After 72 years of confidentiality, the 1950 Census is here!
The 1950 census is now available for everyone to view on a free, dedicated website from the National Archives: 1950census.archives.gov
Visit our website for full access to 1950 Census images, including digitized population schedules for U.S. states and territories, enumeration district maps, and enumeration district descriptions.
Here's what you can expect to find on the 1950 Census website:
Approximately 6.57 million population schedules
33,360 Indian Reservation schedules
9,634 enumeration district maps images
234,447 enumeration district descriptions
Location and name-based search capabilities: Explore the records by State, County/City, Name, Reservation, and Enumeration District.
Name transcription capabilities: Use the built-in transcription feature to correct and add names to the name index. You can help make the 1950 Census population schedules more discoverable for everyone.
Yes, you can search the 1950 Census by name! We used optical character recognition (OCR) and machine learning technology to create a name index available on the first day of the census opening. This is the first time the National Archives is able to make the census digitally available through a name-searchable database.
Help refine the 1950 Census name index
Because the initial name index is built on optical character recognition (OCR) technology, we know it is not 100% accurate. This is where we need your help! We encourage you to try out the 1950 Census website’s built-in transcription tool to help refine the name index. You can transcribe or submit name updates, which will improve the accuracy of the name index and make the records more accessible for everyone.
Look for the “Help Us Transcribe Names” button when viewing a population schedule. Follow the prompts to register your email address and get started transcribing. You will also find step by step instructions in the website FAQs.
Mandated by the Constitution and taken every 10 years since 1790, the census helps define “We the People" by providing a snapshot of the nation's population. It is a once-a-decade population and housing count of everyone living in the United States. Here are some facts about the 1950 Census:
152 million people were counted on April 1, 1950
Over 140,000 enumerators (census takers) had been trained by 8,300 crew leaders. This was 20,000 more enumerators than were needed for the 1940 census.
22 questions were asked of everyone, compared to 34 in the 1940 Census
6,373 microfilm census rolls were scanned by National Archives staff
6.4 million pages were scanned from more than 200,000 enumeration districts
First appearance of the Baby Boom generation in the census
You can also learn about the 1950 Census in this video from the National Archives. From training enumerators to digitizing microfilm, the 1950 Census has been an epic event more than 72 years in the making!
Do you have questions about the 1950 Census release? Bring all your census-related questions to History Hub’s Census Records Community!
1950 Census Webinar Series
Learn from our experts in our new Genealogy Series on the 1950 Census, with new episodes posted to our YouTube channel throughout March, April, and May.
Learn more about the 1950 Census with the extensive blog series from archivist and genealogy and census subject matter expert Claire Kluskens, including topics such as:
Have a question? Find your answer on History Hub! Bring all your genealogy and census questions to History Hub’s Genealogy Community. See what other community members are already asking about the 1950 Census:
