Then and Now: A Look Back at the 1950 Census

Question 1

People in over 140 million housing units were counted in the 2020 Census. How many homes were visited in 1950?

Accepted Answer

45 million

Question 2

In 2020, the population was 331 million, an increase of 119% from 1950. What was the population during the 1950 Census?

Accepted Answer

About 151 million

Question 3

Over 15 million women worked in 1950. About how many women aged 16 and over worked in 2019?

Accepted Answer

Over 75 million

Question 4

In 1950, about 70% of people 14 years and over were married. What is the percentage today?

Accepted Answer

About 50 percent

Question 5

The average family income in 1950 was $3,300 a year. What was the estimated median household income in 2019?

Accepted Answer

About $66,000

Question 6

The 1950 Census center of population was Clay County, Illinois. Where was the center of population for the 2020 Census?

Accepted Answer

Hartville, Missouri

Question 7

The 1950 Census questionnaire had 20 questions on the short form. How many questions were asked for the 2020 Census?

Accepted Answer

9

Question 8

UNIVAC 1, the first nonmilitary computer used after the 1950 count, weighed 16,000 pounds and used 5,000 vacuum tubes.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 9

About 91% of people aged 25 and over completed 4 years of high school or more in 2020. What was the percentage in 1950?

Accepted Answer

About 34 percent

Question 10

Guess the median age of people counted in the 1950 Census. (Hint: Younger than 39, the nation's median age in 2019.)

Accepted Answer

About 30 years old

Questions 10