1950 Census



1950 census takerThe last census release to the public was of the US Federal 1940 Census in April 2012. Now everyone waits ten years before the next decade census – 1950 is released on April 1, 2022. By law, for privacy reasons, census records are not released to the public until 72 years after that census was taken.

However, for your own personal family research there is a method to view a copy of a 1950 census record before 2022. The later census records are held in the Census Bureau’s National Processing Center (NPC) in Jeffersonville, Indiana. These include to the last census of 2010.

Individuals may request their own records (before they are publicly available) via the Census Bureau Age Search service. The information on that 1950 Census can be gathered by only to the named person, his or her heirs, or legal representatives. There is a set fee at $65 per census per person search and an application has to be completed first. The application is BC-600, a search for census records. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks to get the search and copy out to you by mail. If you need it sooner, there is an additional $20 charge. If you want information on persons in that household, a charge of $10 extra is made. All the details are written out on the application.  1950 census Truman family

If you want to search a relative who is deceased, the person submitting the BC-600 application must be a direct blood relative, the surviving spouse or the legal estate representative.

To get the 1950s census information is easier than the more recent years, there are restriction and more details needed, such as a resident’s address for the 1960 to 2010 censuses.

So if you do not want to wait until 2022 and are willing to spend some money, that census data can be sent to you early. You just can’t get the details from the 1950 census on cousins, friends or neighbors, but for your siblings or parents it is good.  1950s census- Einstein

Photos: 1950 Census being taken at a person’s home; Census taken of the Harry Truman family in 1950 and the census being taken of Albert Einstein in 1950.

Related FamilyTree.com genealogy blogs:

Census Facts on the 50 States

Census Reporter

< Return To Blog THIS IS THE CRAZIEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD OF..1950 CENSUS NOT BEING RELEASED UNTIL 2022......YOU PEOPLE ARE MAKING A KILLING OFF OF THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM.ARE THERE NOT ENOUGH UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN THE US TODAY THAT COULD HELP WITH THIS..IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM???????
BARBARA RILEY 21/04/15


Thanks for writing about the 1950 US Census. According to the "72-Year Rule," the National Archives releases census records to the general public 72 years after Census Day. As a result, the 1930 census records were released April 1, 2002, and the 1940 records were released April 2, 2012. The 1950 census records will be released in April 2022. Their reasoning: Why 72? The most common explanation is that 72 years was the average lifespan at the time, although documentation corroborating this is sparse. This protected a person’s privacy. Who knows that could change in the future.
alice 21/04/15


The fact that I cannot have access to the U.S. Census Reports after 1940 is ridiculous. That means that anyone in my family born after 1940 cannot be researched until 2022. THAT IS ABSURD and so UNFAIR.!!
Gerelyn J Reynolds 21/04/15


I am the owner and member of Ancestry Family tree Ryan/Wall tree. I would love my family census section for 138 Whitman Ave, West Hartford, CT as I was not born in 1940, but in Nov.1941. we moved to 171 Main St Manchester, CT and I can only hope I live until it is released. I am doing this tree for our 5 children!
Sheila Ryan Falkowski 21/04/15


Release the 1950 census all ready. Gee if they wanted your address they could look in the phone book or on line, on facebook. geez give it up already.
SYLVIA BROOKS 21/04/15


I would be interested in getting information for specific people
Terry Malloy 21/04/15


Start with what is known from birth records, social security, city directories, marriage records or death certificates - - also family Bibles. See if the person is written about in the local hometown newspaper - a good resource to use. Check the 1940 census records.
alice 21/04/15


The law is 72 years.
alice 21/04/15


It will come soon -- 2022 but cover all other sources - -city directories, local hometown newspapers, county home museums, see if there was a state census (example is Florida had one in 1945). Checking with Manchester, CT -(courthouse, newspaper, museums) you might find some information.
alice 21/04/15


You think 2022 is bad for the 1950 Census to be released? The British Census Bureau's last offering is 1911, and it will be the 1921 Census released in January 2022. The UK are so far behind in this it's ridiculous!
Jan 21/04/15


I'm amazed at how upset some folks seem to be that census records are not immediately available. The census' purpose is not to be a directory. I am happy enough that it does become available to the public eventually and 72 years seems reasonable to me.
MARY ROBINSON 21/04/15




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