Census Records

September 9, 2026

Federal population census schedules are among the most heavily used records at the National Archives. This guide explains what the schedules contain, what you must supply to order a copy of a page, and where to look first if you do not yet know the exact page.

What the census records are

As required by Article 1, Section 2, of the Constitution, a census has been taken in the United States every 10 years since 1790 to enumerate (count) the population for apportioning representatives to the lower house of Congress. Information about households and individuals was collected by house-to-house canvas. The filled-in forms constitute the population schedules for each decennial census.

The census records for many states are incomplete, particularly for those before 1850, and different information was recorded each census year.

Why the most recent census you can order is 1950

To protect the privacy of the people enumerated, population schedules are restricted and are only released 72 years after the census is taken. The 1950 census, released in 2022, is the most recent one available for research. The 1960 census stays closed until 2032.

Federal population census records from 1790 to 1950 are available for research at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC and at National Archives locations throughout the country. Many public and private libraries and most State archives have also purchased copies of the censuses for their State or region. The Federal population census schedules are not available at the Presidential Libraries.

Almost all of the 1890 schedules were destroyed by fire in 1921.

What you must supply to order

The National Archives does not search census indexes and does not provide census research services. It can provide copies of specifically identified pages of Federal decennial population census schedules. To use this service you must provide the:

name of the individual listed
exact page number
census year
state
county
enumeration district (1880 to 1920 censuses only)

If you do not know the exact page

Consult an index to the census records first. Microfilm copies of the Federal population census schedules and the original indexes are available for research at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and at National Archives locations throughout the country. Many private firms have produced statewide indexes to census records for specific years, and these are held in libraries with genealogical collections. Several websites also carry census indexes; some are available by personal subscription and others can be reached through your local library.

From an index you can determine the exact page on which a family was enumerated. With that page number you can order a copy of the individual census page from the National Archives.

Where to read more

Sample images

These show the kind of record this reproduction contains. They are examples only and are not your record.

An 1820 Federal population census schedule.

Example: A page from an 1820 Federal population census schedule

A 1930 Federal population census schedule.

Example: A page from a 1930 Federal population census schedule (PDF)