Census of 1852: Enumerating California

Advisory: Historical content and in historical documents may contain outdated terminology or distressing content which may be considered inappropriate or offensive to individuals or communities.

Comprised of 126 volumes, the Census of 1852 is a rich collection that provides a glimpse into the lives of early Californians. This exhibit explores how the Census of 1852 played a defining role in shaping the size of the California State Legislature and details its continued value as a historical resource. It includes visuals from the census volumes, government correspondence, published reports and maps preserved by the California State Archives and California State Library.