U.S. Decennial Census: 1880

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

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About the 1860 census

Highlights

10th decennial census
US population: 50,155,783
Washington Territory population: 75,116

Questions asked

Address;
nickname;
relationship to head of family;
sex;
race;
age;
marital status;
month of birth if born within the census year;
married within the year;
occupation;
number of months unemployed during year;
sickness or temporary disability;
whether blind, deaf and dumb, idiotic, insane, maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled;
school attendance;
literacy;
place of birth of person and parents.
Supplemental schedules for the Indian population; for persons who died during the year; insane; idiots; deaf-mutes; blind; homeless children; prisoners; paupers and indigent persons.

Coverage

Map of the United States as surveyed in the 1880 census

For more information: Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790 - 1920 (GovPub Reference HA195 .T46 1987)

Statistics

Tenth census of the United States, 1880. by United States. Census Office. 10th census, 1880. Francis Amasa Walker, 1840-1897.; Chas. W. (Charles William) Seaton, 1831-1885
Print copy via UW Libraries
Online via HathiTrust
Compendium of the tenth census by United States. Census Office. 10th census, 1880. Francis Amasa Walker, 1840-1897.; Chas. W. (Charles William) Seaton, 1831-1885
Print copy via UW Libraries
Online via HathiTrust
Reports of the Tenth Census [Online via HathiTrust]
Print copy via UW Libraries
Online via HathiTrust
Reports online from the Census Bureau
Click on the desired year.

Multi-year census compilations (compare across years)

These tend to include statistics for large geographic areas (eg states) but can be very useful when comparing statistics over time. See: list of all census compilations

Guides and Documentation

More Information from the Census Bureau

Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses From 1790 to 2000 (PDF)
A 140-page report released in 2002 detailing the evolution and history of the census questionnaire from its inception in 1790 to 2000.
Through the Decades
An overview of the census from 1790 to the present day that includes the history of census legislation, efforts to improve the count, and the technical innovations introduced to improve data collection, processing, and publication.
Reports via US Census Bureau

Statistics: Census Compilations

List of Census Compilations
Census compilations usually cover large areas and can be very useful when comparing statistics over time.

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. 1930 is the most recent population schedule available. Below are links to print and on-line versions of the population schedules. The library also has selected population schedules available on microfilm.

Archive.org
Population schedules in PDF form of scanned microfilm from the states of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Dakota Territory, Delaware, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Ancestry.com
The Ancestry.com database features population schedules and details those persons enumerated in the 1880 census.

Raw Data Files

List of Raw Data Sources
Raw data files are intended to be loaded into statistical software for analysis and table creation. In some cases these files can be used with spreadsheet software as well.

Contact

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