History of the Census
|
Posted By: Steve Williams on March 21, 2010 http://2010.census.gov/2010census/why/cons... The first census began more than a year after the inauguration of President Washington and shortly before the second session of the first Congress ended. Congress assigned responsibility for the 1790 Census to the marshals of the U.S. judicial districts. The pay allowed for the 1790 "enumerators" was very small, and did not exceed $1 for 50 people properly recorded on the rolls. The First Federal Congress established a special committee to prepare the questions to be included in the first census. The suggestions were likely debated in the House, and according to a report in a Boston newspaper, Virginia Representative James Madison recommended at least five of the initial six questions. The six inquiries in 1790 called for questions on gender, race, relationship to the head of household, name of the head of household, and the number of slaves, if any. Marshals in some states went beyond these questions and collected data on occupation and the number of dwellings in a city or town. The 2010 questionnaire is one of the shortest in history, and comes very close to the length and scope of inquiries asked in 1790. Everyone in the household answers seven questions: name, gender, race, ethnicity, and whether they sometimes live somewhere else. The head of household answers how many people live in the residence, whether it is a house, apartment, or mobile home, and provides a telephone number for Census workers to follow up if any information is incomplete or missing. The first census in 1790 was managed under the direction of Thomas Jefferson, the Secretary of State. Marshals took the census in the original 13 states plus the districts of Kentucky, Maine, and Vermont, and the Southwest Territory (Tennessee). Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson was nominal supervisor of the census on Census Day, August 2, 1790. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
|
|
Steve Williams
None, None Member Since July 2009 |
Comments
|
Question: Well, three questions really. Which of the questions on the first census are now outdated? Which differences from the first census, on the current census, are inappropriate (or redundant or stupid)? Does anyone believe that the statutory confidentiality of the answers to these questions will actually guarantee confidentiality? Sunday, March 21st 2010 at 7:02PM |
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
Get that Oil change then go save that body Donate Blood Jiffy Lube was our mechanic of choice
Versiti is our Blood Bank of choice
Glow Go Geugh LSUSports.net
...more
How May I Help You NC • 158 Views • April 21st, 2026 |
 |
R&B Songwriter/Actor CHRISTIAN KEYES Is Back With Hot New Single "Your Love Feels Like Home"@CHRISTIANKEYES #CHRISTIANKEYES
IG@ChristianKeyes
YouTube@ActorChristianKeyes
FB@ActorChristianKeyes
After having all three songs from his recent album, on the Billboard top 30 R&B chart, CHRIST ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 277 Views • April 20th, 2026 |
 |
JUNIQUES GOSPEL MUSICAL REVIEW MOVEMENTJUNIQUES GOSPEL MUSICAL REVIEW MICRO‑BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT CREED
For Builders. For Dreamers. For Doers. For the Movement.
I believe my business has value.
I believe my work has purpose.
...more
rickey johnson • 321 Views • April 18th, 2026 |
 |
How the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Came to BeTo understand the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, you have to see the bigger picture of Hyundai's overall strategy. When Hyundai first entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the modest Excel, it was considered ...more
Randi Payton • 238 Views • April 16th, 2026 |
 |
Houston TX Wordsmith RICHIE MIKE Is Back With Hot New Single "Block Getting Hot"@RICHIEMIKE #RICHIEMIKE
YouTube@RICHIEMIKE
FB@RICHIEMIKE
IG@RICHIEMIKE
Video For Single
"Block Getting Hot" Below.
https://youtu.be/Co-vGLqNECM?si=_YG5-Dj-9kxjkx4Z
https://www.foxfirema ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 653 Views • April 15th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,943,273 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 119,300 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 77,381 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 62,538 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
