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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...

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.

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.

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 1930 Census

Highlights

  • 15th decennial census
  • US population: 122,775,046
  • Illinois population: 7,630,654
  • Mexicans are given a separate classification in the census returns for the first time in 1930, having been included for the most part with the white population at prior censuses

Questions asked

Address; name; relationship to head of family; sex; race; age; marital status; age at first marriage; home owned or rented; value or monthly rental; radio set; whether family lives on a farm; school attendance; literacy; place of birth of person and parents; if foreign born , language spoken in home before coming to U.S; year of immigration; naturalization; ability to speak English; occupation, industry, and class of worker; whether at work previous day (or last regular working day); veteran status ; for Indians, whether of full or mixed blood, and tribal affiliation. Supplemental schedules for gainful workers not at work on the day preceding the enumeration; blind and deaf-mutes.

For more information:

Statistics of the 1930 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: Number and distribution of Inhabitants

From the Census Bureau

Vol II: General Report

From the Census Bureau

Vol III: Reports by states (2 pts)

From the Census Bureau

Vol IV: Occupation Statistics

From the Census Bureau

Vol V: General Report on Occupations

From the Census Bureau

Vol VI: Families

From the Census Bureau

Vol VII: Foreign-Born White Families

From the Census Bureau

Outlying Territories and Posessions

From the Census Bureau

Unemployment

From the Census Bureau

Abstract

From the Census Bureau

Metropolitan Districts

From the Census Bureau

Population: Panama Canal Zone

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The Indian Population of the United States and Alaska
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 HeinOnline American Indian Law Collection (NU affiliated users only)

A Social-Economic Grouping of the Gainful Workers. Gainful workers of 1930 in social-economic groups, by color, nativity, age, and sex, and by industry, with comparative statistics for 1920 and 1910.
 Gov Info Census C 3.2:SO 1

From the Census Bureau

Age of the foreign-born white population by country of birth
 Main Library   Special Collections   Boas Pam U5835f  

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Fifteenth census of the United States: 1930. Census of agriculture. The Negro farmer in the United States.
United Library   Stacks   E185.6 .U6  
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