Washington Census

Additional Information may be found on the United States Census Portal page.

Availability

1850--Oregon Territory census.

1860-1880--Washington Territory census.

1890--Census destroyed.

1900-1930--Washington State.

Historical Background

In 1848, Washington was included in Oregon Territory. Washington Territory was created in 1853 from the northern part of Oregon Territory. Washington became a state in 1889.

Indexes

Indexes in book and microfiche format are available for the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses. A soundex (phonetic) index is available on microfilm for part of the 1880 and all of the 1900, 1920 and 1930 censuses. For 1910 the Family History Library has a street index for Seattle (FHL fiche 6331481).

Special Censuses

Mortality Schedules

Mortality schedules exist for the 1850 (as part of Oregon Territory), 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses. The mortality schedules for 1860 to 1880 are available at the DAR library in Washington D.C. and at the Washington State Library. The Family History Library has copies of the 1860, 1870, and 1880 mortality schedules.

State Censuses

State censuses also exist for a few counties of Washington for various years. These generally include heads of households only. These partial censuses are available at the Washington State Library and the Family History Library (beginning with FHL film 1841781). The years included:

1854, 1857, 1861, 1871, 1875, 1877-1879, 1881, 1883, 1885, 1887, 1890-1892, 1907.