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Research Guides

U.S. Decennial Census: 1900

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

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 1900 census

Highlights

  • 12th decennial census
  • US population: 75,994,575
  • Washington population: 518,103

Questions asked

  • Address;
  • name;
  • relationship to head of family;
  • sex;
  • race;
  • age;
  • month and year of birth;
  • marital status;
  • number of years married;
  • for women, number of children born and number now living;
  • place of birth of person and parents;
  • if foreign born, year of immigration to the U.S., number of years in the U.S., and whether naturalized;
  • occupation;
  • months not employed;
  • months attended school during census year;
  • literacy;
  • ability to speak English.
  • Supplemental schedules for the blind and for the deaf.

Coverage

a map of the united states in 1900

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. 1950 is the most recent population schedule available. Below are links to print and online 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).