When the civil war began in 1861 how many blacks known as freeman or freedmen were living in the United states?

At the onset of the Civil War in 1861, it is estimated that there were approximately 488,000 free Black individuals, known as freedmen or freemen, living in the United States. These individuals were primarily concentrated in the Northern states, with a smaller population in the border states and some Southern cities. Despite their free status, many faced significant discrimination and limited rights compared to their white counterparts.