American Names: The Census Top 30

By Michelle Chen Mar 24, 2010

Ever wonder why politicians and ordinary skeptics get all anxious when it’s time for the census? Numbers often say a lot more about the state of the country than we think. As the immigration battle kicks into high gear, who gets counted in the upcoming census will help shape how Americans see their demographic landscape. Here’s a telling factoid from Census 2000. The top 30 surnames in the nation, according to the feds:

    t

  1. SMITH

    2. t

  2. JOHNSON

    3. t

  3. WILLIAMS

    4. t

  4. BROWN

    5. t

  5. JONES

    6. t

  6. MILLER

    7. t

  7. DAVIS

    8. t

  8. GARCIA

    9. t

  9. RODRIGUEZ

    10. t

  10. WILSON

    11. t

  11. MARTINEZ

    12. t

  12. ANDERSON

    13. t

  13. TAYLOR

    14. t

  14. THOMAS

    15. t

  15. HERNANDEZ

    16. t

  16. MOORE

    17. t

  17. MARTIN

    18. t

  18. JACKSON

    19. t

  19. THOMPSON

    20. t

  20. WHITE

    21. t

  21. LOPEZ

    22. t

  22. LEE

    23. t

  23. GONZALEZ

    24. t

  24. HARRIS

    25. t

  25. CLARK

    26. t

  26. LEWIS

    27. t

  27. ROBINSON

    28. t

  28. WALKER
  29. PEREZ
  30. HALL

Quite a list. Note that Lewis and Clark appear to be ceding ground to Lopez and Lee. How do you think the top 30 names will shake out in 2010? Place your bets now. Image: Tampa Bay Online

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