United States Census 1950

Release Date and Updates
According to law, the census is scheduled for public release on 1 April 2022.
 * FamilySearch.org 1950 United States Census Updates
 * National Archives News 1950 Census on Track for 2022 Release, Despite Pandemic

Census Forms

 * Form P1 - Population and Housing Schedule
 * Form P2 - Individual Census Report Nonresidents
 * Form P3 - Infant Card (for children born January - March, 1950)
 * Form P5 - Overseas Census Report - Members of Armed Forces and U.S. Citizens Abroad
 * Form P8 - Indian Reservation Schedule
 * Form P11 - Form P11, 1950 Census of Population and Housing (Procedure II)
 * Form P12A - 1950 Census of Population and Housing (Procedure III) Self Enumeration forms for people not at home when.
 * Form A1 - Agricultural Questionnaire
 * Farm A2 - Special Agricultural Questionnaire


 * Principal Data Collection Forms Used in the 1950 Censuses. (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1952).

Census Questions
Census day was April 1, 1950. Everyone living in the United States were to be counted at their place of residence. For those individuals not at home during the enumeration, information may have been obtained by other family members or neighbors, etc. Individuals serving in the military were enumerated were they were stationed. College students away at school were enumerated where they were attending school. This census had separate forms for population and housing. The population schedule was separated into three sections of questions: For Head of Household, For All Persons, For Persons 14 Years of Age and Over. Every fifth person counted was asked a set of supplemental questions starting with question 21. Full documentation on the 1950 census, including census forms and a procedural history, is available from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series. A PDF copy of the United States Census Bureau 1950 Instructions is available.

Form P-1, Population and Housing Schedule
A copy of the form can be downloaded at the Census Bureau's 1950-History-U.S. Census Bureau page.

Form Header
The header of the population questionnaire included the following fields: • 2

Household Information
The following questions are listed in the order they appear on the form.

For Head of Household For All Persons • 2 For Persons 14 Years of Age and Over • 2 Supplemental Questions: Every 5th person enumerated was asked the following questions For All Ages • 2 For Persons 14 years old and older
 * 1. Name of street, avenue or road.
 * 2. House (and apartment) number
 * 3. Serial number of dwelling unit.
 * 4. Is this house on a farm (or ranch) ? (Yes or No)
 * 5. If no in item 4- Is this house on a place of three or more acres ? (Yes or No)
 * 6. Agricultural Questionnaire Number.
 * 31. Income Received by this person in 1949
 * 31.a. Last year(1949), how much money did he earn working as an employee for wages or salary ?
 * 31.b. Last year, how much money did he earn working his own business, profession practice or farm ?
 * 31.c. Last year, how much money did he receive from interest, dividends, veteran's allowances, pensions, rents, or other income, (aside from earnings) ?


 * 32. If this person is a family head (see definition below) -- Income received by his relatives in this household:
 * 32.a. Last year (1949), how much money did his relatives in this household earn working for wages or salary (before taxes and other deductions)?
 * 32.b. Last year (1949), how much money did his relatives in this household earn in their own business, professional practice, or farm (net income)?
 * 32.c. Last year, how much money did his relatives in this household receive from interest, dividends, veteran’s allowances, pensions, rents, or other income (excluding salary or wages)?


 * 33. If male, did he ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during:
 * 33.a. World War I (April 6,1917-November 11, 1918)
 * 33.b. World War II (September 16, 1940, to July 25, 1947)
 * 33.c. Any other time including present service? (Yes/No)


 * 34. To enumerator: If worked last year (1 or more weeks in Item 30): Is there any entry in Items 20a, 20b, or 20c? If Yes: Skip to Item 36; If No: Make entries in Items 35a, 35b, and 35c.
 * 35a. What kind of work did this person do in his last job?
 * 35b. What kind of business or industry did he work in?
 * 35c. Class of worker (P, G, O, or NP, as in Item 20c).


 * 36. If ever married (Mar, Wd, D, or Sep in Item 12): Has this person been married more than once? (check box for Yes or No)
 * 37. If Mar: How many years since this person was (last) married?
 * If Wd: How many hears since this person was widowed?
 * If D: How many years since this person was divorced?
 * If Sep: How many years since this person was separated? (Enter number of years or check Less than 1 year.)


 * 38. If female and ever married (Mar, Wd, D, or Sep in Item 12): How many children has she ever borne, not counting stillbirths? (Enter number of children or None.)

Housing Schedule
A copy of the form can be downloaded at the Census Bureau's 1950-History-U.S. Census Bureau page. The following questions are listed in the order they appear on the form.

Sheet No For All Dwelling Units • 2 For All Vacant Units For Nonfarm Vacant Units Only For Nonfarm Units Occupied by Owner For Nonfarm Units Occupied by Renter
 * 1. Serial number of dwelling unit
 * 2. Block number
 * Non-seasonal or seasonal
 * 18. If "For rent"-monthly rent for this unit
 * 19. If "For sale only"-sale price asked
 * 20. How much would this property sell for?
 * 21. How many dwelling units are included in this property?
 * 22. Is there any mortgage (trust) on this property ? 1. Yes; 2. No
 * 23. What is the monthly rent for this unit?
 * 24. In addition to rent, how much do you pay for: Electricity?; Gas?; Water?; Wood? Coal? Oil?
 * 25. Is this rented&mdash;1. Unfurnished or 2. Furnished
 * 26. If rented furnished - What would it rent for monthly if unfurnished?

Form P2, Individual Census Report
This form was left by the enumerator when they were unable to personally contact anyone in the household. The resident was to complete the form and return it to the enumerator.

Form P-5 Overseas Census Report
This form was used for: First Page Second Page
 * Members of the armed forces
 * Civilian American citizens employed by the government
 * 1. Date (Date Form Filled Out)
 * 2. Location (Country or Island)
 * 3. Service Serial Number
 * 4. Are Any Members of Your Family Living with you Overseas ? (Yes/No)
 * 5. The the Box Which Applies to You ?
 * Member of Armed Forces: Army
 * Member of Armed Forces: Navy
 * Member of Armed Forces: Air Force
 * Member of Armed Forces: Marine Corps
 * Member of Armed Forces: Coast Guard
 * Civilian Employee of (Agency)
 * Other
 * 1. Answer the following questions for yourself and any members of your family living with you overseas April 1, 1950.
 * Name (Enter last name, first name, and middle initial), Relationship to You, Sex (Male/Female), Age at last birthday (Enter "Under 1" for children under one year of age) Age (Years Old), Marital Status (Married/Widowed/Divorced/Never Married),Race, Place of birth, Citizenship (Citizen/Not a Citizen)
 * Name
 * Your Wife's Name
 * Name of your son, daughter, or other relative living with you

Indian Reservation Schedule

 * Alternate (Native American) name
 * Tribe and clan
 * Degree of blood - full, half, quarter, or less than quarter
 * Read, write, speak English
 * Read, write, speak another language
 * Did you participate in any native American ceremonies in 1949?

1950 Census Enumeration District Maps - Selected
1950 Census Enumeration District Census Maps are included in the series: Enumeration District and Related Maps, 1880 - 1990 NAID 821491. On that page click the Search within this series link. Go through the results to find the locality you are looking for, and click the link to see the map.

Sample Census Enumeration District maps:
 * 1950 Census Enumeration District Maps - California (CA) - Los Angeles County - Beverly Hills - ED 19-158 to 197
 * 1950 Census Enumeration District Maps - Kentucky (KY) - Jefferson County - Louisville - ED 122-1 to 624

Read the post on the National Archives' blog, The Unwritten Record, "Snapshot USA:1950 Census Enumeration District Maps".

Related Sources - National Archives Catalog
• 2

Statistical Reports

 * Census of population, 1950 : a report of the seventeenth decennial census of the United States. Washington, D.C. : United States. Government Printing Office, 1953 2 volumes (FamilySearch Catalog record)
 * Volume 1, Number of inhabitants (FamilySearch Digital Books)
 * Volume 2, part 1, Characteristics of the population (FamilySearch Digital Books)
 * IPUMS USA, Questions From the 1950 Census of Population and Housng, Form P-1, Integrated Public Use Microdata Series

Enumeration Form

 * 1950 Enumeration Form, Integrated Public Use Microdata Series

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

 * United States Census, 1940
 * Florida State Census, 1945
 * South Dakota State Census, 1945