Skip to Main Content

bullhorn iconFor FAQs and current status of services and policies see UW Libraries Operations Updates

Research Guides

U.S. Decennial Census: 1880

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

Navigation Pane

Census By Decade

1790  1800  1810  1820  1830  1840  1850  1860  1870  1880  1890  1900

1910  1920  1930  1940  1950  1960  1970  1980  1990  2000  2010  2020

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

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

More Information from the Census Bureau

Statistics: Census Compilations

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.

Raw Data Files

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).