1834day.year
The Zollverein (German Customs Union) begins the first regular census in Germany.
On December 3, 1834, the German Customs Union known as the Zollverein conducted its first regular census to collect demographic and economic data.
Established under Prussian leadership, the Zollverein aimed to unify tariffs and facilitate trade among German states. Recognizing the need for reliable statistics, officials organized a systematic census covering population, occupations, and property holdings. Enumerators visited households and businesses, compiling data that informed tariff policies and infrastructure planning. The census revealed rapid population growth in industrial regions and highlighted economic disparities. It provided a model for future national statistical efforts and contributed to emerging social science methods. By standardizing data collection, the Zollverein census strengthened administrative cohesion and economic integration in pre-unification Germany.
1834
Zollverein
census in Germany