An official website of the United States government
end of header
Skip top of page navigation
The "72-Year Rule"
View larger image
Records from the 1940 census are still
protected by the "72-Year Rule." The
National Archives released them on
April 2, 2012.
The U.S. government will not release personally identifiable information about an individual to any other individual or agency until 72 years after it was collected for the decennial census. This "72-Year Rule" (92 Stat. 915; Public Law 95-416; October 5, 1978) restricts access to decennial census records to all but the individual named on the record or their legal heir.
For More information about the origin of the "72-Year Rule," see the following:
- Letter from Census Bureau Director, Roy V. Peel to Archivist of the United States, Wayne C. Grover, concerning the 72-year lapse between collection and release of decennial census records, August 26, 1952.
- Letter from Archivist of the United States, Wayne C. Grover to Census Bureau Director Roy V. Peel, in reply to Peel's August 1952 letter (above), October 10, 1952.
- Letter from Assistant Attorney General Robert G. Dixon, Jr., to General Counsel, General Services Administration, William G. Casselman II, Esg., concerning the origins of the "72-year Rule" and its evolution to 1973, June 14, 1973.
After 72 years, the records are released to the public by the National Archives and Records Administration. In accordance with the 72-Year Rule, the National Archives released the 1930 records in April 2002 and most recently, the 1940 records were released April 2, 2012.
For more information about the origins of the 72-Year Rule, see U.S. National Archives Pieces of History blog, "Census Records: The 72-Year Rule" published on January 20, 2022.
For more information about the availability of census records, download Availability of Census Records About Individuals [PDF 150KB].
For more information about using census records for genealogical purposes, visit the Genealogy and Genealogy Publications pages.
[an error occurred while processing this directive] This symbol indicates a link to a non-government web site. Our linking to these sites does not constitute an endorsem*nt of any products, services or the information found on them. Once you link to another site you are subject to the policies of the new site.
✕
Is this page helpful?
Yes No
✕
NO THANKS
255 characters maximum255 characters maximum reached
✕
Thank you for your feedback.
Comments or suggestions?
FAQs
The U.S. government will not release personally identifiable information about an individual to any other individual or agency until 72 years after it was collected for the decennial census.
How far back do U.S. census records go? ›
The United States has collected data about its population since 1790 and continues to collect data every 10 years. Currently, the National Archives has the 1790 to 1940 census records available to the public.
What are 3 things that were asked on the first census in 1790? ›
In 1790, assistant marshals listed the name of each head of household, and asked the following questions:
- The number of free White males aged: under 16 years. of 16 years and upward.
- Number of free White females.
- Number of other free persons.
- Number of slaves.
A January 10, 1921 fire at the U.S. Department of Commerce building in Washington, DC, destroyed the majority of the population schedules from the 1890 Census.
What is the 72-year rule for U.S. 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.
Can you view old census records for free? ›
You can access census records many different ways: View digitized Census Records online through one of our partners, ancestry.com or familysearch.org. (Familysearch.org is free-of-charge.
What happened to 1931 census? ›
Unfortunately, the 1931 census for England and Wales was destroyed by fire in 1942, and no census was taken in 1941 because of the Second World War.
Where did most Americans live at the time of the first census? ›
| 1790 United States census |
|---|
| Total population | 3,929,214 |
| Most populous state | Virginia (747,610) |
| Least populous state | Delaware (59,094) |
6 more rowsThe Federal Constitution stipulated that slaves were counted as three-fifths of a resident for tax purposes and the apportionment of the House of Representatives. Gather data on your immediate family: Names.
What was the largest city in the U.S. when the first census was taken in 1790? ›
New York city in 1790 pos- sessed a population of only 33,131, although it was the largest city in the United States; Philadelphia was second, with 28,522; and Boston third, with 18,320.
Most of the 1890 census' population schedules were badly damaged by a fire in the Commerce Department Building in January 1921.
What happened to the 1871 census? ›
Although the original census schedules were destroyed many years ago, the books were kept and eventually moved to the PRO archive. The books were then filmed in 1970 to prevent the increasing usage from destroying these fragile records.
Did any 1890 census records survive? ›
Over 6,160 persons are included in the surviving fragments of the general population census schedules for 10 states and the District of Columbia reproduced in National Archives Microfilm Publication M407, Eleventh Census of the United States, 1890 (3 rolls).
What year will the next census be taken? ›
Planning the 2030 Census is underway. The 2030 Census will count residents of the United States and five U.S. territories and will mark the 25th population count in the United States; the first was in 1790.
Is it required by law to complete the US Census? ›
Yes, your response is required by law. Title 13 United States Code, Sections 131 and 182, authorizes this collection. Sections 224 and 225 require your response. The U.S. Census Bureau is required by Section 9 of the same law to keep your information confidential and can use your responses only to produce statistics.
What does the Constitution say about census? ›
The Constitution Requires the Census
Section 2 states, “The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct."
Are 1960 census records available? ›
Records from the 1950 Census were released by NARA on April 1, 2022. The 1960 records will become available in April 2032.
Are 1970 census records available? ›
Decennial census records are confidential for 72 years to protect respondents' privacy. Records from the 1960 to 2020 censuses can only be obtained by the person named in the record or their heir after submitting form BC-600 or BC-600sp (Spanish).
Why are there no census records after 1940? ›
Introduction to Census Records
The first Federal Population Census was taken in 1790, and a census has been taken every ten years since. However, data from recent censuses are not available after 1950 because of a 72-year restriction on access to the Census.
Why do they wait 70 years to release the census? ›
The law, passed in 1978, was an outgrowth of an agreement between the Census Bureau and National Archives. For privacy reasons, access to personally identifiable information contained in decennial census records is restricted to all but the individual named on the record or their legal heir for 72 years.
indicates a link to a non-government web site. Our linking to these sites does not constitute an endorsem*nt of any products, services or the information found on them. Once you link to another site you are subject to the policies of the new site. 
Yes 
No 
255 characters maximum reached
