Lake Forest College Library: Government Resources: U.S. Census Guide

Government Information

The United States Constitution requires that a population count be taken every ten years to determine the number of Congressional Representatives and the amount of federal taxes each state is assigned. Over the decades, the United States Census has evolved to include not only the number of U.S. residents but also other data primarily on population and housing but often also some on business/economics. Types of population and housing information may include race, marital status, number of rooms in the home, and so on. Business information might include manufactures by state. (See U.S. Census Bureau: History for more information on the history of the U.S. Census.)

This guide includes links to online U.S. Census data and maps and an overview of print U.S. Census materials at Lake Forest College. The print Census materials included in this guide can be found in the Reference Area on the main floor, unless otherwise indicated.

Several Census or Census-related items, such as the title Components of Population Change in Northeastern Illinois, 1980-86, may be found in Archives and Special Collections on the library's lower level. Also located in Archives and Special Collections, the archive for the Wood Institute for Local and Regional Studies contains community files for various Chicago suburbs. Some of these files contain census material. For more information, please contact Archives and Special Collections.

Check the catalog for call numbers and availability of census materials. Not all of our census materials are included in the catalog. If you would like assistance, please contact the Reference Desk.

Two important points:

The useful Census of Population and Housing website has links to some online census data (including some maps) organized by census year from the 2000 Census back. Information not included in our print collection might be found here.

The demographics of specific neighborhoods may be covered by more than one census tract; census tracts are usually not equivalent to named neighborhoods, townships, or community areas.

2000 | 1990 | 1980 | 1970 | 1960 | 1950 | 1940 | 1930 | 1920 | 1910 | 1900 | 1800s | To Learn More

2000 Census

Available online:

Census 2000 Data

Census 2000 Tract Outline Maps by State: Description

Census Atlas of the United States: 2000 Special Reports: Also available in print: Atlas Case G1201.E2 U5 2007

Determining the Census Tract Number for a Given Address
2000 Census of Population and Housing

Characteristics of American Indians and Alaska Natives by Tribe and Language
Population and Housing Unit Counts United States (Summary), Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
Summary Population and Housing Characteristics for United States, Illinois, and Wisconsin
Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics for United States (Summary), Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin

Note: Census 2000 data may also be found on DVD in Government Documents in the call number range of Software C 3.275 to Software C 3.282/2.
Census 2000 Tract Outline Maps may also be found on DVD in Government Documents (call number: Software C 3.275:M 32/DVD).

1990 Census

Available online:

Census 1990 Data

Reference Maps (includes 1990 census tracts and block groups)

Census 1990 Tract Outline Maps by State: Description

1980-1990 Trend Changes for Cities
1990 Census of Housing

Detailed Housing Characteristics for United States, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
General Housing Characteristics for Illinois
Metropolitan Housing Characteristics
Residential Finance

1990 Census of Population

Ancestry of the Population in the United States
Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States
Characteristics of the Black Population
Characteristics of American Indians by Tribe and Language
Education in the United States
Foreign-Born Population in the United States
General Population Characteristics for Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
Persons of Hispanic Origin in the United States
Social and Economic Characteristics for the United States, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin

1990 Census of Population and Housing

Alphabetical Index of Industries and Occupations

Classified Index of Industries and Occupations

Content Determination Reports

Labor Force
Veterans
Industry, Occupation, and Class or Worker
Place of Work and Journey to Work
Race and Ethnic Origin
Birthplace, Citizenship, Year of Entry and Language
Education
Income
Housing: Occupancy and Structural Characteristics
Housing: Plumbing, Equipment, and Fuels
Housing: Financial Characteristics
Housing: Federal Legislative uses of Decennial Census Data

Evaluation and Research Reports

Content Reinterview Survey: Accuracy of Data for Selected Population and Housing Characteristics as Measured by Reinterview
Effectiveness of Quality Assurance
Programs to Improve Coverage in the 1990 Census

Guide (Text and Glossary)

General Population Characteristics for: the United States

History (Parts A and D)

Summary Population and Housing Characteristics for the United States, Indiana, Illinois (REF CENSUS HA 201 1990 CPT-1-15), Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

Population and Housing Unit Counts for United States and Illinois

Reference Reports: 1990 Census Questionnaires and Other Public Use Forms

Summary Social, Economic and Housing Characteristics for the United States, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico

Social, Economic and Housing Characteristics for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Guam, and American Samoa

Population and Housing Characteristics for Congressional Districts of the 103rd Congress for Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin

Supplementary Reports

Urbanized Areas of the United States and Puerto Rico
Metropolitan Areas as Defined by the Office of Management and Budget, June 30, 1993

Population and Housing Characteristics for Census Tracts and Block Numbering Areas for Chicago; Lake County, IL; Illinois (outside metropolitan areas); Indiana (outside metropolitan areas); Wisconsin (outside metropolitan areas); and various cities in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. A Finders Guide to Census Tract Reports is also available.

Population and Housing Unit Counts for Indiana and Wisconsin

Tabulation and Publication Program for Puerto Rico

Maps (and map help):

1990 Census Tracts Illinois Metro Counties: Census Tract Maps by County (includes Lake County)
1990 Census Tracts Illinois Non-Metro Counties: Census Tract Maps by County
1990 Census Tracts Missouri Metro Counties: Census Tract Maps by County
1990 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Characteristics for Census Tracts and Block Numbering Areas, Illinois (outside metropolitan area), Maps, Part 1 of 2
1990 Census of Population and Housing, Population and Housing Characteristics for Census Tracts and Block Numbering Areas, Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI CMSA (Part), Chicago, IL PMSA, Maps (Cook County)
Maps and More: Your Guide to Census Bureau Geography

1980 Census

Available online:

1980-1990 Trend Changes for Cities 1980 Census of Housing

Characteristics of Housing Units: General Housing Characteristics for United States (Summary) and Illinois
Characteristics of Housing Units: Detailed Housing Characteristics for United States (Summary), and Illinois
Components of Inventory Change (some, including United States and Regions)
Metropolitan Housing Characteristics for various American cities, including Chicago
Residential Finance
Subject Reports (some, including Condominium Housing)
Supplementary Reports including Selected Housing Characteristics by States and Counties: 1980 and Components of Inventory Change Survey

1980 Census of Population, Characteristics of the Population

Detailed Population Characteristics for the United States (Summary) and for various individual states including Illinois and territories including the Virgin Islands of the United States
Detailed Social and Economic Characteristics for Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
General Population Characteristics for Illinois
General Social and Economic Characteristics for the United States (Summary) and most of the states including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
Number of Inhabitants for the United States (Summary)

1980 Census of Population and Housing

Block Statistics: Finders' Guide to Block Statistics Reports (United States Summary)
Census Tracts for the United States (Summary), for Illinois (selected areas) and for Chicago, IL

1980 Maps (and map help):

1980 Census Tracts for the selected areas of various states including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
1980 Census Tracts for various American cities including Chicago

1970 Census

1970 Census of Housing

Block Statistics for various American cities, including Chicago, IL/Northwestern Indiana. The accompanying maps (showing census tracts and enumeration districts) are included as inserts for most cities, including Chicago, IL/Northwestern Indiana.

Census Tract Conference Papers GE40 Nos. 1 and 2

Census Tracts for various cities, including Chicago

Components of Inventory Change for United States and Regions and for various cities, including Chicago

Subject Reports (some, including Cooperative and Condominium Housing and Housing of Senior Citizens)

Supplementary Reports, various, including Summary Housing Characteristics for the United States, Regions, Divisions and States: 1970

Employment Profiles of Selected Low-Income Areas for United States (Summary), various cities, and various rural areas.

Evaluation and Research Program (numerous titles, including Accuracy of Data for Selected Population Characteristics as Measured by Reinterviews)

Final Report: General Demographic Trends for Metropolitan Areas, 1960 to 1970 for United States (Summary) and for various states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin

Geographic Identification Code Scheme for Northeast, Central, South, and West Regions

Housing Characteristics for States, Cities, and Counties for United States (Summary) and most states

Metropolitan Housing Characteristics for United States and Regions and for various American cities

Procedural History

Publication and Computer Summary Tape Program (various issues)

Residential Finance

1970 Census of Population

Detailed Characteristics for Illinois
General Population Characteristics for Illinois
Characteristics of the Population for United States (Summary) and most states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
Supplementary Report: Population and Land Area of Urbanized Areas, for the United States (1970 and 1960)
Subject Reports (numerous, including National Origin and Language)
Supplementary Reports, including Low-Income Neighborhoods in Large Cities (1970) for various cities, such as Chicago and New York City

1970 Census of Population and Housing

Census Tract Conference Papers GE40 Nos. 1 and 2
Census Tracts for various cities, including Chicago
Employment Profiles of Selected Low-Income Areas for United States (Summary), various cities, and various rural areas.
Evaluation and Research Program (numerous titles, including Accuracy of Data for Selected Population Characteristics as Measured by Reinterviews)
Final Report: General Demographic Trends for Metropolitan Areas, 1960 to 1970 for United States (Summary) and for various states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
Geographic Identification Code Scheme for Northeast, Central, South, and West Regions
Procedural History
Publication and Computer Summary Tape Program (various issues)

1970 Maps:

Census of Housing Block Statistics maps for selected areas in New York State

1960 Census

1960 Census of Housing

City Blocks for various cities, many with block maps included as inserts
Housing of Senior Citizens
Metropolitan Housing for United States and Divisions and for various cities, including Illinois
Residential Finance
Rural Housing: Homeowner Properties (Part 1) and Rental and Vacant Properties (Part 2)
Special Reports for Local Housing Authorities for United States (Summary) and for selected cities
States and Small Areas for the United States (Summary) and various states

1960 Census of Population

Characteristics of the Population for United States (Summary) and for Illinois
Characteristics of the Population: Number of Inhabitants
General Population Characteristics for United States (Summary) and most states, including Illinois
Detailed Characteristics for most states, including Illinois
General Social and Economic Characteristics for most states, including Illinois
Selected Area Reports (various, including Americans Overseas)
Subject Reports (various, including Income of the Elderly Population)
Supplementary Reports (various, including Families in the United States)

1960 Censuses of Population and Housing

Census County Division Boundary Descriptions for various states
Evaluation and Research Program of the U.S. Censuses of Population and Housing 1960 (Series ER Numbers 1-11)
Geographic Identification Code Scheme for United States
Procedural History

1950 Census

1950 Census of Housing

Farm Housing Characteristics: United States and Economic Subregions
General Characteristics for United States (Summary), for each state, and for territories and possessions
Nonfarm Housing Characteristics for various cities, including Chicago
Residential Financing for United States and for Large Standard Metropolitan Areas, including Chicago
Block Statistics for various cities with accompanying maps, but not Chicago. Chicago statistics and maps can be found online.

1950 Census of Population

Characteristics of the Population for United States (Summary) and for each state
Number of Inhabitants

Other 1950 Maps:

Portfolio of United States Census Maps: 1950

1948 Census of Business

Retail Trade: General Statistics, Merchandise Line Sales Statistics, and Area Statistics
Service Trade: General Statistics and Area Statistics
Wholesale Trade: General Statistics, Commodity Line Sales Statistics, and Area Statistics

1947 Census of Manufacturers

General Summary
Indexes of Production
Product Supplement
Statistics by Industry
Statistics by States

1940 Census

1940 Census of Business

Construction 1939
Distribution of Manufacturers' Sales 1939
Retail Trade 1939
Service Establishments 1939
Wholesale Trade 1939

1940 Census of Housing

Characteristics by Monthly Rent or Value for each state
Data for Small Areas for United States (Summary) and for each state
General Characteristics for United States (Summary) and for each state
Mortgages on Owner-Occupied Nonfarm Homes for United States (Summary) and for each state

1940 Census of Population

Characteristics by Age
Characteristics of the Population for United States (Summary) and for each state
Comparative Occupation Statistics for the United States, 1870-1940
Differential Fertility 1940 and 1910
Education
Internal Immigration 1935 to 1940 (various)
Labor Force for United States (Summary) and for each state
Number of Inhabitants

1940 Other

Manufactures 1939
Mineral Industries 1939
Measurement of Geographic Area
United States Life Tables and Actuarial Tables, 1939-1941
Vital Statistics Rates in the United States, 1900-1940

1930s Other Census Material

Biennial Census of Manufactures 1931, 1933, 1935
Financial Statistics of Cities 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935
Financial Statistics of State and Local Governments 1932

1930 Census

1930 Population

Families: Reports by States Giving Statistics for Counties, Cities, and Other Urban Places
General Report on Occupations
General Report: Statistics by Subject
Number and Distribution of Inhabitants
Occupations by States
Reports by States: Composition and Characteristics for Counties, Cities, and Townships (for each state)

1930 Other

Abstract of the Fifteenth Census 1930
Construction Industry
Distribution of Sales of Manufacturing Plants
Distribution: Retail Distribution and Wholesale Distribution
Manufactures 1929: General Report, Reports by Industries, and Reports by States
Metropolitan Districts: Population and Area
Mines and Quarries 1929
Outlying Territories and Possessions
Unemployment: Unemployment Returns and General Report

1920s Other Census Material

Biennial Census of Manufactures 1921, 1923, 1925, 1927
Financial Statistics of Cities 1922, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1927, 1929
Financial Statistics of Cities Having a Population of Over 30,000: 1921
Statistical Atlas of the United States: 1924 (includes maps)

1920 Census

1920 Population

Composition and Characteristics of the Population by States
General Report and Analytical Tables
Occupations

1920 Other

Abstract of the Fourteenth Census of the United States: 1920
Manufacturers 1919: General Report and Analytical Tables, Reports for States with Statistics for Principal Cities, and Reports for Selected Industries
Mines and Quarries 1919

1910-1919 Other Census Material

Abstract of the Census of Manufactures 1914, 1919
Benevolent Institutions (and related volumes of data) 1910 Census of Manufactures 1914
Financial Statistics of Cities 1910, 1911, 1912, 1915, 1918
Financial Statistics of Cities 1915
General Statistics of Cities 1915
Indian Population in the United States and Alaska 1910 Religious Bodies 1916
Statistical Atlas of the United States 1914 (includes maps)
United States Life Tables 1910
Telephones, Telegraphs, and Municipal Signaling Systems 1912
Wealth, Debt, and Taxation (Volume II) 1913

1910 Census

Abstract with Supplement for Illinois
Manufactures 1909: Reports for Principal Industries
Mines and Quarries 1909: General Report and Analysis

1900-1909 Other Census Material

General Statistics of Cities 1909
Financial Statistics of Cities 1909
Special Reports 1900 (various, including Statistics of Women at Work)
Special Reports 1902 (various, including Mines and Quarries)
Special Reports 1905: Manufactures
Special Reports 1906: Religious Bodies
Special Reports 1907: Telephones
Special Reports 1908-1909: Marriage and Divorce, 1867-1906
Special Reports: Wealth, Debt, and Taxation
Statistics of Cities 1908

1900 Census

Abstract of the Twelfth Census 1900
Agriculture
Manufactures
Population
Special Reports of the Twelfth Census (various)
Statistical Atlas
Vital Statistics

1890s Other Census Material

Indians: Six Nations of New York (1892)

1890 Census

Abstract of the Eleventh Census: 1890
Agriculture (numerous volumes)
Benevolence (and related volumes)
Churches
Compendium of the Eleventh Census (1890): Population and Miscellaneous Statistics
Farms and Homes
Insurance
Manufacturing Industries
Mineral Industries
Population
Real Estate Mortgages
Transportation
Vital and Social Statistics
Wealth, Debt, and Taxation

1880 Census

Agriculture
Compendium of the Tenth (1880) Census
Cotton Production
Forest Trees of North America
Mining Industries Mining Laws
Mortality and Vital Statistics
Population
Power and Machinery Employed on Manufactures
Social Statistics
Special Reports (various)
Statistics of Agriculture
Statistics of Manufactures
Statistics of Wages
Transportation
Valuation, Taxation, and Public Indebtedness
Water Power

1870 Census

Compendium
Population
Vital Statistics
Wealth and Industry

Earlier Censuses

Statistics of the U.S. in 1860
Statistics of the State of Michigan: Compiled from the Census of 1860 (located in Special Collections; Call number: HA442 1860 A)
Report of the Superintendent of the Census for December 1, 1852 [Abstract of the Seventh Census] (located in Special Collections; Call number: HA2011850 .C62)
1850 Census of Lake County, Illinois (located in Special Collections; Call number: F547.L2 U54 1976)
Census of Pensioners, Sixth Census
Compendium of the Sixth Census (1840)
Abstract of Returns: Fifth Census (1830)
Census for 1820
A Statement of the Arts and Manufactures of the United States for the Year 1810
Aggregate Amount of Persons Within the U.S. in 1810
Second Census of the United States (1800)
First Census of the United States (1790)

To Learn More

Some U.S. Census Bureau Websites:

American Factfinder
Census of Population and Housing (links to some online census data, including some maps, organized by census year from the 2000 Census back)
County and City Data Book 2007 (Library has the print volumes for 1956, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1983, 1988, 1994, 2000, and 2007. Call number: REF HA 202.A36)
U.S. Census Bureau

Other Useful Websites:

ICSPR (Lake Forest College students, faculty, and staff only)
Social Explorer (Lake Forest College students, faculty, and staff only)
University of Michigan Library: Explore Government Documents Search (Filtered by Demographics)
University of Virginia Library: Historical Census Browser

International Census Information:

Censuses in the World (from the Czech Statistical Office)
International Statistical Agencies
Population Reference Bureau (reports on U.S. and international population trends and related issues such as mortality and diseases)