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U.S. Census Research Guide

The U.S. Census Bureau conducts several data collection programs about the U.S. population which have their own language, geography, and data portals. This guide is based on a similar guide created by Kelly Smith at UCSD.

For more info...

Raw Data Files

These are computer files intended to be loaded into statistical software for analysis and creating your own tables. In some cases these files can be used with spreadsheet software as well.

Population Schedules

Census population schedules (or "name schedules" or "manuscript census") are copies of the original questionnaires collected during each decennial census. They list the individual names and family information of the people enumerated. Unlike the statistics published soon after the census, the population schedules remain confidential for 72 years. 1930 is the most recent population schedule available.

Contact

Need help? Use the Ask-A-Librarian reference service, or call us at (847) 491-7656, during Research Assistance Desk hours.

To consult with a government information specialist by appointment, contact govinfo@northwestern.edu

About the 1910 Census

Highlights of the 1910 Census

Highlights

  • 13th decennial census
  • US population: 91,972,266
  • Illinois population: 5,638,591

Questions asked

Address; name; relationship to head of family; sex; race; age; marital status; number of years of present marriage; for women, number of children born and number now living; place of birth and mother tongue of person and parents; if foreign born, year of immigration., whether naturalized or alien, and whether able to speak English, or if not, language spoken; occupation, industry, and class of worker; if an employee, whether out of work on census day, and number of weeks out of work during preceding year; literacy; school attendance; home owned or rented; if owned, whether mortgaged; whether farm or house; whether a survivor of Union or Confederate Army or Navy ; whether blind or deaf and dumb. Supplemental schedules for the Indian population; blind; deaf; feeble-minded in institutions; insane in hospitals; paupers in almshouses; prisoners and juvenile delinquents in institutions.

For more information:

Statistics of the 1910 Census

Multi-year census compilations (compare across years): These sources tend to include statistics for large geographic areas (e.g. states), but can be very useful when comparing statistics over time.

Digitized Data Sources

  • National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
    Hosted at the University of Minnesota, provides aggregate census data and GIS-compatible boundary files for the United States between 1790 and 2014.  Open access to data, although users must create an account.
  • Social Explorer - subscription database, access to NU-affiliated users only.
    Includes Census data 1790-present along with other datasets on health, crime, and other topics.  US emphasis but other national data is also available.  Data can be mapped or data tables extracted.

Key publications:

Print available in the Library

Online access

Vol I: Population. General Report and Analysis
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 1

From the Census Bureau

Vol II: Population. Reports by States: AL - MT
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 2

From the Census Bureau

Vol III: Population. Reports by States: NE - WY, AK, HI, and Porto Rico
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 3

From the Census Bureau

Vol IV: Population. Occupational Statistics
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 4

From the Census Bureau

Vol V: Agriculture. General Report and Analysis
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 5

From the Census Bureau

Vol VI: Agriculture. Reports by States with statistics for counties: AL - MT
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 6

From the Census Bureau

Vol VII: Agriculture. Reports by States with statistics for counties: NE - WY, AK, HI and Porto Rico
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 7

From the Census Bureau

Vol VIII: Manufactures. General Report and analysis
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 8

From the Census Bureau

Vol IX: Manufactures. Reports by States with statistics for principal cities
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 9

From the Census Bureau

Vol X: Manufactures. Reports for Principal Industries.
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 10

From the Census Bureau

Vol XI: Mines and Quarries. General Report and Analysis
 Gov Info Census C 3/a. 13/16: 11

From the Census Bureau

Abstracts with Illinois supplement
 Law Library: Government Documents  (D,USG C3.15: Ab8z)

From the Census Bureau

Abstract
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From the Census Bureau

Thirteenth census of the United States: 1910. Bulletin. Population: United States. Statistics of the Indian population -- Number, tribes, sex, age, fecundity, and vitality.   

  Main Library   Special Collections   L Boas Pam D621t  

From the Census Bureau

Statistical atlas of the United States

From the Census Bureau

From FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis)

Bulletin 127: Chinese & Japanese in the U.S.: 1910
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From the Census Bureau

Bulletin 129: Negroes In the U.S.
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From the Census Bureau

Paupers in almshouses 1910.

 Gov Info Census C 3.2:P 28

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Handbook of federal statistics of children

Main Library   Special Collections   Boas Pam U58355h  

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Wealth, debt, and taxation.
  Gov Info Census C 3.2:W 37/2/
and
  Gov Info Microtext CIS US Exec MF C305-31  

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