What Was Life Like in America in 1776?

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, let’s go back in time to see what life was like in the colonies in 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

How many people lived in the colonies?

According to the U.S. Census, in 1776 the population of the 13 colonies was approximately 2.56 million, which included about 450,000 enslaved people. The colonies were overwhelmingly rural. More than 96 percent of Americans lived on farms, plantations, or small settlements.

Urban America was extremely small by modern standards. The largest city was Philadelphia, with a population of about 30,000. Second was New York City, home to approximately 25,000. By comparison, London—the largest city in the British Empire—had some 740,000 people in 1760.

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The population of the colonies varied widely. Virginia was the largest, with approximately 550,000 residents, many of whom were enslaved people. Next was Pennsylvania, home to more than 300,000. The smallest colony was Delaware, with about 37,000 people.

How does that compare to today? As of 2026 the population of the United States exceeded 340 million. About 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas, and the most populous city is New York City. It was the largest city according to the first official census in 1790—when it had a population of 33,131—and is now home to more than 8.5 million people. That’s roughly 3.5 times the population of all 13 colonies combined in 1776. California is the largest state, with more than 39 million people.

How tall were Americans?

Contrary to popular belief, American colonists were not short. In fact they were the world’s tallest people during the Revolutionary period—and for more than 150 years thereafter. Studies indicate that the typical male colonist stood about 5 feet 8 inches—that’s just one inch shorter than the average American man in 2026. And it’s three inches taller than the typical Englishman in 1776. One of the reasons for the height disparity was nutrition. In the colonies people had access to more and better food. A strong economy—and good wages—also helped.

How long did people live?

The average life expectancy in America in the late 18th century was about 38 years. While this seems incredibly low, the number reflects the high infant and child mortality rates of the time. Some research suggests that about 43 percent of children died before age five. Those who reached adulthood, however, often lived into their 60s and 70s. The most common causes of death were infectious diseases, including smallpox, malaria, and dysentery.

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Today life expectancy in the United States is almost 77 years for men and some 81 years for women. The leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer, stroke, and accidental injuries.

Did colonists go to the dentist?

Technically, colonists did get dental care, though there were few true dentists in America in the late 1700s—this was unfortunate because dental hygiene was very limited. When colonists did clean their teeth, they typically used rags or chew sticks—twigs with frayed ends that worked like a brush. If there was a problem, they usually waited until the tooth was so rotted or painful that it had to be removed. And that’s when the local barber-surgeon (as it sounds, these were barbers who often performed medical procedures), physician, or even blacksmith would step in. They would pull out the problem tooth—typically with little or no pain relief.

How often did they bathe?

Short answer: not very often. Many colonists washed daily with a damp cloth and frequently changed their undergarments. But when it came to full-body baths, most people took only a few each year. Why? Partly for health reasons. There was a common belief that being immersed in water caused skin pores to open and allowed diseases to enter the body. Another obstacle was the work involved in filling a bathtub. Water had to be collected from a well or river and lugged into the house—not an easy task given that a single gallon weighs more than eight pounds. The water then had to be heated over a fire before it could be poured into the tub. Given how labor intensive the process was, most families bathed in the same water, starting with the parents and ending with the youngest child.

How educated were colonists?

Education was an important part of colonial America. Many colonies stressed reading and writing, with some making it mandatory. This emphasis on literacy was partly due to religion, as colonists were expected to read the Christian scriptures. Civic engagement was also a motivating factor. It is believed that about 85 percent of white men were literate, though some have speculated that it was as high as 95 percent in certain areas. For many, education was received at home rather than in a school. In addition, wealthier families had private tutors. Advanced education was extremely rare, however. In 1776 there were only nine colleges in the colonies, and less than one percent of the population had a college degree.

Today the literacy rate in the United States is about 79 percent. Some 91 percent complete high school, and approximately 38 percent obtain a bachelor’s degree.

What did people eat?

Most colonists lived off the land, using local ingredients. Their diet blended European and Indigenous foods. Popular dishes included:

• Johnny cakes (hoe cakes): breakfast dish similar to pancakes, made from cornmeal, flour, and milk
• Pottage: filling stew made from meat and vegetables that often simmered all day
• Succotash: Native American dish featuring corn and various beans
• Rye and Indian: bread made from rye and cornmeal (“Indian meal”)
• Jumbles: cookies made from flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and nutmeg
• Hasty pudding: cornmeal-based pudding that included such spices as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger

And drink?

When it came to beverages, alcohol was the preferred drink of many Americans, who drank beer and hard cider throughout the day. This was partly because alcohol was believed to have health benefits. It was also inexpensive to make. Other popular drinks included tea and water—at least among those who had access to a fresh supply. In certain areas, especially cities, the water could be contaminated and was therefore avoided.