This page includes links to research and information, including historical Census and other government documents that give background information about the Census tracts (Census Tract Movement). The Census tract idea began originated in 1906 by Dr. Walter Laidlaw in New York City.

Census Tract Manuals

• Census Tracts in American Cities (Census Tract Manual) (1934) A Brief History of the Census Tract Movement, with an outline of Procedure and Suggested Modifications. Prepared by Howard Whipple Green and Leon E. Truesdell. December 1934.

• Census Tracts in American Cities (Census Tract Manual) (1937) A Brief History of the Census Tract Movement, with an outline of Procedure and Suggested Modifications. Prepared by Howard Whipple Green and Leon E. Truesdell. Revised Edition. July 1937.

• Census Tract Manual. Third Revision. Revised and Enlarged. 1947.

Decennial Censuses

• Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940
  • Volume 1: Number of inhabitants. Total population for States, counties, and minor civil divisions; for urban and rural areas; for incorporated places; for metropolitan districts; and for census tracts.
    • United States Summary: Introduction
      • Page 11: Census Tracts
      • Talbe 19 (page 65): List of cities for which Census Tract data is available, with an indication as to the availability of comparable 1930 figures.
    • Volume 1: Number of inhabitants
      • Table 8 in each State section gives the population of the tracted areas in that State. Maps of tracted areas are also included.

• Census of Population: 1950
  • Volume 3: Census Tract Statistics
    • Alphabetized by city, each report provides historical background on Census tracts, statistical data, a table showing comparability of tracts between 1950 and 1940, and index of census tracts, and a map of the tracted area.