LibGuides: Using the Census Website: 1950

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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.

1950 Census Information

Highlights:

17th Decennial Census.
U.S. Population: 151,325,798
Cost: $91,462,000.

Questions (Population):

The 1950 census population questionnaire asked fewer questions than its predecessor; the full population was asked only 20 questions. As in 1940, a 5 percent sample was asked an additional slate of questions. Enumerators asked the following questions, listed by column:

Population

Name of street, avenue or road where the household is located
Home or apartment number
Serial number of dwelling unit
Is this house on a farm (or ranch)?
If no, is this house on a place of three or more acres?
Corresponding agriculture questionnaire number
Name
Relationship to head
Race
Sex
How old was this person on his last birthday?
Is this person now married, widowed, divorced, separated, or never married?
- Enumerators were to enter "Mar" for married, "Wd" for widowed, "D" for divorced, "Sep" for separated, or "Nev" for never married
What State or country was the person born in?
If foreign born, is the person naturalized?

For persons 14 years of age and over

What was this person doing most of last week - working, keeping house, or something else?
- Enumerators were to record "Wk" for working, "H" for keeping house, "U" for unable to work, or "Ot" for other
If the person was "keeping house" or "something else" in question 15, did the person do any work at all last week, not counting work around the house? (Including work-for-pay, in his own business, working on a farm or unpaid family work)
If the person answered "no" to question 16, was he looking for work?
If the person answered "no" to question 17, even if he didn't work last week, does he have a job or business?
If the person was working, how many hours did he or she work in the last week?
1. What kind of work does the person do?
2. What kind of business or industry is the person in?
3. Class of worker the person is.
  - Enumerators were to mark "P" for private employment, "G" for government employment, "O" for own business, or "NP" for working without pay

Supplemental Questions (for a 5 percent sample of the population)

For all ages

Was the person living in the same house a year ago?
If no to question 21, was the person living on a farm a year ago?
If no to question 21, was the person living in the same county a year ago?
If no to question 23...
1. What county (or nearest place) was he living in a year ago?
2. What state or foreign country was he living in a year ago?
What country were the person's mother and father born in?
What is the highest grade of school that the person has attended?
- Enumerators were to mark "0" for no school; "K" for kindergarten; "S1" through "S12" depending on the last year of elementary or secondary school attended; "C1" through "C4" depending on the last year of undergraduate college education attended; or "C5" for any graduate or professional school.
Did the person finish this grade?
Has the person attended school since February 1st?
- Enumerators could check a box for "yes" or "no" for those under thirty; for those over thirty, they were to check a box for "30 or over."

For persons 14 years and older

If the person is looking for work, how many weeks has he been looking for work?
Last year, how many weeks did this person not work at all, not counting work around the house?
Last year, how much money did the person earn working as an employee for wages or salary?
Last year, how much money did the person earn working at his own business, professional occupation, or farm?
Last year, how much money did the person receive from interest, dividends, veteran's allowances, pensions, rents, or other income (aside from earnings)?
If this person is the head of the household: last year, how much money did his relatives in this household earn working for wages or salary?
If this person is the head of the household: last year, how much money did the person earn working at his own business, professional occupation, or farm?
If this person is the head of the household: last year, how much money did the person receive from interest, dividends, veteran's allowances, pensions, rents, or other income (aside from earnings)?
If male: did he ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during...
1. World War II
2. World War I
3. Any other time, including present service
To enumerator: if the person worked in the last year, is there any entry in columns 20a, 20b, or 20c?
- If yes, skip to question 36; if no, make entries for questions 35a, 35b, and 35c.
1. What kind of work does this person doe in his job?
2. What kind or business or industry does this person work in?
3. Class of worker
If ever married, has this person been married before?
If married, widowed, divorced, or separated, how many years since this event occurred?
If female and ever married, how many children has she ever borne, not counting stillbirths?

1950 Census Fast Facts
1950 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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