U.S. Census Bureau
Broadcast Home
PhotoZone
Facts for Features Photos
2004 Census Test Operational Photos
income and poverty
census bureau centennial
featured photo of the month
american community survey series
special topics
historical info
RadioZone
VideoZone

PhotoZone | Historical Info

Public Information Office

Historical Information

According to the U.S. Constitution, everyone in the country - citizen or not - must be counted every 10 years. Although methods have advanced with technology, the U.S. Census Bureau has been counting the population since the first census in 1790.


Historical Photographs — These photographs show census activities over the years from 1890 to 1995.

 Photograph of a Census worker using the Hollerith Pantograph machine

Historical Forms and Questions: 1790-1970 — Images and additional information about forms that were used during the time period from 1790 to 1970.

 Close-up of 1790 census form


Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office
Last Revised: December 17, 2002

Newsroom | News Releases | Broadcast Services | Tip Sheets | Facts for Features | Minority Links

Skip this main site navigation menu