State & Local Censuses

State Censuses

Sample 1905 Wisconsin State Census

State censuses were often taken in years between the federal censuses. In some places, local censuses were designed to collect specific data, such as the financial strengths and needs of communities; tallies of school-age children and potential school populations to predict needs for teachers and facilities; censuses of military strength, cavalry horse resources, and grain storage; enumeration for revenue assessment and urban planning; and lists to monitor African Americans moving into northern cities.

As noted by Ann S. Lainhart in her comprehensive study State Census Records tallies taken at the state level take on special importance for researchers attempting to fill in gaps left by missing censuses. For example, state and territorial censuses taken in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, and Wisconsin in years between 1885 and 1895 can partially compensate for the missing 1890 federal census schedules.

Additionally, some remarkably detailed state censuses are available for recent years. The Florida State Archives, for example, has 1935 and 1945 state enumerations. Like most other state schedules, the Florida state manuscripts are not indexed; they are arranged alphabetically by county and then geographically by election precincts. As with research in most state censuses, users must obtain election precinct numbers to expedite a search.

Probably no other state enumeration surpasses the 1925 Iowa state census in terms of genealogical value. In that year, Iowa asked for the names of all its residents and their relationship to the head of that household; place of abode (including house number and street in cities and towns); sex; color or race; age at last birthday; place of birth; marital status; if foreign born, year naturalized; number of years in the United States; number of years in Iowa; level of education; names of parents (including mother’s maiden name); places of birth, age if living, and place of marriage of parents; nine specific questions relating to military service; nine questions regarding occupation; church affiliation; and six questions related to real estate, including the amount for which each listed property owner’s house was insured.

Below is a summary of state census schedules for the years 1623 to 1950 that includes the date, comments on them, and their current locations. The vast wealth of data available in these local enumerations can take several forms as the discussion will show.

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Local Censuses

Local population schedules usually resemble those of corresponding federal enumerations, but those taken in New York and Boston during the colonial period included details later incorporated in federal censuses. Beginning as early as 1703, some cities required that a census be taken of their population. Although these city/town censuses are not as numerous as the federal population schedules, some may be worth the time it takes to find them.

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