Statewide Pennsylvania Census records that exist are 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940.
There are Industry and Agriculture Schedules 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Union Veterans Schedules exist for 1890.
In 1790 the first federal census of Pennsylvania was taken. Most Federal census records from that year and subsequent years for the state are still available.
Copies are available on microfilm in a variety of locations, including: National Archives Mid-Atlantic Region, Pennsylvania State Archives, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State Library, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Other libraries also have copies available.
In 1870 there were two census enumerations taken in the city of Philadelphia. The second one listed street addresses.
The 1800 census has 3 published indexes, while the 1810 census has 2 available.
There are also two indexes for the 1850 census, and one of them is organized according to county name. Census records taken for Allegheny City and Pittsburgh from 1850 to 1880 each have all-name indexes available.
Those indexes can be found in Pittsburgh, at the Carnegie Library. The index for Philadelphia County for the 1910 Miracode is not with the index for the other parts of the commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania State Archives now holds microfilms of the original 1880 census records. State copies of 1840 to 1870 census records no longer exist.
However, some county records for those times are still extant. The National Archives Mid-Atlantic Region and the Pennsylvania State Library each have microfilmed copies of mortality and non-population records for the 1850 to 1880 censuses.
Missing Pennsylvania Censuses
Pennsylvania census records that are missing include the following:
- 1800 – Portions of Westmoreland and Bedford Counties
- 1810 – Portions of Cumberland, Bedford, and Philadelphia Counties
- 1820 – Portions of Lancaster, Monroe, Luzerne, and Lehigh, Counties
Pennsylvania State and Colonial Census
There were no state censuses taken in Pennsylvania. However, from 1779 through 1863 taxpayer enumerations were taken at 7-year intervals.
Those records are known as the Ceptennial Census records. Only some of them are still in existence today. The Salt Lake City Family History Library (GHL) and the Pennsylvania State Archives have microfilmed copies of those records that still exist on file.
Searchable Pennsylvania Census Databases
- Pennsylvania 1910 Miracode Index
- Pennsylvania Census, 1772-1890
- Heads of families at the first census of the United States taken in the year 1790.
- Pennsylvania Census Books
State Census Records Guides
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