What was the estimated pre-Columbian population of North America?

The estimate of the pre-Columbian population of North America is often cited as being between 1 million and 10 million. This range reflects the diverse societies and various levels of urbanization among Indigenous peoples prior to European contact. Scholars have used archaeological evidence, anthropological studies, and historical records to arrive at these estimates, which indicate a significant population that included a variety of cultures and languages across the continent. This population was engaged in complex trade networks, agriculture, and sustainable resource management, which contributed to the diversity and richness of pre-Columbian societies. The variability in estimates is also due to the challenges in measuring populations that existed without written records, making this range the most widely accepted in historical discussions.

Estimates below this range, such as less than 1 million or around 5 million, do not encompass the substantial evidence of established communities and populations. Similarly, estimates exceeding 10 million or reaching over 15 million may overestimate the size of pre-Columbian societies, considering the ecological and social constraints of the time. The chosen estimate acknowledges both the complexity of Indigenous societies and the realities faced by researchers when trying to ascertain their population size.