The U.S. Census Bureau began collecting data about the characteristics of the nation's housing in the 19th century. In 1940, the number of inquiries expanded to 31 questions using a separate "housing schedule." This "Census of Housing" included inquiries that collected information about the home's bathroom facilities, water supply, heating equipment, mortgage or rent, and even if the residents had access to a radio. Government housing programs, along with marketing firms had successfully lobbied for the expansion of data.

The Census Bureau also collected housing-related data as part of its economic censuses. In response to the post-World War I building boom, the Census Bureau began the census of construction industries; in 1950, the residential finance survey began to collect data on mortgage debt to begin assessing the effectiveness of the residential finance system; and in 1973, collaboration between the Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development resulted in the American Housing Survey.