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Resource Library
1950 Census Records
1950 Census Records
Explore & Collaborate
On April 1, 2022, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will make population records from the 1950 Census available to the public for the first time. We invite you to explore our site to see how America has changed since the 1950s.
The 1950 Census records release highlights the importance of responding to Census Bureau surveys and censuses. The Census Bureau serves as the nation’s benchmark in who we were as a nation. Through the 1950 Census records, we use compelling stories, infographics, and photos to compare the 1950 Census with corresponding information about the 2020 Census.
For more information on the release of NARA's 1950 Census records, visit their website:
1950 Census Historical Facts
Population
| 151,325,798 | U.S. Resident Population |
| 42.6 |
Population per square mile of land area |
| 14.5 |
Percent increase of population from 1940 to 1950 |
| 48 |
Number of States |
10 Largest Urban Places
| Rank |
Place |
Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
New York City, NY | 7,891,957 |
| 2 |
Chicago, IL | 3,620,962 |
| 3 |
Philadelphia, PA | 2,071,605 |
| 4 |
Los Angeles, CA | 1,970,358 |
| 5 |
Detroit, MI | 1,849,568 |
| 6 |
Baltimore, MD | 949,708 |
| 7 |
Cleveland, OH | 914,808 |
| 8 |
St. Louis, MO | 856,796 |
| 9 |
Washington, DC | 802,178 |
| 10 |
Boston, MA | 801,444 |
The 1950 Census
| Cost | $91,462,000 |
| Cost per Capita (cents) | 60.4 |
| Total Pages in Published Reports | 61,700 |
| Number of Enumerators | 142,962 |
| Census Bureau Director | Roy Victor Peel |
| Number of Questions on the Questionnaire | N/A |
| Number of Questions on the Long Form | N/A |
Newsroom
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Press ReleaseCensus Bureau Director to Participate in Virtual 1950 Census Records EventOn April 1 at 10 a.m. EDT, Director Robert Santos will join the NARA for a virtual event celebrating the release of population records from the 1950 Census.
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Press Kit1950 Census Records Release Press KitThe National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is scheduled to digitally release the 1950 Census population records on April 1, 2022.
Visualizations
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Visualization2020 Census Center of Population Data VisualizationNovember 16, 2021This interactive visualization shows how the Center of Population for the nation has shifted since the first census in 1790.
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VisualizationHistorical Apportionment Data Map (Interactive)April 26, 2021This interactive tool enables users to view more than 10 decades of apportionment and population data.
Around the Census Bureau
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Spotlight1950 Census Records Toolkit & Artifact HubSpread the word about the 1950 Census records with our social media toolkit and explore 1950 Census artifacts.
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About the 1950 Decennial CensusRead an overview of the 1950 Census, including information on enumeration, efforts to improve coverage & completeness, technological advancement, & more.
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Fact SheetThe 1950 Census Records Release72 years after a census, NARA releases census records to the public to use for research.
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1950 Census QuestionnairesView an archive of the 1950 Census questionnaires.
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1950 Census PhotosView historical Census Bureau photos of official events and operations.
America Counts
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America Counts StoryNational Archives Releases 1950 Census RecordsApril 01, 2022Decennial Census records are available to the public for free through the National Archives 72 years after each census is taken.
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America Counts StoryFamous People Who First Appeared in 1950 Census RecordsApril 01, 2022The National Archives today releases 1950 Census records. Some people who eventually gained fame made their first appearance in this decennial census.
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America Counts Story1950 Census Records: A Window to HistoryMarch 28, 2022Records for all people counted in the 1950 Census will be released by the National Archives and Records Administration April 1.
For Students
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Fun Facts: Exploring the 1950 CensusStep back in time with this special edition Fun Facts for the 1950 Census. This handout offers a range of statistics about American life in the 1950s.
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My Family TreeStudents can construct their own family trees and record the first census year in which they and their family members would have been counted.
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Then and Now: A Look Back at the 1950 CensusLearn more about U.S. life in the 1950s with our “Then and Now” game comparing life then with life today.
Videos
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VideoDirector Santos Remarks on 1950 Census ReleaseApril 01, 2022
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Video1950 Census RecordsApril 01, 2022
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VideoPreview of Release of 1950 Census RecordsMarch 14, 2022The U.S. Census Bureau held a webinar to give the media and data users an overview of 1950 Census records set to be released from the NARA on April 1.
Census Academy Course
NARA Related Links
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Explore 1950 Census Resources on New Archives.gov PageThe public can visit a newly launched 1950 Census web page on Archives.gov for information and resources to help prepare for the April 1 release.
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1950 Census Release Will Offer Enhanced Digital AccessThe National Archives is completing efforts to digitize 1950 records and using technology to make them more accessible than ever.
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NARA Census RecordsThe National Archives has the census schedules on microfilm available from 1790 to 1940.
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1950 Census NARA Blog SeriesView blog posts on the 1950 Census.
Page Last Revised - September 16, 2024
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