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Decennial Census of Population and Housing Questionnaires & Instructions
Decennial Census of Population and Housing Questionnaires & Instructions
Here you will learn whether an archive of past questionnaires - also known as schedules or forms – is available online. Many of our surveys now offer an online response in place of completing and mailing a printed form.
About the 1920 Census Questionnaires
The 1920 census questionnaire was similar, but slightly shorter, than its counterpart from 1910. "Place of abode" replaced "dwelling house" as the general term for a person's residence. There was no separate schedule for American Indians. Enumerators collected the following information from residents, organized by column:
Enumeration
For the 1920 census, "usual place of abode" became the basis for enumeration. Individuals were enumerated as residents of the place in which they regularly slept, not where they worked or might be visiting. People with no regular residence, including "floaters" and members of transient railroad or construction camps, were enumerated as residents of the place where they were when the count was taken. Enumerators were also instructed to ask if any family members were temporarily absent; if so, these people were to be listed either with the household or on the last schedule for the census subdivision.
The format and information in the 1920 census schedules closely resembled that of the 1910 census. The 1920 census, however, did not ask about unemployment on the day of the census, nor did it ask about service in the Union or Confederate army or navy. Questions about the number of children born and how long a couple had been married were also omitted. The bureau modified the enumeration of inmates of institutions and dependent, defective, and delinquent classes. The 1920 census included four new questions: one asking the year of naturalization and three about mother tongue. There was no separate schedule for Indians in 1920.
Because of the changes in some international boundaries following World War I, enumerators were instructed to report the province (state or region) or city of persons declaring they or their parents had been born in Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, or Turkey. If a person had been born in any other foreign country, only the name of the country was to be entered.
The instructions to enumerators did not require that individuals spell out their names. Enumerators wrote down the information given to them; they were not authorized to request proof of age, date of arrival, or other information. The determination of race was based on the enumerator's impressions.
Index of Questions
1920 Questionnaire - General Population Schedule
1. Street of person's place of abode
Enumerators were to write the name of the street vertically in the column, so that they only had to write it once for all of the enumerated persons living on that street
2. House number or farm
3. Number of dwelling house in order of visitation by enumerator
4. Number of family in order of visitation by enumerator
5. Name
6. Relationship to head of family
7. Is the person's home owned or rented?
8. If owned, is it owned freely or mortgaged?
9. Sex
10. Color or race
Enumerators were to enter "W" for White, "B" for Black, "Mu" for mulatto, "Ch" for Chinese, "Jp" for Japanese, "In" for American Indian, or "Ot" for other races.
11. Age at last birthday
12. Single, married, widowed, or divorced?
Enumerators were to enter "S" for single, "Wd" for widowed, "D" for divorced, "M1" for married persons in their first marriage, and "M2" for those married persons in their second or subsequent marriage.
13. Year of immigration to the United States
14. Is the person naturalized or alien?
15. If naturalized, what was the year of naturalization?
16. Did the person attend school at any time since September 1, 1919?
17. Can the person read?
18. Can the person write?
19. Person's place of birth
20. Person's mother tongue
21. Person's father's place of birth
22. Person's father's mother tongue
23. Person's mother's place of birth
24. Person's mother's mother tongue
25. Can the person speak English?
26. Person's trade or profession
27. Industry, business, or establishment in which the person works
28. Is the person an employer, a salary or wage worker, or working on his own account?
29. If the person is a farmer, what is the farm's identification number on the corresponding farm schedule?=
Page Last Revised - November 23, 2021
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