The estimated population of the United States in 1776 was about 2.5 million people. The U.S. Census Bureau gives that figure for the 13 colonies in July 1776.

Context

A later Census Bureau estimate notes that nearly 2.8 million people lived in what would become the United States around 1780, which helps show why 1776 estimates are usually rounded to about 2.5 million.

Quick table

[1]
YearEstimated populationSource
1776About 2.5 millionCensus Bureau historical estimate
TL;DR: in 1776, the population was **roughly 2.5 million**.