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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

1960 population schedules have not been released.

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 1960 Census

Highlights of the 1960 Census

Highlights

  • 18th decennial census
  • US population: 179,323,175
  • Illinois population: 10,081,158

Questions asked

Information obtained from all persons: Address; name; relationship to head of household; sex; race; month and year of birth; marital status.

Information obtained from 25-percent sample: Whether residence is on farm; place of birth; if foreign born, language spoken in home before coming to U.S.; country of birth of parents; length of residence at present address; state, county and city or town of residence 5 years ago; educational attainment; school or college attendance, and whether public or private school; whether married more than once and date of first marriage; for women ever married, number of children ever born; employment status; hours worked in week preceding enumeration; year last worked; occupation, industry, and class of worker; place of work-which city or town (and whether in city limits or outside), county, state; means of transportation to work; weeks worked last year; earnings last year from wages and salary, from self-employment; other income last year; veteran status.

Supplemental schedule for Americans overseas.

For more information:

Statistics of the 1960 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

Census of Population Vol. I: Characteristics of the Population
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 1A. Nativity and Parentage.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 1B. Persons of Spanish Surname.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 1C. Nonwhite Population by Race
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 1D. Puerto Ricans in the United States.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 1E. Mother Tongue of the Foreign Born.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 2A. State of Birth.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 2B. Mobility for States and State Economic Areas.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 2C. Mobility for Metropolitan Areas.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 2D. Lifetime and Recent Migration.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 2E. Migration Between State Economic Areas.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 3A. Women by Number of Children Ever Born.
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 3B. Childspacing.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 3C. Women by Children under 5 Years Old 
Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 4A. Families.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 4B. Persons by Family Characteristics.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 4C. Sources and Structure of Family Income.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 4D. Age at First Marriage.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 4E. Marital Status
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 5A. School Enrollment.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 5B. Educational Attainment.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 5C. Socioeconomic Status.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 6A. Employment Status and Work Experience.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 6B. Journey to Work.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 6C. Labor Reserve.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 7A. Occupational Characteristics.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 7B. Occupation by Earnings and Education.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 7C. Occupation by Industry.
 Gov Info Census

n/a

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 7D. Characteristics of Teachers.
 Gov Info Census

n/a

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 7E. Characteristics of Professional Workers.
 Gov Info Census

n/a

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 7F. Industrial Characteristics.
 Gov Info Census

n/a

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 8A. Inmates of Institutions.
 Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 8B. Income of Income of the Elderly Population.
Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. II: Subject Reports 8C. Veterans.
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population Vol. III: Selected Area Reports
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Supplementary Reports PC(S1)
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Population and Housing: Census Tract Reports
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Housing:Vol. I: States and Small Areas (9pts)
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Housing:Vol. II: Metropolitan Housing (7 pts)
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Housing:Vol. III: City Blocks (421 pts)
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Housing:Vol. IV: Components of Inventory Change
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Housing:Vol. V: Residential Finance (2 pts)
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Housing:Vol. VI: Rural Housing
[  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Census of Housing: Vol. VII: Housing of Senior Citizens
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau

Our growing population : United States census of population: 1960
  Gov Info Census

From the Census Bureau