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Agency History
Census Records & Family History
Historical Censuses & Surveys
Galleries & Archives
Census of Agriculture History
Census of Agriculture History
The census of agriculture originated as part of the 1820 decennial census, when U.S. marshals began to ask how many people within each household were engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1840, marshals began using separate census schedules to collect data related to agriculture.
The census of agriculture continued to be conducted during the same year as the decennial census of population until 1950. Between 1954 and 1974, the U.S. Census Bureau conducted the census of agriculture in years ending in "4" and "9."
Following the census of agriculture in 1978, the Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Agriculture decided to conduct this census in years ending in "2" and "7." (See Title 7, U.S. Code, Chapter 55.)
In 1997, Congress transferred bugetary responsibility for the census of agriculture to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Despite the shift in funding, the Census Bureau continues to design the questionnaires, mail questionnaires, manage returns, and process the data for the Department of Agriculture.
For more information:
Data from the 1960 to 1987 censuses of agriculture are primarily available in printed format from major libraries.
Related Information
Page Last Revised - August 14, 2024
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