1850 United States Census Questions

Answers to the 1850 census records questions were to be based on the status of households on June 1, 1850.

The 1850 census had two schedules to it: the regular schedule of households and a slave schedule for those households with slaves. They are both listed below here.

1850 Regular Schedule Questions

Column	Question
1	dwelling house numbered in order of visitation
2	families numbered in order of visitation
3	name of every person whose usual place of abode on June 1, 1850 was in this family
4	age
5	sex
6	color - white, black, or mulatto
7	profession, occupation, or trade of each male person over 15 years of age
8	value of real estate owned
9	place of birth, naming the state, territory, or country
10	married within the year
11	attended school within the year
12	persons over 20 years of age who cannot read or write
13	whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict

1850 Slave Schedule Questions

Column	Question
1	name of slave owner
2	number of slaves
3	age
4	sex
5	color - black or mulatto
6	fugitive from the state
7	number manumitted
8	deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic

In the 1850 census records there were 31 states in the United States (Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and California were new). There were also 4 new territories (Oregon, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Utah) which were enumerated as well. There were no substantial state- or district-wide losses in the 1850 census.

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