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- 🌎 AIAN Heritage Month
- 4️⃣ Facts
- 🧭 Geography Awareness Week
- 🎂 Happy Birthday to Six States
- 🦃 Thanksgiving 

# **November 2022:****By the Numbers**

Join us this month as we celebrate **American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month** and **Geography Awareness Week**. Explore statistics about **six states** and learn more about **Thanksgiving**.

## 🎧 Listen to By the Numbers

Play this YouTube video to listen to our featured observances, anniversaries, and historical events for the month ahead. 

**Help Us Spread the Word!**

Visit our By the Numbers page to download audio files and scripts. We encourage media, partners, and stakeholders to share this content with your audiences on radio, podcasts, and social media channels. 

Get Audio Files and Scripts

## 🌎 American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May **1916**, in New York. In **1990**, more than seven decades later, then-President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating the month of November “National American Indian Heritage Month.” 

Similar proclamations have been issued every year since **1994** to recognize what is now called “American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.”

Learn More

**🔎 Did you know?** American Indian and Alaska Native is **one of the six** major race categories defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

✅ The nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native population alone in **2020** was **3.7 million**. This population group identifies as AIAN only and did not identify with any other race.

📍 The map below shows the nation's American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination by state in **2020**.

Visit our Stats for Stories page to learn more about Native American Heritage Day and other upcoming observances.

Stats for Stories

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#### **Infographics & Data Visualizations**

Explore Data

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#### **You May Be Interested In**

                  - **Statistics in Schools Fun Facts:**American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
                  - **Test Your Trivia Knowledge:**Fun Facts About American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
                  - **Facts for Features:**American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
                  - **Stats for Stories:** Native American Heritage Day
                  - **Census Academy Webinar:**Your Tribal Nation by the Numbers: Accessing American Indian and Alaska Native Statistics
                  - **Data Tables:**Detailed profile on data.census.gov
                  - **Data Tool:**My Tribal Area
                  - **Data Equity:**Advancing Equity With Data
                  - **Data Summit Webinar:** Census Bureau Data for the AIAN Population and Businesses

## 4️⃣ **Facts for American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month**

#### **1.** The total population of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) origin was **7.2 million** in **2021**. 

#### **2.**Alaska (**20.5%**) had the highest percentage of AIAN residents in **2021**, followed by Oklahoma (**14.4%**).

#### **3.** There were **546** federally recognized Indian tribes in **2022**.

#### **4.**The American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination with other race groups is projected to be **10.1 million** on **July 1, 2060**.

**These facts are available thanks to the public’s participation in Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the information shared by each respondent as we continuously count and measure America’s people, places, and economy.**

## 🧭 Geography Awareness Week****

Geography Awareness Week takes place this year from November **14th** to the **18th**. And on November **16th**, we celebrate GIS Day to help others learn about geographic information systems.

Learn More

Geography is central to the work of the U.S. Census Bureau, providing the framework for survey design, sample selection, data collection, tabulation, and dissemination. Geography provides meaning and context to statistical data.

You can celebrate Geography Awareness Week by:
                  - Exploring geographic profiles on  data.census.gov
                  - Using lessons, games, and challenges  in the classroom
                  - And learning about the  2020 Census Center of Population

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### **Geography Videos and Resources**

Take a look at how the U.S. Census Bureau uses aerial and satellite imagery to discover and confirm the location of addresses, roads, and boundaries, ensuring geospatial accuracy in census survey taking and results.

The U.S. is made up of many geographic types - such as census blocks, block groups, and tracts - which offer an understanding of different demographic, social, and economic pictures of the nation. 

The Census Bureau’s urban-rural classification provides an important baseline set of urban and rural areas for data presentation and analysis. 
                  - **Video**: The Work of Census Bureau Geographers: In Their Own Voices
                  - **Census.gov:**Geography Program
                  - **Data Tools:**Interactive Maps
                  - **Census Academy:**Geography Resources
                  - **Census Academy Webinar:** To Nest, or Not to Nest, That is the Quest
                  - **Statistics in Schools:**State Facts for Students

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### **Gina the Geographer**

Gina the Geographer has escaped to a secret location. It’s your mission to find her and bring her back to school! Put your geography skills to the test and use these census data-powered clues about landmarks, weather, population, and more to figure out where Gina’s hiding. 

Classroom Activity

Play an interactive game on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone! Put your geography skills to the test to find Gina the Geographer.

Play the Game

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### **What is the Center of Population?**

If the United States map was a scale and every person had equal weight, the center of population is the place where the scale would balance. In other words, the center of population is the average location of where people in the United States currently live.

📍 Based on data from the **2020 Census**, the current center of the population is near **Hartville, Missouri**.

📜 The first center of population based on the **1790 Census** was located in **Chestertown, Maryland**.

#### **You May Be Interested In**

                  - **Video:**What is the Center of Population and How Has it Changed Since 1790?
                  - **Interactive Story Map:**Centers of Population
                  - **Data Visualization:** 2020 Census Center of Population Data Visualization
                  - **America Counts Story:**The “Hart” of the Nation’s Population: Hartville, Missouri (Pop. 594)
                  - **Census.gov:**Centers of Population
                  - **Data:** Centers of Population Time Series
                  - **Data:** National Centers of Population for the 1790 - 2020 Censuses
                  - **Data:**Historical State Centers of Population by State for 1880-2020 Censuses 

## **🎂 Happy Birthday to North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Oklahoma, and North Carolina!**

### **November 2nd, 2022:**

#### North Dakota's **133rd**Anniversary  

🔎 **Did you know?** North Dakota is the **17th** largest state by area and was the **39th** state to join the Union.

🌹 The state flower is the **Wild Prairie Rose**.

🌱 The state nickname is the **Peace Garden State**.

🌆 The largest city is **Fargo**.

North Dakota was the **fourth** fastest growing state from **2010** to **2020**.

The results of the 2020 Census show that:
                  - The total population of North Dakota was  779,094  – an increase of  15.8%  from  2010
                  - 33,412  or  4.3%  of people in North Dakota reported Hispanic or Latino origin – an increase of  148.1%  from  2010

🌐 Check out our America Counts state profile for North Dakota

🌐 Explore Census Bureau data for North Dakota using data.census.gov

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### **November 2nd, 2022:**

#### South Dakota's **133rd**Anniversary

🔎 **Did you know?** South Dakota is the **16th** largest state by area and was the **40th** state to join the Union.

🐦 The state bird is the **Ring-Necked Pheasant**.

🌄 The state nickname is the **Mount Rushmore State**.

🌃 The largest city is **Sioux Falls**.

South Dakota grew by **8.9%** from **2010** to **2020**.

The results of the 2020 Census show that:
                  - The total population of South Dakota was  886,667  – an increase of  8.9%  from  2010
                  - 38,741  or  4.4%  of people in South Dakota reported Hispanic or Latino origin – an increase of  75.1%  from  2010

🌐 Check out our America Counts state profile for South Dakota

🌐 Explore Census Bureau data for South Dakota using data.census.gov

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### **November 8th, 2022:**

#### Montana's **133rd**Anniversary

🔎 **Did you know?** Montana is the **4th** largest state by area and was the **41st** state to join the Union.

🌲 The state tree is the **Ponderosa Pine**.

💰 The state nickname is the **Treasure State**.

🌇 The largest city is **Billings**.

Montana's population topped the **1 million** mark in **2020**.

The results of the 2020 Census show that:
                  - The total population of Montana was  1,084,225  – an increase of  9.6%  from  2010
                  - 45,199  or  4.2%  of people in Montana reported Hispanic or Latino origin – an increase of  58.2%  from  2010

🌐 Check out our America Counts state profile for Montana

🌐 Explore Census Bureau data for Montana using data.census.gov

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### **November 11th, 2022:**

#### Washington's **133rd**Anniversary

🔎 **Did you know?** Washington is the **20th** largest state by area and was the **42nd** state to join the Union.

🌸 The state flower is the **Coast Rhododendron**.

🌲 The state nickname is the **Evergreen State**.

🌃 The largest city is **Seattle**.

Washington's population grew by almost **1 million** since **2010**.

The results of the 2020 Census show that:
                  - The total population of Washington was  7,705,281  – an increase of  14.6%  from  2010
                  - 1,059,213  or  13.7%  of people in Washington reported Hispanic or Latino origin – an increase of  40.1%  from  2010

🌐 Check out our America Counts state profile for Washington

🌐 Explore Census Bureau data for Washington using data.census.gov

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### **November 16th, 2022:**

#### Oklahoma's **115th**Anniversary

🔎 **Did you know?** Oklahoma is the **19th** largest state by area and was the **46th** state to join the Union.

🌳 The state tree is the **Redbud**.

🐎 The state nickname is the **Sooner State**.

🏛 The largest city is **Oklahoma City**.

Oklahoma's population grew by **5.5%** since **2010**.

The results of the 2020 Census show that:
                  - The total population of Oklahoma was  3,959,353  – an increase of  5.5%  from  2010
                  - 471,931  or  11.9%  of people in Oklahoma reported Hispanic or Latino origin – an increase of  42.1%  from  2010

🌐 Check out our America Counts state profile for Oklahoma

🌐 Explore Census Bureau data for Oklahoma using data.census.gov

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### **November 21st, 2022:**

#### North Carolina's **233rd**Anniversary

🔎 **Did you know?** North Carolina is the **29th** largest state by area and was the **12th** state to join the Union.

🌲 The state tree is the **Pine**.

👣 The state nickname is the **Tar Heel State**.

🌇 The largest city is **Charlotte**.

North Carolina gained around **900,000** people since **2010**.

The results of the 2020 Census show that:
                  - The total population of North Carolina was  10,439,388  – an increase of  9.5%  from  2010
                  - 1,118,596  or  10.7%  of people in North Carolina reported Hispanic or Latino origin – an increase of  39.8%  from  2010

🌐 Check out our America Counts state profile for North Carolina

🌐 Explore Census Bureau data for North Carolina using data.census.gov

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See All State Profiles

## 🦃 Thanksgiving and More

In the fall of **1621**, the Pilgrims — early settlers of Plymouth Colony — held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this as the nation's **first** Thanksgiving. The legacy of thanks and the feast have survived for centuries, with the event becoming a national holiday as of **October 3, 1863**.

Learn More

🔎**Did you know?**Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November. That’s **November 24th**this year.

**🦃**There are **4** places named Turkey in the U.S. – a traditional holiday main course.

🥫 There are **5** places named Cranberry in the U.S. – a popular holiday side dish.

🛒 The **six** largest turkey producing states account for **69%** of all turkeys produced according to the U.S Department of Agriculture.

🍗 Minnesota leads the way. The state was projected to raise **37.5 million** turkeys in **2022**.

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#### **Check Out Our Thanksgiving Fun Facts**

Use our Fun Facts resource in your classrooms or at home and share a variety of interesting Thanksgiving related facts with your students — from the number of turkey towns and cranberry counties in our country to the states that were forecasted to raise the most turkeys.

Fun Facts

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#### **Test Your Trivia Knowledge**

What’s your favorite thing about fall? 🍂 The changing colors of the leaves? 🍎 Apple picking? 🎃 Or carving pumpkins into jolly jack-o’-lanterns? 

Test your knowledge on cool stuff like:
                  - The number of pumpkins and apples exported
                  - U.S. places with spooky-sounding names
                  - The state projected to raise the most turkeys— and more!

Take the Quiz

Do you know how many hobby, toy, and game stores there are in the U.S. or which three states have the most chocolate makers? Get into the holiday spirit year-round with this quiz that ties Census Bureau statistics to holidays celebrations.

Take the Quiz

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#### **Follow the Census Bureau on Social Media**

Please use the links below to follow the Census Bureau on social media and sign up for important email updates.

#### **U.S. Census Bureau Official Social Media Accounts**

#### **Facebook – @uscensusbureau**

#### **Twitter – @uscensusbureau**

#### **Twitter - @censusdirector**

#### **LinkedIn - U.S. Census Bureau**

#### **Instagram – @uscensusbureau**

#### **YouTube - U.S. Census Bureau**

#### **Sign Up for Email Updates**