - University of Pennsylvania

‘The United States is a vast, diverse, and complex nation that has always been difficult to define and dissect. But Herbert S. Klein has brought order out of chaos in crafting in one volume a readable, understandable, and fascinating demographic history of the American people. It is a grand achievement.'

Kenneth T. Jackson - Columbia University

‘This succinct but comprehensive survey of U.S. population history deftly and insightful integrates the wide-ranging scholarship of the last several decades.'

Robert William Fogel - University of Chicago and Winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1993