Copy Age Record For Free

The records were released under a federal law that protects individual-level records for 72 years after the census is taken.

Why 72? The most common explanation is that 72 years was the average lifespan at the time, although documentation corroborating this is sparse. The 1940 Census counted 132.2 million Americans, 89.8% of whom were white. At the time there was no census category for Hispanics (it was not added to census forms until 1980).

Publications related to the census data collected from 1790 to 2020 are available at . Visit the National Archives Web site to access 1940 and 1950 Census records. Decennial census records are confidential for 72 years to protect respondents' privacy.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) today released 1950 Census records. America Counts asked NARA staff to discuss the significance of the release and how it will benefit the public. You can search the 1950 Census population schedules by name and address.

Decennial Census records are available to the public for free through the National Archives 72 years after each census is taken. Records for all people counted in the 1950 Census will be released by the National Archives and Records Administration April 1.

The National Archives and Records Administration is responsible for making census records publicly available. Records are available at National Archives facilities and many large public and university libraries. Visit the National Archives Website to access 1940 and 1950 Census records.

Individuals may request their own records (before they are publicly available) via the Census Bureau's Age Search service. This service provides individual information from censuses that are still protected by the 72-year rule, but only to the named person, his or her heirs, or legal representatives.