For directions on reading the variable description see Data Dictionary Introduction.

Availability: 
 

1850	1860	1870	1880	1900	1910	1920	1940	1950	1960	1970	1980	1990
		X		X	X	X	X	X		F1	X	X

Universe: 
 

1870 - 1910:	Men age 21+ who were not citizens at birth.
1920 - 1940:	Persons who were not citizens at birth.
1950:	Foreign-born persons.
1970:	Foreign-born persons (Form 1 samples).
1980 - 1990:	Foreign-born persons.

Codes and Frequencies

Description: 
CITIZEN reports the citizenship status of those individuals who were not U.S. citizens at birth from 1900-1940 and foreign-born individuals since 1950. Respondents are classified as either naturalized or non-citizens. Note that the universe prior to 1920 did not include women and children under age 21, but in 1920-1940 the question was asked of all persons who were not U.S. citizens at birth. In 1950, the universe was expanded to include all foreign-born individuals, regardless of their U.S. citizenship status at birth, introducing the category "Born abroad of American parents." Prior to 1950, respondents who were not yet citizens but who had begun the naturalization process ("received first papers") can also be identified. For later years, these persons can not be distinguished from other non-citizens. 

Comparability: 
This variable is basically comparable across years, but users will have to be aware of the following information in order to make 1900 and 1910 comparable with later years: 

Until 1922, United States law held that foreign-born children under age 21 and foreign-born married women had the same citizenship status as their fathers/husbands. Thus, though in 1900 and 1910 citizenship status was asked only for foreign-born men age 21 and over, users can determine it for their co-resident wives and children as well: all wives and children of native-born or naturalized husbands were considered citizens regardless of their birthplace. 

After 1922, foreign-born women had to go through the naturalization process themselves in order to obtain citizenship. Foreign-born children under age 18 became naturalized upon the naturalization of either parent. 

Flags: QCITIZEN 

Census Questions:
1870   1900   1910   1920   1940   1950   1970   1980   1990

Enumerator Instructions:
1870   1900   1910   1920   1940   1950   1970   1980   1990