Time to Complete: Five months
U.S. Population: 23.2 million (16 percent slaves)
On June 1, 1850 the Bureau of the Census began taking the 7th decennial census of the United States. All responses were to reflect the individual's status as of 1 June 1850, even if the status had changed between June 1st and the day of the actual enumeration (i.e. children born after 1 June should not be listed, and people who died after 1 June should still be counted).
New & Different in the 1850 Census
A very important census for genealogists, the 1850 census was the first to record each person's name (not just head of household), specific age, occupation of those over age 15, place of birth, and value of real estate. Prior to 1850, children and spouses were counted within age categories and not named individually. Five new states - Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin and California - were added for the 1850 census, for a total of 31 states. In addition, four new territories were included: Oregon Territory, Minnesota Territory, New Mexico Territory and Utah Territory. No enumeration was conducted for the Unorganized Territory of the Great Plains, however.
Special Census Schedules for 1850
Schedules of slave inhabitants were taken in the Southern states, naming only the slave owner and indicating if a slave was black or mulatto, and his or her sex and age. The 1850 census also includes a mortality schedule, giving information about individuals who died within the previous twelve months, and an agricultural schedule, completed for farms and plantations with an annual produce value of at least $100.
Questions Asked in the 1850 Census
- name, age, and sex of each individual in the household
- color or race of each individual (white, black, or mulatto)
- profession, occupation, or trade of each individual over age fifteen
- value of real estate owned by each individual
- place of birth (state, territory, or country)
- whether married within the year
- whether attended school within the year
- whether able to read and write, if over twenty years old
- whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, a pauper or a convict
1860 Census Online
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