Each census taker was responsible for visiting all of the households within a specific geographic area. This region was called an enumeration district.
Geographical hierarchy: Diagram showing the relationship between federal, state, county, city / township, and enumeration district boundaries. National Archives, Record Group 29, NAID 195980236.
Supervisor instructing census workers about maps, 1950. National Archives, Record Group 29, NAID 348937133.
A map of urban enumeration districts in Portland, Maine, 1950. The orange lines represent enumeration districts while the green lines are for wards and city boundaries. National Archives, Record Group 29, NAID 18559605.
Diagram showing census workers how to canvass a city block. They were to go clockwise around the block until returning to their the start point. Bureau of the Census, Urban & Rural Enumerator's Reference Manual, 1950 Census of the United States (Washington, DC, 1950), p. 3.
A map of rural enumeration districts in Penobscot County, Maine, 1950. While the urban enumeration districts followed blocks and wards, these rural districts were shaped in great measure by rivers and streams. National Archives, Record Group 29, NAID 16684473.
Research roadblock: You cannot easily search for addresses in the census—even on platforms with other advanced searching options. If you know where a Veteran lived in 1940 and want to see who lived at that address in 1930 or 1950, you will need to follow a manual process.
Census District Supervisor Charles A. Gering standing over a 1946 map of Elizabeth, New Jersey, 1950. (National Archives)
What is the process for looking up addresses? You will use an online tool that takes an address for a given census year and tells you the enumeration district. Then, you will browse the census pages in that enumeration district until you find the right address. You will learn more about this process soon.
1950 Census Enumeration District Map for Manhattan, New York City by C.B. Bailey, 1953. (National Archives)
The annotated image below highlights how the 1940 census recorded locational information (the 1930 and 1950 censuses are similar). In particular, you will see how addresses were recorded on the census. Understanding how this works can help you browse records quickly.
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1940 US Census Population Schedule for Washington, DC. Enumeration District 1-295, Sheet 15B.
Here is a page of the 1940 census. It features Rose M. Meyers (row 58), who would serve in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).
Rose M Meyers is listed on row 58. 1940 US Census Population Schedule for Indianapolis, Indiana. Enumeration District 96-60, Sheet 1B.