This database details those persons enumerated in the 1830 United States Federal Census, the Fifth Census of the United States. In addition, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to the actual images of the 1830 Federal Census, copied from the National Archives and Records Administration microfilm, M19, 201 rolls. (If you do not initially find the name on the page that you are linked to, try a few pages forward or backward, as sometimes different pages had the same page number.)

Enumerators of the 1830 census were asked to include the following categories in the census: name of head of household, number of free white males and females in age categories: 0 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 30, 30 to 40, 40 to 50, 50 to 60, 60 to 70, 70 to 80, 80 to 90, 90 to 100, over 100; the name of a slave owner and the number of slaves owned by that person; the number of male and female slaves by age categories; the number of foreigners (not naturalized) in a household; and the number of deaf, dumb and blind persons within a household. The categories allowed Congress to determine persons residing in the United States for collection of taxes and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives.

The United States was the first country to call for a regularly held census. The Constitution required that a census of all "Persons...excluding Indians not taxed" be performed to determine the collection of taxes and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives. The first nine censuses from 1790-1870 were organized under the United States Federal Court system. Each district was assigned a U.S. marshal who hired other marshals to administer the census. Governors were responsible for enumeration in territories.

The official enumeration day of the 1830 US census was 1 June 1830. All questions asked were supposed to refer to that date. The count was due within six months, but the due date was extended by law to allow completion within twelve months. By 1830, there were a total of twenty-four states in the Union, with Missouri being the latest edition. The new territory of Florida also had its first census in 1830. There are no state or district wide losses, however, there were some countywide losses in Massachusetts, Maryland and Mississippi.

Find out more about the 1830 United States Federal Census (not a free trial).