Part I of the report contains general tables, explanatory text, and maps and diagrams giving the statistics of the population in aggregate and by sex, general nativity, color, place of birth, parentage, school, militia, and voting ages, conjugal condition, and dwellings and families. Comparative statements of the population and its distribution at preceding censuses are also given whenever possible or where they were deemed essential to the proper presentation and discussion of the results of the census.

Part II contains the statistics of the population classified according to age, school attendance, illiteracy, ability to speak English, occupations, and citizenship.

In addition, a monograph on education compiled from the reports of schools in the United States was included with part 2 of the report on population when published in 1897.