United States Census Territorial

Portal:United States Census

Availability
These censuses are usually incomplete and most are not indexed.

1885-- A special census was made for Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

The Family History Library has copies of most of the territorial censuses. These are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under [STATE] - CENSUS - [YEAR].

You can find further information about special censuses in research outlines available for each state.

Research Guidance: Territorial Censuses

Historical Background
Territorial censuses were taken to petition for statehood, apportion the legistature and also for taxation purposes.

The population of territories was often listed by the federal government in anticipation of statehood. These were generally taken in the years between the federal censuses.

Value
Supplement information found in the federal censuses

Track individuals in the areas before statehood.