What was the free population in the south in 1850-1860?

In the 1850-1860 period, the free population in the Southern United States was relatively small compared to the total population, which included a significant number of enslaved individuals. The free population consisted mainly of free Blacks, who faced significant legal restrictions and social discrimination, as well as some white individuals, including poor farmers and middle-class citizens. By 1860, the free Black population in the South was approximately 250,000, while the overall Southern population was around 9 million, with about 3.5 million enslaved people. This demographic landscape highlighted the stark contrasts in social status and rights within the region.