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Encyclopedia of the U.S. CensusThe history, politics, content, procedures, and uses of the decennial census of the American population. See the entry under "History of Decennial Censuses". Includes bibliography for each census through 2010.
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.
- Ancestry.comonline access to population schedules, search by name, place, and other characteristics
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 1890 Census
Highlights
- 11th decennial census
- US population: 62,947,714
- Illinois population: 3,826,352
- Electrical tabulating machines first used.
- First census to use a separate questionnaire for each household.
Questions asked
Address; name; relationship to head of family; race; sex; age; marital status; number of families in house; number of persons in house; number of persons in family; whether a soldier, sailor or marine during Civil War (Union or Confederate) or widow of such person; whether married during census year; for women, number of children born, and number now living; place of birth of person and parents; if foreign born, number of years in the U.S., whether naturalized or whether naturalization papers had been taken out; profession, trade, or occupation; months unemployed during census year; months attended school during census year; literacy; whether able to speak English, and if not, language or dialect spoken; whether suffering from acute or chronic disease, with name of disease and length of time afflicted; whether defective in mind, sight, hearing or speech, or whether crippled, maimed, or deformed, with name of defect; whether a prisoner, convict, homeless child, or pauper; home rented or owned by head or member of family; if owned by head or member, whether mortgaged; if head of family a farmer, whether farm rented or owned by him or member of his family; if owned, whether mortgaged; if mortgaged, post office address of owner. Supplemental schedules for the Indian population; for persons who died during the year; insane; feeble-minded and idiots; deaf; blind; diseased and physically defective; inmates of benevolent institutions; prisoners; paupers and indigent persons; surviving soldiers, sailors, and marines, and widows of such; inmates of soldier's homes.
For more information:
Map Coverage of the 1890 Census
For more information:
Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920
Statistics of the 1890 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:
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Print available in the Library |
Online access |
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Report on population of the United States (2 pts) |
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Report on the Insane, feeble-minded, deaf and dumb, and blind in the United States |
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Report on crime, pauperism, and benevolence: (2 pts) |
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Report on vital and social statistics (4 pts) |
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Reports on the statistics of agriculture |
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Report on manufacturing industries (3 pts) |
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Report on mineral industries |
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Report on population and resources of Alaska |
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Report on statistics of churches |
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Report on Indians taxed and Indians not taxed in the United States (except Alaska) |
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Report on insurance business (2 pts) |
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Report on real estate mortgages |
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Report on farms and homes: Proprietorship and indebtedness |
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Report on transportation business (2 pts) |
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Report on wealth, debt, and taxation (2 pts) |
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Compendium of the Eleventh Census (3 pts) |
Part 1 - US Serial Set (Readex) NU Affiliates only Part 2 - US Serial Set (Readex) NU Affiliates only Part 3 - US Serial Set (Readex) NU affiliates only Proquest Congressional - NU Affiliates only
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Abstract of the Eleventh Census: 1890. |
US Serial Set (Readex) NU affiliates only Proquest Congressional NU Affiliates only |
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Statistical atlas of the United States based upon results of the Eleventh Census: 1890 |
US Serial Set (Readex) NU Affiliates only Proquest Congressional NU Affiliates only |
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Special census report on the occupations of the population of the United States |
US Serial Set (Readex) NU Affiliates only Proquest Congressional NU Affiliates only |
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Vital Statistics of New York and Brooklyn covering a period of six years ending May 31, 1890 |
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Vital statistics of the District of Columbia and Baltimore covering a period of six years ending… |
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The five civilized tribes in Indian territory: The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole Nations. |
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Indians. Eastern band of Cherokees of North Carolina Gov Info Microtext (non-circulating) I1207-3 |
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Indians. Six Nations of New York. Cayugas, Mohawks (Saint Regis), Oneidas, Onondagas, Senecas, Tuscaroras. |
HeinOnline NU Affiliates only |