July 4 By The Numbers

2.5 million
The estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation in July 1776.
Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970

311.7 million
The nation's estimated population in July 2011.
Source: Population Clock

$190.7 million
The value of fireworks imported from China in 2010, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($197.3 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $37.0 million in 2010, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($6.3 million).
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

$302.7 million
The annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation’s manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.
Source: 2007 Economic Census

$3.2 million
The dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags in 2010. The vast majority of this amount ($2.8 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

$486,026
The dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2010. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $256,407 worth.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics

Editor's note: The this data was collected by the U.S. Census Bureau from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error.