LibGuides: Using the Census Website: 1970

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Call Number: REF HA 202 .P76 2016
ISBN: 9781598887297
Publication Date: 2014-12-05

Census Fast Facts by Decade
Census Overview by Decade
Index of Questions, 1790-2000 The first censuses counted the population and provided information on population by county. In 1790, the census also categorized white males by age: those under age 16 and those age 16 and older. Over the years, Congress has authorized additional questions, enabling us to better understand the nation's inhabitants and their activities and needs. In fact, one of the nation's founders, James Madison, suggested that the census takers ask additional questions that would help lawmakers better understand the needs of the nation. For example, the 1810 Census also collected economic data (on the quantity and value of manufactured goods). In 1850, the census began collecting "social statistics" (information about taxes, education, crime, and value of estate, etc.) and mortality data. In 1940, additional questions were asked of a sample of the population, including questions on internal migration, veteran status, and the number of children ever born to women. These questions helped society understand the impact of the Great Depression. Through the decades, the census has collected data on race, ancestry, education, health, housing, and transportation. An examination of the questions asked during each census illustrates changes in our nation's understanding of race, the impact of immigration, growth of the Hispanic population, and computer usage. As a result of the census's evolution, the constitutionally mandated census has grown to provide important information about the U.S. population and its housing. Coupled with data from the economic and government censuses and demographic and economic surveys, the U.S. Census Bureau provides governments, scholars, planners, businesses, and individuals the data they need to build schools, plan highways, open businesses, and distribute the billions of dollars in federal spending that sustains a growing population.

1970 Census Information

Highlights:

19th Decennial Census
U.S. Population: 203,302,031.
Cost: $247,653,000.

Questions (Population):

The 1970 census was the first to operate on a true mail-out mail-back system. Because enumerators were only sent out to collect information from non-responding residents, the census questionnaire was designed to be filled out by the members of each household. The first eight questions were asked of every resident. All following questions, including the entire census of housing, were asked of a sample of either five, fifteen, or twenty percent of residents. The questionnaires collected the following information, listed by question number:

The following questions comprised the "short form," and were of all residents.

Name
Relationship to head of the household
Sex
Color or race
Month and year of birth, age at last birthday
Month of birth
Year of birth
Marital status
The questionnaire provided eight spots for members of a household. If all eight were used, are there more members of this household?
Was anyone left out of the list of household members because there was some question about whether or not he or she should be listed?
Was anyone listed who is away from home right now?
Did anyone stay here on March 31 who is not already listed?

The following questions were asked of only a sample of respondents

1. Where was this person born?
2. Is this person's origin or descent...
  - Mexican
  - Puerto Rican
  - Cuban
  - Central or South American
  - Other Spanish
  - None of these
What country was the person's father born in?
What country was the person's mother born in?
1. For persons born in a foreign country- Is the person naturalized?
2. WHen did the person come to the United States to stay?
What language, other than English, was spoken in the person's home as a child?
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Other
- None, only English
When did this person move into his house or apartment?
1. Did this person live in this house on April 1, 1965
2. If no, where did he live on April 1, 1965?
Since February 1, 1970, has this person attended regular school or college at any time?
- No
- Yes, public
- Yes, parochial
- Yes, other private
What is the highest grade (or year) of school that this person has ever attended?
Did this person finish the highest grade he attended?
When was this person born?
- Before April 1956 (please go on with questions 24 through 41)
- April 1956 or later (population questions end here)
1. Has this person been married more than once?
2. When did he get married, or married for the first time?
3. If the person had been married more than once, did the first marriage end because of the death of his spouse?
If the person is a girl or a woman- how many babies has she ever had, not counting stillbirths?
1. If the person is a man- has he ever served in the Army, Navy, or other Armed Forces of the United States?
2. Was it during the...
  - Vietnam Conflict
  - Korean War
  - World War II
  - World War I
  - Any other time
1. Has this person ever completed a vocational training program?
2. If yes, what was the person's main field of vocational training?
  - Business or other office work
  - Nursing or other health fields
  - Trades and crafts (mechanic, electrician, beautician, etc.)
  - Engineering or science technician; draftsman
  - Agriculture or home economics
  - Other
1. Does this person have a health or physical condition which limits the kind or amount of work he can do at a job? If the person is 65 years or older, skip to question 29.
2. Does the person's health or physical condition keep him from holding any job at all?
3. If "Yes" to a or b- how long has the person been limited in his ability to work?
1. Did this person work at any time last week? (If no, the person was to skip to question 30)
2. If yes, how many hours did the person work last week?
3. Where did the person work last week?
  1. Address
  2. Name of city, town, village, etc.
  3. Inside of the limits of this city, town, or village?
  4. County
  5. State
  6. Zip code
4. How did the person get to work last week?
  - Driver, private auto
  - Passenger, private auto
  - Bus or streetcar
  - Subway or elevated
  - Railroad
  - Taxicab
  - Walked only
  - Worked at home
  - Other means

After completing this question, the person was to skip to question 33

Does this person have a job or business from which he was temporarily absent or on layoff last week?
1. Has the person been looking for work during the past four weeks?
2. If yes, was there any reason the person could not take a job last week?
  - Yes, already had a job
  - Yes, because of this person's temporary illness
  - Yes, for other reasons (in school, etc.)
  - No, could have taken a job
When did the person last work at all, even for a few days?
1. For whom did the the person work?
2. What kind of business or industry was this?
3. Was this work mainly...
  - Manufacturing
  - Wholesale trade
  - Retail trade
  - Other
1. What kind of work was the person doing?
2. What were the person's most important activities and duties?
3. What was the person's job title?
Was this person an...
- Employee of a private company
- Federal government employee
- State government employee
- Local government employee
- Self-employed in an incorporated business
- Self-employed in an unincorporated business
- Working without pay in a family business or farm
In April 1965, what state did this person live in?
In April 1965, was this person...
- Working at a job or business
- In the Armed Forces
- Attending college
If working at a job or business in April 1965, describe this person's chief activity or business at that time
1. What kind of business or industry was this?
2. What kind of work was the person doing?
3. Was the person an employee of a private company or government agency or self-employed or an unpaid family worker?
1. Last year, did the person work at all, even for a few days?
2. If yes, how many weeks did the person work in 1969?
Earnings in 1969
1. How much did this person earn in 1969 in wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs?
2. How much did this person earn in 1969 from his own non-farm business, professional practice, or partnership?
3. How much did he earn in 1969 from his own farm?
Income other than earnings in 1969
1. How much did this person receive in 1969 from Social Security or Railroad Retirement?
2. How much did this person receive in 1969 from public assistance or welfare payments?
3. How much did this person receive in 1969 from all other sources?

1970 Census Fast Facts
1970 Census Overview
Index of Questions, 1790-2000 The first censuses counted the population and provided information on population by county. In 1790, the census also categorized white males by age: those under age 16 and those age 16 and older. Over the years, Congress has authorized additional questions, enabling us to better understand the nation's inhabitants and their activities and needs. In fact, one of the nation's founders, James Madison, suggested that the census takers ask additional questions that would help lawmakers better understand the needs of the nation. For example, the 1810 Census also collected economic data (on the quantity and value of manufactured goods). In 1850, the census began collecting "social statistics" (information about taxes, education, crime, and value of estate, etc.) and mortality data. In 1940, additional questions were asked of a sample of the population, including questions on internal migration, veteran status, and the number of children ever born to women. These questions helped society understand the impact of the Great Depression. Through the decades, the census has collected data on race, ancestry, education, health, housing, and transportation. An examination of the questions asked during each census illustrates changes in our nation's understanding of race, the impact of immigration, growth of the Hispanic population, and computer usage. As a result of the census's evolution, the constitutionally mandated census has grown to provide important information about the U.S. population and its housing. Coupled with data from the economic and government censuses and demographic and economic surveys, the U.S. Census Bureau provides governments, scholars, planners, businesses, and individuals the data they need to build schools, plan highways, open businesses, and distribute the billions of dollars in federal spending that sustains a growing population.
Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000
Population & Housing Items on the General Schedule of the Census, 1790-2000

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