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Research Guides

U.S. Decennial Census: 1930

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 1930 census

Highlights

  • 15th decennial census
  • US population: 122,775,046
  • Washington population: 1,563,396
  • Mexicans are given a separate classification in the census returns for the first time in 1930, having been included for the most part with the white population at prior censuses

Questions asked

  • Address;
  • name;
  • relationship to head of family;
  • sex;
  • race;
  • age;
  • marital status;
  • age at first marriage;
  • home owned or rented;
  • value or monthly rental;
  • radio set;
  • whether family lives on a farm;
  • school attendance;
  • literacy;
  • place of birth of person and parents;
  • if foreign born, language spoken in home before coming to U.S;
  • year of immigration;
  • naturalization;
  • ability to speak English;
  • occupation,
  • industry, and class of worker;
  • whether at work previous day (or last regular working day);
  • veteran status;
  • for Indians, whether of full or mixed blood, and tribal affiliation.
  • Supplemental schedules for gainful workers not at work on the day preceding the enumeration; blind and deaf-mutes.

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

Raw Data Files

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.

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).