United States, Census, 1920

About the 1920 Census

The 1920 U.S. Census was the 14th census of the United States. It offers a snapshot of individuals and families just after World War I, as the country was entering the Roaring Twenties and before the hardships of the Great Depression. Census workers began collecting information on 1 January 1920. They counted more than 106 million people living in:

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

The Census in 1920 America

In 1920, the United States was going through major change. Many soldiers had recently returned home from World War I, and families were adjusting to life after the war. This period also marked the start of Prohibition, which banned the sale of alcohol and changed everyday social life.

The economy was beginning to grow, leading into the Roaring Twenties—a time of new industries, new technology, and changing social norms. At the same time, immigration and movement within the country were reshaping cities and communities across the nation.

Immigration and Citizenship

The 1920 census is especially helpful for tracing immigrant ancestors. It asked detailed questions about:

• When people immigrated to the United States.
• Whether they had become a United States citizen.
• The language they spoke as a child.

These details can help you find passenger lists, naturalization papers, and other immigration records. Immigration laws became more restrictive later in the 1920s, so this census often captures families during their early years in the United States.

Work and Industry

As factories grew and cities expanded, the 1920 census recorded each person’s job and the type of work people did. This information helps you see:

• People moving from farm work to factory or industrial jobs.
• Family members earning wages to support the household.
• More women working outside the home.

Households and Community Life

The 1920 census recorded family relationships, whether a home was owned or rented, and whether it was mortgaged. When you review these records, you may notice:

• Boarders or lodgers living with a family.
• Extended relatives sharing the same home.
• Families moving from rural areas to cities.

The census also reflects the early stages of the Great Migration, when many African American families moved from the South to northern and Midwestern cities in search of better opportunities.

Questions in the 1920 Census

The 1920 census recorded detailed information about each person living in the household.

• The state, county, township, city or town, precinct, and enumeration district where people lived
• Street name and house number (in many areas)
• Name of the head of household
• Names of everyone living in the home on 1 January 1920
• How each person in the home was related to the head of household (wife, son, daughter, boarder, servant, and so on)
• Sex
• Color or race
• Age at last birthday (useful for estimating birth year)
• Marital status (single, married, widowed, or divorced)
• Whether the home was owned or rented and whether it was mortgaged or owned free and clear
• Whether the person had attended school since 1 September 1919
• Whether the person could read and write
• Birthplace of the individual
• Birthplace of the individual’s father and mother
• Mother tongue of the individual, father, and mother
• Whether the person could speak English
• Year of immigration to the United States
• Whether the person was naturalized or an alien
• Year of naturalization (if applicable)
• Occupation or type of work
• The industry or business where the person worked (such as farming, railroads, steel mills, or domestic service)
• Whether the individual was employed on a farm (farm schedule number)

Accessing the 1920 Census

You can search and view the 1920 census for free on FamilySearch.org with a free account. Both the index and the original images are available.

The 1920 census is also on Ancestry, Findmypast, MyHeritage, and Fold3. These sites may require a subscription, but many public libraries and FamilySearch centers offer free access to them.

Some parts of the 1920 census can also be found on the National Archives website.

Who Created the Records

The 1920 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)