United States, Census, 1950

About the 1950 United States Census

The 1950 U.S. census was the 17th census of the United States. It gives a detailed picture of American life just after World War II. Families were growing, new suburbs were being built, and many people were adjusting to big social and economic changes.

Census workers began collecting information on 1 April 1950. They counted more than 150 million people living in:

• The 48 states.
• The District of Columbia.
• Alaska and Hawaii (which were then United States territories).
• Other United States territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Panama Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How the Census Was Collected

The Census Bureau took extra steps to make sure everyone was counted:

• Military members were counted at their duty stations.
• College students were counted where they went to school.
• Radio and newspaper ads reminded people to take part.
• On 11 April, called “T‑Night” (Transient Night), census workers visited hotels, motels, YMCAs, and similar places to count people without permanent housing.
• Babies born between January and March 1950 received special attention so they were not missed.

What the Census Reveals about America in 1950

The United States was changing quickly in 1950. The country had just come out of World War II, and the economy was strong. Many families were doing better financially, and a growing middle class was forming.

A law called the GI Bill helped veterans attend college, buy homes, and start new careers. During this time, suburbs expanded, the baby boom began, and tensions from the Cold War were starting to appear.

Housing After the War

With many veterans returning home and starting families, housing was a major issue. The 1950 census asked questions about:

• Whether people owned or rented their homes.
• How much homes were worth.
• Whether families lived on farms or in towns and cities.

When you look at the census, you may see young families in new neighborhoods, multiple families sharing a home, or relatives living together because housing was hard to find.

Work and Income

The 1950 census included more questions about jobs and earnings than earlier censuses. These questions help show how people were adjusting to life after the war. It recorded:

• Wages earned in 1949.
• How many weeks people worked during the year.
• Their jobs and the type of businesses they worked in.

These details can help explain changes in careers, family income, and living conditions.

Education and Opportunity

Education became more important for many Americans after World War II. The census asked people about:

• The highest grade they completed.
• Whether they were attending school.

This information is especially useful for understanding how education shaped new opportunities for veterans and their families.

Migration and Community Change

The 1950 census also shows how people were moving within the country. You may notice:

• Population growth in Western and Southern states.
• The expansion of suburbs around large cities.
• Families moving for factory, defense, or manufacturing jobs.

Questions in the 1950 Census

The 1950 census sheds light on the unique socioeconomic landscape of the mid-20th century. It was divided into different forms (P1–P8) to account for different demographics.

P1—Population and Housing

• Name
• Relationship to the head of household
• Race
• Sex
• Age
• Marital status
• Birthplace
• Citizenship or naturalization, if they were foreign-born

Extra Details for People 14 and Older

• Whether they were working, keeping house, unemployed, or unable to work
• Hours worked the previous week
• Their occupation
• The industry they worked in
• Whether they worked for a private employer, the government, or their own business or were without pay

Special Sample Questions (Asked to 1 in 5 People)

• Where they lived a year earlier
• Parents’ birthplaces
• Schooling and highest grade completed
• Income in 1949
• Weeks worked
• Job history
• Military service
• How many children women had ever given birth to

Special Forms for Certain Groups

Besides the main P1 form, a few groups were counted on additional schedules:

• Indian Reservation Schedule (P8): Extra questions about tribe, clan, languages, and cultural participation
• Merchant Marine (P4): Used to count crew members working at sea
• Overseas Census (P5): For military personnel and United States government employees living abroad
• Infant Card (P3): Used only to compare newborn registrations with census counts (these cards don’t survive today)

These forms captured information about people who might be missed on the regular household form.

Accessing the 1950 United States Census

You can search and view the 1950 census for free on FamilySearch.org with a free account. Both the index and the original images are available.

The 1950 census is also on Ancestry, MyHeritage, and the National Archives websites. These sites may require a subscription, but many public libraries and FamilySearch centers offer free access.

Who Created the Records

The 1950 census was created by the United States Bureau of the Census, a part of the United States Department of Commerce.

Language

English

Location of Original Records

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)