United States, Census, 1910

About the 1910 United States Census

The 1910 U.S. census was the 13th census of the United States. It is an important resource for learning about individuals and families during the Progressive Era, before World War I brought major changes to the country.

Census workers began collecting information on 15 April 1910. They counted about 92 million people living in:

• The 46 states.
• The District of Columbia.
• The territories of Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii.
• Puerto Rico.
• The Philippines (United States military and naval personnel stationed there).

The Census in 1910 America

In 1910, the United States was changing quickly. Factories were expanding, cities were growing, and large numbers of immigrants were arriving from southern and eastern Europe. During this time, the Progressive Era pushed for reforms to improve working conditions, reduce poverty, and address corruption.

Work, Industry, and Daily Life

A major focus of the 1910 census was how people earned a living. It recorded each person’s job, the type of work each person did, and whether people worked for themselves or an employer or owned a business.

When you look at these records, you may notice:

• Family members working in factories, mines, farms, or small businesses.
• Boarders or lodgers living in the home to help with expenses.
• Young adults earning wages to support parents or siblings.

Immigration and New Arrivals

The census also shows how immigration shaped the country. It recorded each person’s year of immigration, citizenship status, and the language spoken at home by foreign‑born individuals and their parents. These details can help you:

• Estimate when an ancestor arrived in the United States.
• Find passenger lists or naturalization records.
• Learn about your family’s language and cultural background.

For many families, the 1910 census may be the first record that includes newly arrived relatives.

Families and Children

Family life was another key part of the 1910 census. For married women, it recorded how many children they had and how many were still living. This information can help reveal:

• Children who died young.
• Gaps between known siblings.
• The effects of illness or hardship on a family.

By comparing the 1910 census with earlier or later censuses, you may also see changes in household size, marriages, or relatives moving in or out of the home.

Communities in Transition

The 1910 census captures a country balancing rural traditions with growing cities. You may see:

• Families moving from farms to industrial towns.
• African American families relocating during the early stages of the Great Migration.
• Increased movement to Western states.

Together, these records help you understand where your ancestors lived, how they adapted to change, and how their communities evolved over time.

Questions in the 1910 Census

The general population schedule asked the following information, which you can use to piece together a rich picture of your family:

• Household Information
  
  • Street or avenue
  • House number
  • Number of dwelling in order of visitation
  • Number of family in order of visitation
• Individual Information
  
  • Name (first, middle, last)
  • Relationship to head of household
  • Home ownership (own or rent); if owned, free or mortgaged
  • Whether the home is a farm
• Personal Details
  
  • Sex
  • Race (White, Black, Mulatto, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, or Other)
  • Age at last birthday
  • Marital status (Single, Married, Widowed, Divorced)
  • Number of years married
  • Number of children born and number still living (for women)
  • Place of birth (state or foreign country)
  • Mother’s and father’s place of birth
  • Whether able to speak English; if foreign born, whether naturalized
• Occupation and Work
  
  • Trade or profession
  • Industry or business
  • Whether an employer, employee, or working on own account
  • Whether currently employed, seeking work, or not in the labor force
• Education
  
  • School attendance
  • Literacy (able to read and write)

Aside from the standard population schedule, the 1910 census had special schedules for individualized groups:

• Agricultural Schedule: Details about farms, crops, livestock, and land
• Manufacturing Schedule: Business production, employees, products
• Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes Schedule: Prisons, asylums, poorhouses
• Indian Population Schedule: Native Americans on reservations; many still included on general population schedules

Accessing the 1910 United States Census

You can search and view the 1910 census for free on FamilySearch.org with a free account. Both the index and the original images are available.

The 1910 census is also on Ancestry, Fold3, MyHeritage, Findmypast, and theNational Archives websites. These sites may require a subscription, but many public libraries and FamilySearch centers offer free access to them.

Who Created the Records

The 1910 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)