Florida State Census
Census Records. The Archives has a growing collection of U.S. Census
and Soundex records currently numbering over 8,000 rolls of microfilm,
as well as a collection of the Florida state censuses of 1885, 1935,
and 1945 which, with a few exceptions, are complete enumerations of
the state's residents. There are also 150 rolls of microfilm covering
various Native-American censuses and enrollment cards. Please contact
the reference staff for more information on the specific states and
years available at the Archives.
Biographical / Historical Note
The purpose of the federal census is to enumerate the entire population
of the country every ten years by county jurisdiction. The first six
federal censuses, those from 1790 to 1840, were overseen by federal
marshals. The first Census Office began operation in Washington in 1850.
This was only temporary as the Office was disbanded after each count.
The Census Office became permanent in 1902.
The first six censuses were similar in content, naming only the heads
of families. All other people were noted only by tally marks in categories
for age, sex, race, and slavery, except that the Constitution excluded
from the census all Indians not taxed. The later federal censuses included
a variety of different schedules. The 1850 and 1860 censuses contained
free population, slave population, mortality, agriculture, and industry
schedules. The 1870 and 1880 counts included schedules for population,
mortality, agriculture, and industry. Less than one percent of the
results of the 1890 census remain after the 1921 fire in Washington. The
1900 census has separate schedules for population, mortality, agriculture,
and manufactures. The census of 1910 had different schedules for
population, agriculture, and manufactures.
The federal census was first compiled in Florida in 1830. It has served
as Florida's census record since 1950 due to the abolishment of the
state census in 1949 (Senate Joint Resolution #46, 1949).
State censuses were compiled in 1845 and every ten years after
(Article IX, Sections 1, 2, 1838, 1861, 1865 Constitutions; Article XIII,
Section 1, 1868 Constitution; Article VII, Section 5, 1885 Constitution).
The state census was abolished in 1949 (Senate Joint Resolution #46,
1949). The federal census has therefore served as Florida's census
record since 1950.
First census 1845
Record Group: 001021
Call Number: S 1373
Summary - Scope Note
1.00 item
This series contains the census returns from the first state census
conducted in 1845. The series includes enumerations of the inhabitants
of Alachua, Benton, Columbia, Duval, Gadsden, Hamilton, Hillsborough,
Jackson, Jefferson, Leon,
Madison, Marion, Orange, St. Johns, Walton, Wakulla, and Washington
counties. The document also compares the federal enumeration taken in 1845.
The enumeration lists the county, the name of the census taker, the number
of white males over and under 21, the number of white females over and
under 18, the number of male and female slaves, and the number of male and
female free coloreds. The enumeration does not list the names of the
inhabitants of the Florida counties.
Second census 1855
Record Group: 001021
Call Number: S 1374
Summary - Scope Note
0.25 cubic ft.
This series contains returns from the second state census conducted in 1855.
Returns for Marion County are the only known existing state census records
for 1855.
The information recorded in the book includes the name of the head of the
family, the number of white males over and under 21, the number of white
females over and under 18, the number of children between 5 and 18, the
number of children in schools, the number of male and female slaves, the
value of the slaves, the number of male and female free persons of color,
the number of acres of and value of land, and the value of buildings,
furniture, and plantation livestock. The book also includes a
recapitulation for the entire county.
Third census 1867
Record Group: 001021
Call Number: S 1375
Summary - Scope Note
1.00 cubic ft.
This series contains returns from the third state census conducted in 1867.
Although incomplete, the records include books of enumeration from
Hernando, Madison, Orange, and Santa Rosa Counties, total tabulations for
the State, and miscellaneous fragments, such as a page listing the
enumeration for Franklin County.
The books of enumeration have separate listings for "colored" and white
inhabitants. Both include the name of the head of the family, the number
of males over and under 21, the number of females over and under 18,
the total number of inhabitants, and the number of males between 18 and 45.
The tabulations list population totals by county for "colored" and
white populations.
Fourth census
Record Group: 001021
Call Number: S 1364
Summary - Scope Note
1.00 microfilm reel(35 mm.)
This series contains the returns of the fourth state census of Florida
conducted in 1875. It is incomplete; it contains only the state census
records of Alachua County. The information recorded in the returns
includes the name, age at last birthday, sex, and race of all those
persons listed. For some entries, other information is provided including
occupation, the value of real estate, the value of personal property,
the number of acres planted in cotton, the number of acres planted in
cane, and the number of orange trees.
Tenth census 1935
Record Group: 001021
Call Number: S 5
30.00 microfilm reels(35 mm.)
Summary - Scope Note
This series contains the original schedule of the tenth state census
conducted in 1935. The schedule includes the following information:
name, address (whether inside or outside city limits), age, sex, race,
relation to family, place of birth, degree of education, whether home
owner or renter, and occupation. There is no index to these records.
Eleventh census 1945
Record Group: 001021
Call Number: S 1371
43.00 microfilm reels(35 mm.)
Summary - Scope Note
This series contains the original schedule of the eleventh state
census conducted in 1945. The schedule includes the following
information: name, address (whether inside or outside city limits),
age, sex, race, relation to family, place of birth, degree of
education, whether home owner or renter, and occupation. A few
precincts are missing. There is no index to these records.
This information was taken from the Florida State Archives
web site. The microfilm is available at the State Archives and
may be available from other sources. Unlike the Federal Census
there is no 72 year waiting period on viewing the State Census.