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U.S. Decennial Census: 1870

Decade by decade information about how to access and use U.S. Census reports.

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About the 1860 census

Highlights

  • 9th decennial census
  • US population: 39,818,449 (revised count)
  • Washington Territory population: 23,955
  • First census taken after the 13th amendment abolished slavery and to fully record information on the Black population.

Questions asked

  • Name
  • Age
  • Sex
  • Race
  • Occupation
  • Value of real estate
  • Value of personal estate
  • Place of birth
  • Whether parents were foreign born
  • Month of birth if born within the year
  • Month of marriage if married within the year
  • School attendance
  • Literacy
  • Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic
  • Male citizens 21 and over, and number of such persons denied the right to vote for other than rebellion
  • Supplemental schedules for persons who died during the year, paupers, and prisoners

Coverage

black and white map of the united states in 1870

Map of coverage of the 1870 census.

For more information, see Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790 - 1920 available in print via UW Libraries.

Population Schedules

Census population schedules (or "name schedules" or "manuscript census") are copies of the original questionnaires collected during each decennial census. They list the individual names and family information of the people enumerated. Unlike the statistics published soon after the census, the population schedules remain confidential for 72 years. 1950 is the most recent population schedule available.

Statistics

More Information from the US Census Bureau

Census Compilations

Data Sources

Contact

Need help? Call the Government Publications, Maps, Microforms & Newspapers help desk at (206) 543-4164 during desk hoursYou can also consult the 24/7 Ask Us! reference service.