U.S. Decennial Census: 2000

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 2000 census

Highlights

22nd decennial census
US population: 281,422,426
Washington population: 5,894,121

Questions asked

Information obtained from all persons:
- Age,
- Sex,
- Color or Race,
- If American Indian, Name of Tribe,
- Relationship to head of family or household
Information obtained from a sample of the population:
- Ancestry/ Ethnic Origin,
- Marital Status,
- Disability Status,
- School Attendance,
- Educational Attainment,
- Place of Birth,
- Citizenship,
- If Foreign Born, Year of immigration, language,
- Are grandchildren under 18 living within the household?,
- Are grandparents responsible for a Grandchild's basic needs?,
- Length of responsibility for grandchild,
- Veteran status,
- Length of service,
- In service date,
- Place of residence in a previous year,
- Year moved to present residence,
- Industry,
- Occupation,
- Class of Worker,
- Employment Status,
- Duration of Unemployment,
- Year last worked,
- Weeks worked in preceding year,
- Hours worked in preceding week,
- Industry 5 years ago,
- Value of Real Estate,
- Income,
- Place of work,
- Means of transportation to work

Statistics

Almost all of the information from the original reports is available via Explore Census Data.

Reports Originally Printed

The following reports were originally printed. Their online equivalents can be found in the Census of Population and Housing; select the year you're interested in and a menu will appear with the list of reports.

Summary Population and Housing Characteristics are in the Government Publication Stacks in Suzzallo starting at call number C 3.223/18:2000 PHC-1-*
Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics are in the Government Publication Stacks in Suzzallo starting at call number C 3.223/23:2000 PHC-2-*
Population and Housing Unit Counts are in the Government Publication Stacks in Suzzallo starting at call number C 3.223/5:2000-PHC-3-*
Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Island Areas are in the Government Publication Stacks in Suzzallo starting at call number C 3.223/23-2:2000 PHC-4-
Characteristics of American Indians and Alaska Natives by Tribe and Language are in the Government Publication Stacks in Suzzallo starting at call number C 3.223/28:2000 PHC-5-*
The Profiles of General Demographic Characteristics and Island Areas Demographic Profiles are both originally print reports but are not in our print collection. They can be accessed online.

Born Digital Reports

The following reports are originally electronic files. Their online equivalents can be found in the Census of Population and Housing; select the year you're interested in and a menu will appear with the list of reports.

Census 2000 redistricting data (Public Law 94-171) can be found at C 3.275:R 24/DVD in the Government Publications media cabinets
Summary file 1 can be found at C 3.282:2000 in the Government Publications media cabinets
Summary file 2 can be found at C 3.282/2-3:2000/NAT in the Government Publications media cabinets
Summary file 3 can be found at C 3.282/2:V 1 DOOS 3 ST 08 NAT 1 in the Government Publications media cabinets
Summary file 4 can be found at C 3.282/2-2:2000/NAT in the Government Publications media cabinets
Census 2000 island areas summary file can be found at C 3.223/23-2:2000 PHC-4-08-USIA/CD in the Government Publications media cabinets
American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File (AIANSF) is not in our media collection but can be accessed online

Multi-year census compilations (compare across years) 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

Encyclopedia of the U.S. Census
Includes bibliography for each census. Located in reference section of the Suzzallo and Odegaard libraries.
List of Census Guides & 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.

Statistics: Census Compilations

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

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.

Population Schedules

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.

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.

Ancestry.com
The Ancestry.com database features population schedules and details those persons enumerated in the 1860 census. Slave schedules are searchable and browseable here.

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).