​United States Census 

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What is the Census

Since 1790, the United States has undertaken an effort to make an exact count of every resident living within the country’s borders every 10 years. Mandated by the United States Constitution, the Census was originally created to determine the population of each state so that the correct number of delegates in the House of Representatives could be apportioned to each state.

In the modern era, the Census has become much more than just a population count. In 1790, the Census had questions regarding the number of residents in the household and their gender. However, more modern surveys have expanded the topics to include race, Hispanic origin, occupancy status, and much more. This data is compiled and shared with the public to be used by anybody that is interested in it. This data is used by various organizations across the country, including CDRPC, to help plan for and improve communities.

1790 Census 

Why the 1870, 1860, and 1850 U. S. censuses are important...

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Agricultural Schedules

The agricultural census schedule enumerated all free individuals who produced goods over a certain value (generally $100 or more), but census-takers often included farmers who produced goods of lesser value, so even very small family farms can often be found in these schedules.


1850-1880 Blank Forms



Finding African Americans on the 1870 Census

Tony Burroughs is an internationally known genealogist, author and lecturer. He is frequently interviewed in local, national and international media for his genealogy expertise. Please explore the site and experience genealogy.

Tony Burroughs

Tony shows that when searching the 1870 census, one should look for their ancestor's given name. He tells how to make an effective search.

Finding African Americans on the 1870 Census


Census Instructions to Enumerators

Between 1790 to 1870, the duty of collecting census data fell upon the U.S. Marshals. A  March 3, 1879 act  replaced the U.S. Marshals with specially hired and trained census-takers to conduct the 1880 and subsequent censuses.

During the early censuses, U.S. Marshalls received little training or instruction on how to collect census data. In fact, it was not until 1830 that marshals even received printed schedules on which to record households' responses. The marshals often received limited instruction from the  census acts  passed prior to each census.

Beginning with the 1880 census, specially hired and trained census-takers replaced the U.S. marshals. Door-to-door census by temporary census-takers was the primary method of conducting the census until the U.S. Census Bureau began mailing questionnaires to households in 1960.

Source:  US Census Bureau


Census Instructions by Year


Example


What Years did Names Appear on the Census?

Head of household's name

  • 1790

  • 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940

All household member's names (except slaves)

  • 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940


What Years did Birth Information Appear on the Census?

Age range of free white males and free white females

  • 1790

  • 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840


Ages of all household members and Birthplace

  • 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940

Month and year of birth 

  • 1860

  • 1900


What Year did Parents Appear on the Census?

Foreign-born parents

  •  1810, 1840, 1870, 1880, 1890

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940


Parents’ birthplaces

  • 1810, 1810, 1880, 1890

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940

Mother tongue 

  •  1910, 1920, 1930, 1940


Parents’ mother tongues

  • 1920, 1930



What Year did Marriages Appear on the Census?

Married in the census year 

  • 1800, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890

  • 1900


Marital status 

  • 1880, 1890

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940

Years married 

  • 1900, 1910


Age at first marriage

  • 1930


What Year Immigration and Citizenship Appear?

Number of aliens/non naturalized residents 

  • 1820, 1830, 1840


Year of immigration 

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930

Years in the United States   

  • 1890

  • 1900


Naturalization status

  • 1890

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940 


Additional Helpful Information

Number of free colored

  • 1820, 1830, 1840


Relationship to head of household 

  • 1880, 1890

  • 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940


Veteran status 

  • 1890

  • 1910, 1930


Number of children mothered (living and total) 

  • 1890

  • 1900, 1910


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