Genealogy
Although censuses are a source of genealogical information, the Census Bureau does not provide these data. The Census Bureau is not able to locate missing persons, or provide recent information on individuals.
By law, personally identifiable information collected for a decennial census is released to the public after 72 years. The National Archives released the 1940 census on April 2, 2012. Learn more about your family history from census records.
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Frequently Occurring Surnames from the 2010 CensusTabulations of all surnames occurring 100 or more times in the 2010 Census returns. No specific individual information is provided.
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Frequently Occurring Surnames from the Census 2000Tabulations of all surnames occurring 100 or more times in the Census 2000 returns. No specific individual information is provided.
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Frequently Occurring Surnames from the 1990 CensusTabulation of names from the 1990 Census. These files contain only the frequency of a surname, no specific individual information.
Related Sites
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National Archives: Resources for GenealogistsCopies of decennial census records are available for research at the National Archives, at select regional centers, and at select Federal depository libraries.
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PublicationFactfinder for the Nation: Availability of Census Records, IndividualsThis Factfinder explains what census materials are available and how to obtain them and also lists the sources for some other useful records about individuals.
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PublicationMeasuring America: The Decennial Censuses From 1790 to 2000Contains questionnaires and instructions, plus individual histories of each census.
All Subtopics Within 'Population'
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Age and SexFocusing on a population’s age and sex composition is one of the most basic ways to understand population change over time.
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AncestryAncestry refers to a person’s ethnic origin or descent, "roots," or heritage, or the place of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors.
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ChildrenAll Census Bureau demographic surveys collect information about children. The information collected varies.
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Computer and Internet UseThe U.S. Census Bureau has been collecting data on computers and Internet use sporadically since 1984.
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Foreign-BornThe foreign-born population includes anyone who is not a U.S. citizen at birth, including those who have become U.S. citizens through naturalization.
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Hispanic OriginPeople who identify with the terms “Hispanic” or “Latino” are those who classify themselves in one of the specific Hispanic or Latino categories.
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InternationalThe U.S. Census Bureau conducts demographic, economic, and geographic studies of other countries and strengthens statistical development around the world.
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Language UseLanguage use, English-speaking ability, and linguistic isolation data are collected in the ACS.
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Migration/Geographic MobilityMigration and geographic mobility both refer to the movement of people within and across boundaries, such as county or state lines.
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Older Population and AgingDetailed information and statistics on population older population and aging.
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Population EstimatesAnnual estimates for the U.S., states, counties, cities, etc. Components of population change (births, deaths and migration) for U.S., states and counties.
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Population ProjectionsThe Population Projections Program produces population estimates for future dates. Projections include assumptions about future births, deaths, and migration.
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RaceThe data on race and ethnicity were derived from answers to the question on race and ethnicity that was asked of individuals in the United States.
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Racial and Ethnic DiversityThe concept of racial and ethnic diversity refers to the representation and relative size of different racial and ethnic groups within a population.
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VeteransThe U.S. Census Bureau currently collects data on veterans of the Armed Forces using the ACS, CPS, and SIPP.
Page Last Revised - March 12, 2026