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Estimates of Illiteracy, by States: 1950

Report Number P23-6

Estimates of the number of illiterate persons in each State 1n 1950, recently prepared by the Bureau of the Census, show that the percentage of persons 14 years old and over who were illiterate at that time was below 3 percent in about two-thirds of the States and below 10 percent in all of the States. Comparison or these estimates with figures for earlier census years shows that illiteracy rates in every State dropped sharply during the first half of the twentieth century.

Data on illiteracy, here defined as the inability to read and write either in English or in any other language were last collected for States in the 1930 Census. Since that time, although sample survey data on illiteracy have been compiled for the country as a whole, separate figures for States had not been available. The estimates on page 2 for 1950 refer to the population 14 years old and over, whereas the census figures for 1900 to 1930 refer to the population 15 years and over.

A Note on Language

Census statistics date back to 1790 and reflect the growth and change of the United States. Past census reports contain some terms that today’s readers may consider obsolete and inappropriate. As part of our goal to be open and transparent with the public, we are improving access to all Census Bureau original publications and statistics, which serve as a guide to the nation's history.

Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021
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