Census Documentation, Guides, and History

1930 | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | In General

1930 Census

• Alphabetical Index of Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1930 Z4)
• Classified Index of Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1930a Z4)

1940 Census

• Catalog of 16th Decennial Census Publications. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.163:1)
• Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940. Housing. Index of Reports. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HD7293 A5 1940k)
• Jenkins, Robert M. 1985. Procedural History of the 1940 Census of Population and Housing. (Davis Reference HA201 1940)
• Alphabetical Index of Occupations and Industries. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1940 Z4)
• Classified Index of Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1940 Z42)

1950 Census

• Key to Published and Tabulated Data for Small Areas. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.2:D26/2)
• The 1950 Censuses: How They Were Taken. Procedural Studies of the 1950 Censuses, No. 2, Population, Housing, Agriculture, Irrigation, Drainage. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.950-10:2)
• Principal Data Collection Forms Used in the 1950 Censuses. Population, Housing, Agriculture, Irrigation, Drainage. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.950-2/a:D262). "Preprint of Appendix in 'The 1950 Censuses: How They Were Taken'"
• Alphabetical Index of Occupations and Industries. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 C3.950-2:Oc1/rev.)
• Classified Index of Occupations and Industries. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1950 Z43)

1960 Census

• Census User Dictionary. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Desk Federal Documents Census C3.6/2:C33/2/1968)
• 1960 Census of Population and Housing: Availability of Published and Unpublished Data. Data Access Descriptions No. 35. Census Bureau. 1974. (Davis Reference Federal Documents Microfiche C3.240/7:35)
• 1960 Census of Population and Housing: Procedural History. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.223:P94/2)
• Principal Data-Collection Forms and Procedures. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.223:F76)
• Processing the Data. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.223:P94)
• Geographic Identification Code Scheme. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 C3.223/13:960/1; HA201 1960 A542)
• Alphabetical Index of Occupations and Industries. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 C3.223:Oc1/960-2; HA201 1960 A452)
• Alphabetical Index of Occupations and Industries (1968 Revision). Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 C3.223:Oc1/960-2/rev.; HA201 1960 A452 suppl.)
• Classified Index of Occupations and Industries. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 C3.223:Oc1/2; HA201 1950 A453)
• Odum Institute for Research in Social Science has a number of technical documents available for 1960 census data.

1970 Census

1970 Census: Guides

• The 1970 Census and You, A General Introduction to Census Data: Subjects, Areas, Reports, Tapes, Microfilm. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.2:C33/27/977). A concise overview.
• Census User Dictionary. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Desk Federal Documents Census C3.6/2:C33/2/1968)
• 1970 Census Users' Guide. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Desk Federal Documents Census C3.6/2:C33/2/970-2)
• Reports Related to the 1970 Census of Population and Housing. (Data Access Descriptions.) Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.240/7:39/2) "This is a comprehensive listing of printed reports published and issued by the Bureau of the Census as a result of the 1970 Census of Population and Housing."
• Census Geography. (Data Access Descriptions.) Census Bureau. (Davis Federal Documents C3.240/7:33/2) Explains "geographic concepts, products, and programs" focusing on the 1970 census. Included are: a table showing what publications and tapes include statistics for what geographical areas, diagrams and maps showing the hierarchical relationships among 1970 census geographic areas, a table showing what maps are available for what geographical areas, definitions of geographic concepts, and much more useful information.

1970 Census: Indexes to the Census

• American Statistics Index. Congressional Information Service. The 1974 Annual and Retrospective Edition indexes the 1970 census. See the "Census of Population", "Census of Population and Housing", and other subject-oriented subject headings.
• Index to Selected 1970 Census Reports. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.223:In2/970)

1970 Census: Other

• 1970 Census of Population and Housing: Procedural History. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.223:P 94/2/970)
• Geographic Identification Code Scheme. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 C3.223/13-2:970/CT.; HA201 1970 A4525)
• Alphabetical Index of Industries and Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 C3.223:OC1/970; HA201 1970 A58)
• Classified Index of Industries and Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 C3.223:OC1/2/970/corr.; HA201 1970 A567)
• 1970 Census of Population and Housing. Data-Collection Forms and Procedures. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1970 .A4524)
• Reference Manual on Population and Housing Statistics from the Census Bureau. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents Microfiche C3.6/2:P81/978)
• A Student's Workbook on the 1970 Census. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.2:C33/28/970/rev.). "The major topics covered include the publication program, census geographic concepts, subject data content, and reference sources. Exercises are provided to reinforce the learning of these basics and to involve the reader in the actual use of 1970 census publications."
• Appendix B: List of Areas with Approved Census Tracts in 1970. Census Bureau. (Davis Library Reference Federal Documents Microfiche C3.6/2:C33/970) Includes a very useful table showing, for each geographical area, the number of tracts in 1970 and the decennial census in which tracts were first used.
• Data Access Description. Census Bureau. These guides are written on a variety of decennial census-related topics. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.240/7:(nos.))
• Odum Institute for Research in Social Science has a number of technical documents available for 1970 census data.

1980 Census

1980 Census: Guides

• Users' Guide, Part A. Text. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Desk Federal Documents Census C3.223/22:80-R1-A, HA201 1980jfa pt. A)
• Users' Guide, Part B. Glossary. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Desk Federal Documents Census C3.223/22:80-R1-B, HA201 1980jfa pt. B)
• Census '80: Continuing the Factfinder Tradition. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.2:C33/34). This text prepared for students participating in an internship program provides 490 pages on history, background, overview, issues, concepts and definitions, governmental areas, geography, data analysis, demography, 1980 census plans and procedures, products and services, and the use of census data in a variety of disciplines.
• Guide to 1980 Census Data on the Elderly. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.6/2:El2/2). "Intended as a 'one-stop' reference book for locating sources of 1980 census data pertaining to the older population."
• Long, C. Michael. 1983. Understanding Census Data: A Quick and Simplified Reference for Users of Census Data. (Davis Folio HA201 1980o)
• United Community Planning Corporation. 1982. Making Sense of the Census: A Users Handbook for the 1980 Census. (Davis Reference HA201 1980n)

1980 Census: Indexes to the Census

• Guide to 1980 U.S. Decennial Census Publications: Detailed Abstracts and Indexes Derived from the American Statistics Index. Congressional Information Service. (Davis Reference Electronic Documents HA37 U55 G85 1986)
• Farrington, Polly-Alida. 1985. Subject Index to the 1980 Census of Population and Housing. (Davis Reference HA201 1980zz)

1980 Census: Other

• History. Part A. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents Microfiche C3.223/22:80-R2A)
• History. Part C. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents Microfiche C3.223/22:80-R2 pt. C)
• Alphabetical Index of Industries and Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1980ah; C3.223/22:80-R3)
• Alphabetical Index of Industries and Occupations. 2nd ed. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents Microfiche C3.223:Oc1/980-2)
• Classified Index of Industries and Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1980ai; C3.223/22:80-R-4)
• Geographic Identification Code Scheme. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1980jff; C3.223/22:80-R5)
• Census '80: Projects for Students. Census Bureau. (Davis Library Reference Federal Documents Microfiche C3.2:C33/36) "The exercises in this workbook have been prepared for use by instructors of classes that deal with the use of census data or the acquisition of census-related skills."
• Odum Institute for Research in Social Science has a number of technical documents available for 1980 census data.

1990 Census

1990 Census: Guides

• Guide. Part A. Text. (PDF) Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Desk Federal Documents Census C3.223/22:90-R1-A/pt. A, HA201 1990ec pt. A)
• Guide. Part B. Glossary. (PDF) Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Desk Federal Documents Census C3.223/22:90-R1-B/pt. B, HA201 1990ec pt. B)
• Barrett, Richard E. 1994. Using the 1990 U.S. Census for Research. (Davis Reference HA201 1990ad)
• A Guide to the Decennial Census with a focus on 1990 and 2000 census data. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
• Census Guides. University of Michigan.
• Census of Population and Housing: 1990. University of Michigan.
• Odum Institute for Research in Social Science has a number of documents available for 1990 census data.

1990 Census: Indexes to the Census

• Guide to 1990 U.S. Decennial Census Publications: Detailed Abstracts and Indexes Derived from the American Statistics Index. Congressional Information Service. (Davis Reference Electronic Documents HA201 1990zd)
• Lavin, Michael R., Jane Weintrop, and Cynthia Cornelius. 1997. Subject Index to the 1990 Census of Population and Housing. (Davis Reference Desk HA201 1990ze) An excellent index to print (CPH, CP, CH) and CD-ROM (STF) series.
• Subject Index to 1990 U.S. Census Data on CD-ROM's in Van Pelt Reference. University of Pennsylvania Library. This index can be used to access the 1990 census CD-ROM collection.

1990 Census: CD-ROM Technical Documentation

• Summary Tape File 1 on CD-ROM Technical Documentation. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Electronic Documents C3.282:990/Doc; via the Census Bureau's 1990 Census Lookup, Technical Documentation; and via Oregon State's Government Information Sharing Project). Includes very useful glossary, subject locators, and lists of tables.
• Summary Tape File 1B Extract on CD-ROM Technical Documentation. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Electronic Documents C3.282:990/Doc-2) Includes very useful glossary, subject locators, and lists of tables.
• Summary Tape File 3 on CD-ROM Technical Documentation. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Electronic Documents C3.282/2:990 Doc; via the Census Bureau's 1990 Census Lookup, Technical Documentation; and via Oregon State's Government Information Sharing Project.) Includes very useful glossary, subject locators, and lists of tables.
• Odum Institute for Research in Social Science has a number of technical documents available for 1990 census data on CD-ROM.

1990 Census: Tape Technical Documentation

• Odum Institute for Research in Social Science has a number of technical documents available for 1990 census data on tape.

1990 Census: American FactFinder

• American FactFinder Tutorials and Training Materials. Census Bureau.
• A Guide to American FactFinder Geography and Functionality. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
• American FactFinder. A tutorial from the University of Michigan.

1990 Census: Histories

• History. Part A. Census Bureau. 1993. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA 201 1990eo pt. A; C3.223/22:1990-CPH-2A) Chapter 4, Chapter 6, Chapter 9. Covers "such topics as checking for broken type in printed questionnaires and leaving requests for appointments with residents not at home. However, this history at times goes beyond "how" into "why", to picture the census in its place as part of our American social, economic, and political scene. Consequently, this series discusses, where appropriate, some of the forces-litigation, legislation, perceived user needs, public perception, budgetary constraints, and the like-that shaped the 1990 census and its outcome. Chapter 4, on addresses and questionnaires printing, concentrates on how the Census Bureau compiled the control lists for mailing and canvassing and had contractors publish several hundred million questionnaires. Chapter 6, on the field enumeration, describes how the census was taken across the 50 States and the District of Columbia (Puerto Rico and Outlying areas are covered in chapter 13). Chapter 9 deals, in as non-technical a way as possible, with statistical sampling and estimation as they were applied in the census."
• History. Part B. Census Bureau. 1995. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA 201 1990eo pt. B; C3.223/22:1990-CPH-2B) Chapter 2. Planning the Census; Chapter 3. Census Promotional Program; Chapter 10. Data Products Dissemination. "Chapter 2, on census planning, describes the Census Bureau's efforts to solicit and integrate advice from data users on 1990 census data collection, questionnaire content, and data dissemination; the internal management and coordinating committees established to oversee census planning and operations; and the test census program that tried out and evaluated questionnaire design and content, data-collection procedures, outreach and promotion, data processing, geographic support, and data-product design and promotion. Chapter 5, on census promotion, examines the agency's efforts to increase people's awareness of the decennial census's importance and to persuade them to participate voluntarily. Chapter 10, on data products and dissemination, discusses the 19900 census tabulation and publication program, the various data products and the media on which they were released, and the Bureau's user-training and data-dissemination programs."
• History. Part C. Census Bureau. 1995. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA 201 1990eo pt. C; C3.223/22:1990-CPH-2C) Chapter 1. Introduction and Overview; Chapter 3. Census Geography; Chapter 7. Processing Offices--Establishment and Organization; Chapter 8. Pretabulation Processing. "Chapter 1 provides an overview of the major components of the 1990 decennial census, from planning, preparation, and promotion to data collection, processing, and dissemination, and census-related litigation. Chapter 3 discusses geographic preparations and support for the census , including the development and uses of the Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) System. Chapter 7 describes the establishment, administrative functions, and closing of the Census Bureau's seven decennial census processing offices. Chapter 8 reviews the coding, editing, data- processing, and related operations that took place in the processing offices."
• History. Part D. Census Bureau. 1996. (Davis Reference Federal Documents Row 12 HA 201 1990eo pt. D; C3.223/22:1990-CPH-2D) Chapter 11. Census Research, Evaluation, and Experimental (REX) Program; Chapter 12. Legislation and Litigation; Chapter 13. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Islands Territories; Chapter 14. 1990 Census Content: Population and Housing Items; Appendix A. 1990 Decennial Census Appropriations, Obligations, and Costs. "Describes the 1990 content (that is, the population and housing items) and its procedures (in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Territories). It also discusses the Census Research, Evaluation, and Experimental (REX) program. The text includes both legislation and litigation, while an appendix deals with finances. These detail appropriations, costs, and obligations in each fiscal year."

1990 Census: Maps

• What Do I Need to Map Out 1990 Census Data? Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.2:C33/45)

1990 Census: Other

• 1990 Census Questionnaires and Other Public-Use Forms Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1990ei CPH-R-5; C3.223/22:90-R-5)
• Geographic Indentification [sic] Code Scheme. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Electronic Resource C3.275:G29/994-2)
• Alphabetical Index of Industries and Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1990en CPH-R-3; C3.223/22:90-R-3)
• Classified Index of Industries and Occupations. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Row 12 HA201 1990em CPH-R-4; C3.223/22:90-R-4)

2000 Census

2000 Census: General Guides and Tutorials

• Census 2000 via the Census Bureau
• Strength in Numbers: Your Guide to Census 2000 Redistricting Data (PDF) Census Bureau.
• Census 2000 Geographic Definitions. Census Bureau.
• Public Use Presentation Library. Census Bureau. "The Public Use Presentation Library is a collection of downloadable PowerPoint presentations, including slides and speaker notes, designed to inform data users about our various products and services. "
• Public Use Training Modules. Census Bureau.
• Presentations from the Texas SDC/BIDC Annual Affiliates Meeting (April 16-18, 2001), PDF versions of presentations at the Texas State Data Center meeting. Most focus on Texas, but many are of more general interest.
• Census Tutorial. Sponsored by the Alaska Library Association Government Documents Roundtable; presented by Daniel Cornwall, Alaska State Library
• 2000 U.S. Census, University of California, Berkeley
• Census 2000 Quick Links, University of California at San Diego
• Census Watch, ESRI
• Census and Demographics, Mansfield University
• Census 2000, University of Michigan
• A Guide to the Decennial Census with a focus on 1990 and 2000 census data, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Census 2000 Resources, University of Pennsylvania
• Census 2000, Proximity
• 2000 US Census Data: Data and Resources, Geostat at the University of Virginia

2000 Census: American FactFinder

• A Guide to American FactFinder Geography and Functionality, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Census 2000: American FactFinder Workshop, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Census 2000: American FactFinder Workshop (and more), Barbara Levergood for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, November 2001
• Finding Census Data and Maps Online, Barbara Levergood for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, November 2001
• American FactFinder Tutorials and Training Materials, Census Bureau
• American FactFinder tutorial from the University of Michigan

2000 Census: Technical Documentation

• Access to technical documentation and other files via the Census Bureau
• Summary File 1 Technical Documentation (PDF) Census Bureau.
• Summary File 2 Technical Documentation (PDF) Census Bureau.
• Profiles of General Demographic Characteristics Technical Documentation (PDF) Census Bureau.
• Race and Hispanic or Latino Summary File Technical Documentation (PDF) Census Bureau.
• Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File Technical Documentation (PDF) Census Bureau.
• See also Census 2000 Block Data Summary File Technical Documentation (PDF) Census Bureau.
• README files for Census 2000 data delivered via FTP are available in the appropriate directories
• Odum Institute for Research in Social Science has technical documents available for 2000 census data.

2000 Census: Maps

• How to Print out Census 2000 Maps in PDF Format, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Provides techniques for printing out these maps on the paper of your choice, providing flexible control over map extent, display resolution, and map size. Printing From the PDF Map Files (Census Bureau) provides detailed instructions for how to use Adobe Acrobat Reader to display and print maps.
• Census 2000: A Workshop on Maps in PDF Format, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Maps for Census 2000: Directions We Can Take. Texas Library Association, March 29, 2001
• Maps for Census 2000: Directions We Can Take. 2001 Federal Depository Conference and Fall Depository Library Council Meeting, Wednesday, October 17, 2001

In General

In General: Guides and Encyclopedias

• Anderson, Margo J. ed. 2000. Encyclopedia of the U.S. Census. (Davis Reference HA37 U55 C66 2000)
• Lavin, Michael R. 1996. Understanding the Census: A Guide for Marketers, Planners, Grant Writers and Other Data Users. (Davis Reference Desk HA37 U55 L385 1996)
• Geographic Areas Reference Manual. 1994. Census Bureau; Geographic Areas Reference Manual via Odum Institute; (Davis Reference Electronic Documents C3.6/2:G29/4) The "Bible" of census geography.
• A Guide to State and Local Census Geography (PDF via Odum Institute). 1993. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Electronic Documents C3.6/2:G29/3)
• Thorndale, William and William Dollarhide. 1987. Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920. (Davis Reference G1201.F7 T467 1987). Organized by state, "shows county outline maps at ten-year intervals, the old county boundaries being superimposed over the modern lines".
• Census of Population and Housing: Historical, 1790-1980 from the University of Michigan.
• Sources of U.S. Census Data and Information, via Odum Institute

In General: Catalogs

• Bureau of the Census Catalog of Publications, 1790-1972. Census Bureau. "This volume comprises two catalogs. The Catalog of United States Census Publications, 1790-1945 [Dubester] was published in 1950 and lists all materials issued by the Bureau of the Census and its predecessor organizations starting with the first census report of 1790. The new Bureau of the Census Catalog of Publications, 1946-1972 updates the historical compilation and describes more than 60,000 reports issued by the Bureau since 1946. The 1790-1945 Catalog has been out of print for several years and is now reissued with the new Catalog in order to provide a complete bibliography of sources for Bureau of the Census statistics from 1790 to December 31, 1972."
• Cook, Kevin L. 1996. Dubester's U.S. Census Bibliography with SuDocs Class Numbers and Indexes. (Davis Reference Wall Shelf 13 HA214 C665 1996) A catalog of U.S. Census publications from 1790 through 1945 with a short description of each publication.
• Census Catalog and Guide. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference WS-13)

In General: Indexes

• Schulze, Suzanne. 1983. Population Information in Nineteenth Century Census Volumes. (Davis Reference Z7164 D3 S44 1983)
• Schulze, Suzanne. 1985. Population Information in Twentieth Century Census Volumes: 1900-1940. (Davis Reference Z7164 D3 S45 1985)
• Schulze, Suzanne. 1988. Population Information in Twentieth Century Census Volumes: 1950-1980. (Davis Reference Z7164 D3 S46 1988)
• Topical Index of Population Census Reports, 1900-1930. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference HA201 1930 .Z2)

In General: Questionnaires

• 200 Years of U.S. Census Taking: Population and Housing Questions, 1790-1990. Census Bureau. 1989. (Davis Reference Desk Federal Documents C3.2:T93.) Includes questionnaires and a very useful bibliography. Some similar older volumes:
  • Population and Housing Inquiries in U.S. Decennial Censuses, 1790-1970. Working Paper 39. 1973. Census Bureau. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C56.229:39.)
  • Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions, 1790-1980. Census Bureau. 1979. (Davis Reference Federal Documents C3.2:C33/33.)

In General: Miscellaneous

• United States Decennial Census Publications, 1790-1970. Research Publications. (Davis Microforms Collection Microfilm 1-5056) UNC-Chapel Hill holdings are complete for the 1790-1940 censuses. This collection includes documentation. See the accompanying print guide: Bibliography and Reel Index: A Guide to the Microfilm Edition of United States Decennial Census Publications, 1790-1970. See the catalog record for more details.
• The History and Growth of the United States Census. U.S. Senate. 56th Congress, 1st Session. (Senate Document 194. Serial Set 3856.) 1900. (Davis Reference Federal Documents Serial Set 3856.) Covers 1790-1890.

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See also Census Questionnaires.
Back to A Guide to the Decennial Census with a focus on 1990 and 2000 census data

Barbara Levergood, Former Electronic Documents Librarian

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