Oregon Census

Federal

Many federal census records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more detailed information about these records.

The Family History Library has the 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 U.S. federal censuses for the state of Oregon. The 1890 census has been destroyed. The 1890 Union veterans' schedule is available at the Family History Library (FHL film 338236) and at the National Archives.  See also United States Census Online for information on how to access censuses online.

Statewide indexes are available for the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses in book and microfiche format. A soundex (phonetic) index is also available on microfilm for part of the 1880 and all of the 1900 and 1920 censuses.

Mortality schedules (lists of deaths during the census year) exist for the years 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses. The schedules for the 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 are indexed in book format. The schedules and indexes are available at the Oregon State Library, the Oregon Historical Society Library, and the University of Oregon.

Territorial and State

The 1850 Federal census for the Oregon Territory is available and has been indexed by several compilers. Territorial and state censuses also exist for a few counties for the years 1842, 1843, 1845, 1849, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1865, 1885, 1895, and 1905.

Most of the extant schedules from 1842-1859 are indexed (FHL film 899786) and published. In most of these censuses only the heads of households are listed. Copies of most are available at the Oregon State Archives and the Family History Library. They are listed in the catalog under OREGON - [COUNTY] - CENSUS.