Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Agency History
Census Records & Family History
Historical Censuses & Surveys
Galleries & Archives
History of the U.S. Census Bureau
Factfinding is one of America’s oldest activities. In the early 1600s, a census was taken in Virginia, and people were counted in nearly all of the British colonies that became the United States at the time of the Revolutionary War. (There also were censuses in other areas of the country before they became parts of the United States.)
Following independence, there was an almost immediate need for a census of the entire Nation. Both the number of seats each state was to have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the states’ respective shares in paying for the war were to be based on population.
Census History Story of the Month
-
Monthly History StoryJanuary 2025: The 1815 Battle of New OrleansJanuary 01, 2025The United States fought and won the last major battle of the War of 1812 against the British on January 8, 1815, under the command of General Andrew Jackson.
-
Monthly History StoryDecember 2024: BasketballDecember 01, 2024On December 21, 1891, James Naismith introduces the game of basketball based on the rules he created in a game held in Springfield, MA.
-
Monthly History StoryNovember 2024: American Agriculture and Farm DataOctober 31, 2024Learn more about American agriculture, farms, and farmers using census data and records.
-
Monthly History StoryOctober 2024: The 1919 Chicago "Black Sox" ScandalOctober 01, 2024In October 1919, professional gamblers and players for the Chicago White Sox baseball team conspired to lose the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.
Explore Census Bureau History
-
Our StoriesOral histories by retiring or retired Census Bureau employees provide a special insight into census operations and planning.
-
The 72-Year RuleThe U.S. government will not release personally identifiable information about an individual to any other individual or agency until 72 years after it was collected.
-
Facts by DecadeGet a quick portrait of the U.S. by decade with pop culture milestones, population highlights, census details, and the 10 largest urban places.
-
Survey and Census HistoryLearn the history of our different censuses, surveys, and statistical programs, from the Decennial Census and Economic Census to demographic and more.
-
Census ArtifactsLearn more about some of these interesting artifacts and their importance to the censuses and surveys we conduct.
-
Teacher and Student ResourcesCensus data can give students a deeper understanding of historic events.
-
Data@MuseumsData@Museums shows how demographic, agriculture, and economic census data are used to educate visitors.
-
Census Bureau Data Collection InnovationsAs the science of statistics advanced, the Census Bureau changed and updated its methodology.
Availability of Census Records
Individual census records from 1790 to 1950 are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration, not the U.S. Census Bureau. Publications related to the census data collected from 1790 to 2020 are available in the Census Bureau Library. Visit the National Archives Web site to access 1940 and 1950 Census records. Decennial census records are confidential for 72 years to protect respondents' privacy. Records from the 1950 to 2010 censuses can only be obtained by the person named in the record or their heir after submitting form BC-600 or BC-600sp (Spanish). Online subscription services are available to access the 1790–1950 census records. Many public libraries provide access to these services free of charge to their patrons. Contact your local library to inquire if it has subscribed to one of these services.
Page Last Revised - December 12, 2024
✕
Is this page helpful?
Yes
No
Yes
No✕
NO THANKS
255 characters maximum
255 characters maximum reached
255 characters maximum reached
✕
Thank you for your feedback.
Comments or suggestions?
Comments or suggestions?
