Census notes

The 2010 Census is the 23rd headcount of the population in our nation’s history.

Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution specifies that the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives is to be distributed proportionally among the states on the basis of the census to be conducted every 10 years.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released highlights of the past 23 headcounts, which began in 1790.

1790: Six questions were asked, and the census was conducted in the 13 original states as well as the districts of Maine, Vermont, Kentucky and the Southwest Territory (Tennessee). The U.S. Marshals, who conducted the census, submitted their results to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, nominal director of the census. The U.S. population: 3.9 million.

1800: Secretary of State John Marshall, future chief justice of the United States, reported the 1800 Census results to President John Adams. The five most populous cities: New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston and Charleston, S.C. The U.S. population: 5.3 million.

1810: Assistant marshals were required to actually visit each household to complete the count, rather than relying on hearsay. Marshals, in addition to collecting demographic data, were required to collect data on manufacturing establishments and the types of goods they produced. The U.S. population: 7.2 million.

1820: It was the first census to inquire if respondents were engaged in agriculture, commerce or manufacturing. Respondents were asked to identify the number of "foreigners not naturalized" in the household. The U.S. population: 9.6 million.

1830: For the first time, enumerators used uniform printed schedules, as opposed to whatever paper was available. This made for more efficient tabulations of census results. For the first time, respondents were asked whether they were blind, or "deaf and dumb.” The U.S. population: 12.9 million.

1840: The new population inquiries included questions about school attendance, literacy and vocation. New Orleans was the nation’s third largest city. The U.S. population: 17.1 million.

1850: The number of population inquiries grew. Every person’s name was to be listed, not just the head of household. The marshals collected additional "social statistics," including information on taxes, schools, crime, wages, value of the estate and mortality. The U.S. population: 23.2 million.

1860: American Indians living under state and territorial laws as citizens were enumerated, and it was the final census with slave schedules. Abraham Lincoln elected president, prompting South Carolina to leave the Union on Dec. 20, 1860. The U.S. population: 31.4 million.

1870: After the Civil War, questionnaires were reordered and redesigned to account for the end of the "slave questionnaire." A rudimentary tallying machine — the Seaton Device — was used to tabulate census data. The U.S. population: 38.6 million.

1880: Professional enumerators replaced U.S. Marshals as census takers. When no one was available at a family’s usual residence, the enumerator was directed by law to obtain the required information from a family or person living nearby. Number of enumerators: 31,382. The U.S. population: 50.2 million.

1890: For the first time, questions included how many living children mothers had, year of immigration to the U.S., citizenship status and ability to speak English. First census to use the Hollerith machine, an electric tabulating system that utilized encoded punch cards. This innovation substantially sped up tabulation of census results. The machine was invented by Herman Hollerith, a former census employee widely regarded as the father of modern automatic computation. The U.S. population: 63 million.

1900: In 1902, the formerly temporary Census Office was made a permanent organization within the Department of the Interior. In 1903, it became the Census Bureau and was transferred to the Department of Commerce and Labor. The U.S. population: 76.2 million

1910: For the first time, respondents asked about their mother tongue and whether they were a Union or Confederate veteran. For the first time, enumerators in large cities distributed questionnaires in advance — a day or two prior to Census Day — so people could become familiar with the questions and have time to prepare their answers. The U.S. population: 92.2 million.

1920: This was the first census in which the majority of the population lived in urban areas. "Usual place of abode" became the basis for enumeration, rather than where people worked or might be visiting. People with no regular residence were enumerated where they were when count was taken. The U.S. population: 106 million.

1930: First time respondents were asked about whether their home has a radio. With the nation descending into the Great Depression, Census Bureau rushed out unemployment information collected in the census. When the numbers it reported were attacked as being too low, Congress required a special unemployment census for January 1931. The U.S. population: 123.2 million.

1940: First census to use advanced sampling techniques, including probability sampling. The questions asked of only a sample of the population were part of the first "long form." Questions on employment, unemployment, internal migration and income added. The U.S. population: 132.2 million.

1950: First time Americans abroad were enumerated, including members of the armed forces and U.S. government employees living in foreign countries. For the first time, a computer (UNIVAC I) was used to tabulate census results. It was the first computer designed for civilian use. The U.S. population: 151.3 million.

1960: First mail-out decennial census; most households were asked to complete the questionnaire and hold it until an enumerator came to pick it up. Census conducted in two stages: first, a quick collection of a few data items for every person; second, collection of more detailed economic and social information from a sample of households. The U.S. population: 179.3 million.

1970: Number of questions on long-form questionnaire reduced from 66 to 23. For the first time, a separate question on Hispanic origin was asked of a 5% sample of the population. The U.S. population: 203.3 million.

1980: Mail-out/mail-back program expanded, with about 95 percent of the population enumerated in this manner. Short form contained seven population and 11 housing questions; the long form contained an additional 26 population and 10 housing questions. The U.S. population: 226.5 million.

1990: Short form asked 13 questions and long form 45 questions. "S-Night," a one-night sweep of homeless shelters and other areas where the homeless were known to congregate, was conducted. The U.S. population: 248.7 million.

2000: Short form asked seven questions; the long form asked 52 questions. Census Bureau embarks on aggressive paid advertising campaign with Young and Rubicam. This campaign contributed to the rise in the mail-back rate to 67%. The U.S. population: 281.4 million.

2010 (not completed): Census form is one of the shortest in history: just 10 questions that only take about 10 minutes to answer. Integrated communications campaign with DraftFCB and many subcontractors to boost public awareness and participation through paid advertising, a Road Tour, Census in Schools, partnership, social media, a NASCAR race car and an interactive 2010 Census Web site. Ads in 28 languages (in contrast to 17 languages in 2000) to reach all segments of the population. The expected U.S. population: around 309 million.