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  • 1950 United States Census
    • Main contributor: Craig Kanalley

    The 1950 U.S. Census, the 17th decennial census of the United States, was released to the public on April 1, 2022. It includes information about more than 150 million residents of the United States as of April 1, 1950.

    The census includes the 48 continental United States and the District of Columbia, and there are separate chapters for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Canal Zone, Guam and the Virgin Islands of the United States.[1] The census found that the U.S. population increased 14.5% from 1940 to 1950.[1]

    In addition to name, age, marital status, place of birth, and occupation, the 1950 Census asks if the person worked in the last week and if so, how many hours they worked. Select individuals were asked additional questions as part of "sample lines" at the bottom of each census page. These questions included the highest grade of school attended, the amount of money earned in wages or salary in 1949, and if they served in the U.S. Armed forces during World War II or World War I.[2]

    The 1950 U.S. Census can be searched on MyHeritage. In addition to looking by name, you can filter by birthdate, birthplace, residence, and use keywords or relationships. It's worth looking at the actual census image to see if the person you're looking for was asked supplemental questions at the bottom of the page.

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    Historical significanceHistorical significance

    mennonite church in south dakota, united states in 1950
    Overhead view of Mennonite Church site in South Dakota, United States in 1950

    The U.S. Census Bureau provides the following context around the release of the 1950 U.S. Census:

    The 1950 Census opens a window into one of the most transformative periods in modern American history, revealing a country of roughly 151 million people who had just recently emerged from the hardships and uncertainties of World War II and the Great Depression.[3]

    The 1950 U.S. Census provides a look at the growth of suburbanization in the United States, as those living in crowded cities gravitated toward outlying areas, building new population centers.[3] It also captures the beginning of the "baby boom," a surge in births in the United States that started in 1946 as part of the post-World War II era.[4]

    Header informationHeader information

    Header information for the 1950 U.S. Census
    Header information for the 1950 U.S. Census
    Location Other information
    1. State A. Date sheet started
    2. County B. Name of enumerator
    3. Incorporated Place or Township C. Checked by
    4. Enumeration District Number D. Sheet number
    5. Institution

    The Header information provides vital location-based information. It's possible to search for your family or people of interest in a relevant neighborhood by locating the enumeration district. Steve Morse's "One Step" website makes it easy to find enumeration district maps. The Institution line (line 5) may be used for a variety of locations like hotels, large rooming houses, institutions, or military installations.

    Column informationColumn information

    Column information for the 1950 U.S. Census
    Column information for the 1950 U.S. Census




    A total of 22 columns make up each 1950 U.S. Census sheet.

    LocationLocation

    Columns 1-6 provide location information and they were provided by the head of household. The name of the street or road (column 1) is provided first, followed by the number of the house and/or apartment (column 2). That is followed by a dwelling number (column 3), whether the location is a farm or ranch (column 4), and if the place has three or more acres (column 5). The final column indicates the agricultural questionnaire number, when relevant.

    NameName

    Column 7 indicates the name of each individual. It follows a last name first format, for example "Smith, Joseph." The questionnaire asks the enumerator to list all individuals living at each location in a specific order: the head of household, his wife, unmarried children, married sons and daughters and their families, other relatives, and finally any "other persons."

    RelationshipRelationship

    Column 8 indicates the relationship to the head of household.

    Vital informationVital information

    Columns 9-14 provide the following information:

    • Column 9: Race. The options provided: White (W), Negro (Neg), American Indian (Ind), Japanese (Jap), Chinese (Chi), Filipine (Fil). If none of those races apply, it says to spell out the race.
    • Column 10: Sex. Male (M) or Female (F).
    • Column 11: Age. The individual's age in years at their last birthday.
    • Column 12: Marital Status. The options provided: Mar. (Married), Wd (Widow), D (Divorced), S (Separated), Nev (Never Married).
    • Column 13: Birthplace. The state or foreign country the individual was born in. If born outside the continental United States, it says to enter the name of the Territory, possession, or foreign country. It also says to distinguish "Canada-French" from "Canada-other".
    • Column 14: Naturalization Status: Either yes, naturalized; no, not naturalized; AP for born abroad or American Parents.

    Work informationWork information

    Columns 15-22 pertain to line of work, profession or trade:

    • Column 15: Working most of the last week. Options are: Working (Wk), Unable to work (U), Keeping house (H), or something else (OT).
    • Column 16: If H or OT, did this person work at all last week? Yes or no.
    • Column 17: Was this person looking for work? Yes or no.
    • Column 18: If no on 17, even though they didn't work last week, do they have a job or business? Yes or no.
    • Column 19: How many hours did they work last week?
    • Column 20: Current occupation
    • Column 21: Industry the person works
    • Column 22: Class of worker. Options: Private employer (P), government (G), own business (O), without pay on family farm or business (NP).

    Supplemental questionsSupplemental questions

    Sample Lines with Supplemental Questions on 1950 U.S. Census
    Supplemental questions on 1950 U.S. Census


    Six individuals per sheet were selected for additional questions. These are referred to as sample lines and they corresponded with individual #4, #9, #14, #19, #24, and #29 on each page.

    Regardless of age, they were asked the following questions:

    • Column 23: Living at the same house a year ago. Yes or no
    • Column 24: Living on a farm a year ago. Yes or no
    • Column 25: Living in the same county a year ago. Yes or no
    • Column 26: If no on previous question, name of county and state they lived in one year ago.
    • Column 27: Father's place of birth and mother's place of birth (either U.S. or name of territory, possession or foreign country)
    • Column 28: Highest grade of school attended
    • Column 29: Was that grade completed? Yes or no
    • Column 30: Attend school at any time since Feb. 1? Yes or no

    For persons age 14 or older, they were asked these additional questions:

    • Column 31: If looking for work (column 17), how many weeks looking for work?
    • Column 32: How many weeks worked last year (1949)? It says this excludes work around the house.
    • Columns 33-35: Total money earned in 1949
      • As an employee for wages or salary
      • Working own business, professional practice, or farm (net income)
      • From interest, dividends, veteran’s allowances, pensions, rents, or other income (excluding salary or wages)
    • Columns 36-38: Total money earned in 1949 by relatives in the household
      • Wages or salary
      • Own business, professional practice or farm (net income)
      • Interest, dividends, veteran’s allowances, pensions, rents, or other income (excluding salary or wages)
    • Columns 39-41: If male, did he ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces?
      • WWI Service? Yes or no
      • WWII Service? Yes or no
      • Any other time including present service? Yes or no

    Citing the 1950 U.S. CensusCiting the 1950 U.S. Census

    Here is an example of a citation for the 1950 U.S. Census:

    1950 U.S. census, [County], [State], [Location], Population Schedule, [Enumeration District #], [Page #], [Dwelling #], [Family #], [Name of Person]. https://1950census.archives.gov/

    See alsoSee also

    Explore more about the 1950 U.S. CensusExplore more about the 1950 U.S. Census

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1950 Census of Population: Volume 1. Number of Inhabitants. U.S. Census Bureau. Published by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1952. https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-01.pdf
    2. ↑ Questions Asked on the 1950 Census. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/research/census/1950/questions-asked
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 1950 Census Records: A Window to History. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/03/1950-census-records-window-to-history.html
    4. ↑ The Baby Boom Cohort in the United States: 2012 to 2060. Census.gov https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/babyboomers-boc-2014.pdf


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