United States Census

1850


The 1850 United States Census was commenced on June 1, 1850. It was during a significant period where there was a large amount of growth and innovation during the Industrial Revolution.

This time it was divided into two parts - a population schedule and a slave schedule. The slaves were not named this time but the owners of the slaves were named.

Again, information was collected regarding people who were deaf, dumb or blind, but this time it was grouped together with information about the insane and idiotic and also new categories of pauper and convict.


This was also the first time where they tried to collect information about all the members in the household, including women, children and slaves. However, no relationship was recorded between household members.

Population Schedule


The information collected was:-

  • name of every person whose regular abode on June 1, 1850 / 1860 was in this family;
  • age;
  • gender;
  • color (white, black, mulatto);
  • profession, occupation, or trade of all males over age 15;
  • value of real estate;
  • place of birth (state, territory, or country);
  • whether married within the year;
  • whether attended school within the year;
  • persons over 20 years of age who cannot read or write;
  • Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict.

Slave Schedule


The information collected regarding the slaves was:-

  • names of slave owners;
  • number of slaves;
  • description - age, sex, color;
  • fugitives from the state;
  • number manumitted (released from slavery); and
  • deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic

Overall, there was 23 191 876 individuals recorded compared to the previous census where 17 069 453 individuals were recorded.

Return from 1850 information to US Records page

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