South Carolina Census Records
Statewide South Carolina 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 Census Schedules 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Census Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Census Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Union Veterans Census Schedules exist for 1890.
South Carolina Census Overview
Both original and microfilm federal census records can be found at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. A portion of the Richland District 1800 census is unavailable.
The Lexington District and York District 1850 census records can be quite useful because they list the county and state of birth for each person recorded.
Missing South Carolina Censuses
South Carolina census records that are missing include the following:
- Part of the 1800 census for Richland District is missing
South Carolina South Carolina and Territorial Census
There were no full colonial censuses taken by South Carolina. However, there are some state census fragments that still exist, which can be found at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
The Lauren District and Fairfield District state census records for 1829 still exist, as do the Chesterfield District and Kershaw District state census records for 1839. The 1869 South Carolina state census records are complete except for the following counties: Clarendon, Oconee, Spartanburg
The complete state census records from 1875 for Newberry County, Marlboro County, and Clarendon County are still available, but only partial records still exist for the counties of Beaufort, Fairfield, Sumter, Lancaster, and Abbeville.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History has those original records on file. Certain records have also been published in genealogical periodicals that have been published for the state.
Searchable South Carolina Census Resources
You may find the following resources helpful in your research of South Carolina census data.
South Carolina, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890 collection contains the following indexes: 1790 Federal Census Index; 1800 Federal Census Index; 1810 Federal Census Index; 1820 Federal Census Index; 1830 Federal Census Index; 1840 Federal Census Index; 1840 Pensioners List; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1850 Slave Schedule; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1860 Slave Schedule; 1890 Veterans Schedule; Colonial Probate Index; Early Census Index.
- Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: South Carolina
- Census records and Cherokee muster rolls
- South Carolina Census, 1790-1890
- 1860 Federal Slave Schedule
- Index to the 1800 Census of South Carolina
- Free Blacks and Mulattos in South Carolina 1850 Census
- South Carolina Census Books
Suggested Reading
