1 Goal

Identify long-term trends in the institutional population in mental institutions by analyzing decennial census.

2 From Mass Institutionalization to De-Institutionalization

3 Examining by Race and Sex

3.1 By Race

3.1.1 Population Counts

3.1.2 Population Proportions

3.2 By Sex

3.2.1 Population Counts

3.2.2 Population Proportions

4 Comparing with Total Population

4.1 By Race

4.1.1 Institional Population

4.1.2 Total Population

4.2 By Sex

4.2.1 Institional Population

4.2.2 Total Population

5 About Data

The Decennial Census may be the best resource for identifying long-term trends in the institutional population in mental institutions. The Decennial Census of 1890, 1940, and 1970 has information on the institutional population in mental institutions by color, age, gender, and others. However, the data are not comparable from one census to another as they are not tabulated in consistent manners. For example, the 1940 Census reports the institutional population counts only for 14 years old and above, while the other two Censuses have the information for all ages. Therefore, take caution when interpreting the data. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html

5.1 Decennial Census 1890

link to the data

5.2 Decennial Census 1940

link to the data

5.3 Decennial Census 1970

link to the data