Census Records

Decennial Census records include household information. While Census data is released quickly to the Executive Branch and the states for use in redistricting and reapportionment, personal Census records are kept private for 72 years. These older Census records are managed by the National Archives, and are used for research and genealogy.

Census records are available from the following sources:

• HeritageQuest Online
• Ancestry.com – Available for purchase and from some Libraries.
• FamilySearch.org
• MyHeritage
• The 1940 Census from the National Archives

About Census Records

• Decennial Census questions have changed over the years. Visit census.gov/history to learn about information collected in each Census.
• FamilySearch Research Wiki
• National Archives guide to Census Records

The Decennial Census By Year

1950 Census

• 1950 Census records were released by the National Archives on April 1, 2022.

1940 Census

• 1940 records are available at 1940census.archives.gov.

1930 Census

• Learn about the 1930 Census with “Start Your 1930 Census Research” National Archives.

1920 Census

• The 1920 Annual Report of the Census includes information about the effect of the Influenza pandemic on 1920 Census. Annual Report of the Director of the Census to the Secretary of Commerce for the Fiscal Year Ended June 20, 1920. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1920. https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/1920_Annual.pdf

1910 Census

• 1910 Census Records are indexed in the Idaho Genealogical Society’s Idaho State Federal Census Index, 1910. Boise, Idaho: Idaho Genealogical Society and Northwest Printing, 1991.

1900 Census

• Counted in the State of Idaho.

1890 Census

• Counted in Idaho Territory. The Census was taken before Idaho became a state on July 3, 1890.
• The Idaho Territory Census records from 1890 were destroyed by fire.

1880 Census

• Counted in Idaho Territory.
• 1880 is indexed in: Idaho Genealogical Society. Idaho Territory Federal Population and Mortality Schedules, with Index, 1880. Boise, Idaho: Idaho Genealogical Society, 1976.

1870 Census

• Counted in Idaho Territory.
• 1870 is indexed in: Idaho Genealogical Society. Idaho Territory Federal Population & Mortality Schedules, 1870. Boise, Idaho: Idaho Genealogical Society, 1973.

1860 Census

• Counted in Washington Territory.

1850 Census

• Counted in Oregon Territory.

This page was updated by rjoiner on October 31, 2022.