1960 Census of Population and Housing

The 1960 census began on April 1, 1960, in accordance with the requirements of an act of August 31, 1954 (amended August 1957), which codified Title 13 of the United States Code. By mid-April, 85 percent of the population of the United States had been enumerated with the count up to 98 percent by the end of the month. Several notable changes were made in the procedures for taking and tabulating the census. These changes were: 1) the greater use of sampling, 2) the development of procedures enabling most householders an opportunity to consult other members and available records when completing the questionnaire for their families, and 3) the use of electronic equipment for nearly all data processing work. ¹ [More/Less]

Sampling. In the 1960 census, a 25-percent sample was used. The greater use of sampling meant that the totals for some of the smaller areas were subject to a moderate amount of sampling variation, the usefulness of the statistics was not significantly impaired. Using a 25-percent sample of households eliminated nearly 75 percent of the processing expenses otherwise required for the items in the sample.

Enumeration procedures. The 1960 enumeration was divided into two stages—the first concentrating on quick coverage of the population and the collection of a few items for every person and dwelling unit, and the second devoted to the collection of the more detailed economic and social information required for sample households and dwelling units. Both stages used questionnaires left at the residence to be filled out by one or more members of the family.

The enumeration began prior to April 1, 1960,when an advance census form was delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to each household. The time between delivery of the form and the arrival of an enumerator to collect the household’s information allowed the household to assemble information needed to respond to the census inquiries.

Shortly after April 1, 1960, the second stage of the enumeration began. Enumerators made their rounds to collect the census data and left an additional form—containing the sample inquiries—at every fourth house visited. Households receiving the sample form were asked to complete the form and mail it to their local census office in the postage-paid envelope provided by the enumerator. When these mailed questionnaires were received at the census office, Census Bureau personnel checked the sample forms for accuracy and conducted telephone or personal inquiries to complete unanswered inquiries when necessary.

This two-stage enumeration was believed to be advantageous in that, in the past, enumerators were given only brief special training and were burdened with more instructions and work than they could effectively manage. By creating a two-stage enumeration the field work and training were reduced. Approximately one-third of the enumerator work force was retained for work in the second stage—receiving additional training that focused solely upon the content of the sample questions.

In specified areas (about 15-percent of the total population, characterized as living in areas of low population density and/or having inferior road networks), the two staged enumeration was combined, so that the enumerator collected and recorded sample data in the same interview in which the 100-percent inquiries were recorded.

¹ A. Ross Eckler, “Plans for the 18 th Decennial Census,” presented at the annual meeting of the Rural Sociological Society, Cornell University, August 27, 1959. Pp.3-6. Morris H. Hansen, “Procedures for the 1960 Census of Population and Housing,” presented at the annual meeting of the American Statistical Association, Chicago, Il, December 1958.

1960 Census of Population

Vol. III. Selected Area Reports
Vol. III. 1A, 1B, and 1C * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 277.4 MB]
1A. State Economic Areas.
1B. Size of Place.
1C. Americans Overseas
Vol. III. 1D and 1E * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 176.6 MB]
1D. Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas
1E. Type of Place.

Reports no. 41 through 48 and 50 through 56 * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 64.3 MB]

PC(A) Advance Reports
(A1). Final Population Counts for States. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 57.4 MB]

(A3). General Social and Economic Characteristics. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 86.0 MB]

PC(P) Preliminary Reports
(P1). Population Counts for States. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 35.2 MB]

(P2). Population Counts for Standard Metropolitan Statistical * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 17.8 MB]

(P3). Population Summaries. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 5.5 MB]
1. Population of Congressional Districts.
2. Cities of 100,000 Inhabitants or More, April 1, 1960.
3. Cities of 25,000 Inhabitants or More.
4. Population of Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 1960 and 1950.

Other Reports
Availability of Published and Unpublished Data.
July, 1961 * - Title Page [PDF], ZIP * [5.4 MB]
Revised, October, 1964 * - Title Page [PDF], ZIP[5.5 MB]

Classified Index of Occupations and Industries * - Title Page [PDF], ZIP[44.3 MB]

Alphabetical Index of Occupations and Industries * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 75.9 MB]

1960 Census of Population and Housing

Series PHC(1). Census Tracts
Part 1. Abilene, TX - Buffalo, NY * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 195.1 MB]
Part 2. Asheville, NC - Biloxi-Gulfport, MS * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 198.7 MB]
Part 3. Dallas, TX. To Fresno, CA * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 254.6 MB]
Part 4. Gadsden, AL to Knoxville, TN * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 148.1 MB]
Part 5. Lancaster, PA to Lubbock, TX. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 192.3 MB]
Part 6. Macon, GA to New Orleans, LA. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 142.4 MB]
Part 7. New York, NY* - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 198.7 MB]
Part 8. Newark, NJ to Phoenix, AZ * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 220.8 MB]
Part 9. Pittsburgh, PA to San Bernardino-Riverside-Ontario, CA * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 205.6 MB]
Part 10.San Diego, CA to Syracuse, NY * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 233.7 MB]
Part 11. Tacoma, WA to San Juan, Puerto Rico * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 201.5 MB]

Series PHC(3). Census County Division Boundary Descriptions * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 67.8 MB]

Series PHC(ER60). Procedural Reports
No. 1. Background, Procedures, and Forms. 112 p. Issued 1963. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 67.8 MB]
No. 2. Record Check Studies of Population Coverage. 14 p. Issued 1964. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 14.6 MB]
No. 3. Accuracy of Data on Housing Characteristics. 28 p. Issued 1964. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 4.7 MB]
No. 4. Accuracy of Data on Population Characteristics as Measured by Reinterviews. 27 p. Issued 1964. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 5.2 MB]
No. 5. Accuracy of Data on Population Characteristics as Measured by CPS-Census Match. 63 p. Issued 1965. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 8.8 MB]
No. 6. The Employer Record Check. 18 p. Issued 1965. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 4.0 MB]
No. 7. Effects of Interviewers and Crew Leaders. 91 p. Issued 1968 * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 11.8 MB]
No. 8. Record Check Study of Accuracy of Income Reporting. 22 p. Issued 1970. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 3.0 MB]
No. 9. Effects of Coders. 29 p. Issued 1972. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 2.8 MB]
No. 10. Accuracy of Data on Population Characteristics for Subgroups of the Total Population. 82 p. Issued 1973. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 9.8 MB]
No. 11. Effects of Diffent Reinterview Techniques on Estimates of Simple Response Variables. 106 p. Issued 1972. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 11.6 MB]

Other Reports
Principal Data-Collection Forms and Procedures. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 9.7 MB]

Quality Control of Preparatory Operations, Microfilming, and Coding. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 8.7 MB]

Censuses of Population and Housing in Puerto Rico, 1960, Processing the Data. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 7.6 MB]

1960 Census of Housing

Vol II. Metropolitan Housing
Part 1. United States and Divisions * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 68.9 MB]
Part 2. Albilene, TX - Corpus Christi, TX * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 95.7 MB]
Part 3. Dallas, TX - Kalamazoo, MI * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 90.7 MB]
Part 4. Kansas, City, MO / Kansas City, KS - New Orleans, LA * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 94.2 MB]
Part 5. Newport News-Hampton, VA - Santa Barbara, CA * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 92.3 MB]
Part 6. Savannah, GA - Youngstown-Warren, OH * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 85.7 MB]
Part 7. Ponce, PR - San Juan, PR * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 10.7 MB]

Vol III. City Blocks
Part 1. Bessemer, AL - Van Buren, AK * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 50.3 MB]
Part 2. Alameda, CA - Modesto, CA * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 85.9 MB]
Part 3. Montebello, CA - Santa Clara Co., CA * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 67.7 MB]
Part 4. Santa Cruz, CA - Washington, DC * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 63.1 MB]
Part 5. Daytona Beach, FL - Pocatello, ID * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 77.8 MB]
Part 6. Aurora, IL - Terre Haute, IN * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 99.4 MB]
Part 7. Cedar Rapids, IA - Hagerstown, MD * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 82.1 MB]
Part 8. Boston, MA - Inkster, MI * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 85.4 MB]
Part 9. Jackson, MI - Manchester, NH * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 95.4 MB]
Part 10. Atlantic City, NJ - New Rochelle, NY * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 51.3 MB]
Part 11. Bronx Borough, New York City - Winston - Salem, NC * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 105.2 MB]
Part 12. Akron, OH - Portland, OR * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 105.9 MB]
Part 13. Allentown, PA - York, PA * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 82.2 MB]
Part 14. Cranston, RI - Dallas, TX * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 85.3 MB]
Part 15. El Paso, TX - Salt Lake City, UT * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 95.7 MB]
Part 16. Alexandria, VA - Mayaguez, PR * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 98.5 MB]

Vol IV. Components of Inventory Change
Part 1A - 1950-1959 Components. United States and Regions. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 88.2 MB]
Part 1B - Inventory Characteristics. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 126.0 MB]
Part 2 - 1957-1959 Components. United States and Regions * - PDF, Full Document [ZIP, 87.2 MB]

Vol V. Residential Finance
Part 1 - Homeowner properties * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 58.6 MB]
Part 2 - Rental and Vacant Properties * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 15.5 MB]

Vol VI. Rural Housing. Economic Subregions * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 117.0 MB]

Series HC(S1). Special Reports for Local Housing Authorities
Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 50.9 MB]

Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 62.1 MB]

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 64.2 MB]

New York, North Caroling, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, U.S. Summary * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 86.8 MB]

Series HC(A). Advance Reports
(A1) Housing Characteristics - States. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 56.5 MB]

(A2) Housing Characteristics - Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 136.5 MB]

Series HC(P1). Preliminary Housing Unit Counts for Places of 10,000 Inhabitants or More. (unavailable)

Other Reports
Availability of Published and Unpublished Data. Rev. Feb. 1966. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 2.0 MB]

Survey of Components of Change and Residential Finance of the United States Census of Housing. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 6.4 MB]

Survey of Components of Change and Residential Finance. Principal Data-Collection Forms and Procedures. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 6.1 MB]

Other 1960 Census Reports

A Picture of the Population of Your State. * - Title Page [PDF], Full Document [ZIP, 27.6 MB]

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CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING 1960 Census

1960 Census of Population

1960 Census of Population and Housing

1960 Census of Housing

Other 1960 Census Reports

CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING
1960 Census