Digitizing the 1960 U.S. Census to trace lives and aging over decades
New cross-sectional and longitudinal data for the study of aging: 1960 full-count U.S. Census
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11261108
This project will put the full 1960 U.S. Census online and link it to other census years so researchers can follow how people's lives and health changed as they aged.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11261108 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team will convert the paper 1960 full-count Census into a searchable digital microdata file. They will capture street addresses and assign detailed geographic locations for each record. Unique linkage keys will be created so individuals can be followed across multiple census years. The final dataset and documentation will be shared broadly so scientists can study life-course trajectories across the twentieth century.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People born in the early-to-mid 20th century and their family members whose records appear in U.S. censuses are the primary populations represented in the linked data.
Not a fit: People without U.S. census records or those born well after 1960 are unlikely to be represented and will not directly benefit from this historical dataset.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this resource could help researchers identify how early-life and mid-life conditions influence health and aging, guiding prevention and care strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous census digitization and linkage efforts (for example, the 1940 and 2000–2020 censuses and partial 1960 samples) have been completed successfully, and this project extends that proven work to fill a remaining gap.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ALEXANDER, JOSEPH T. — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: ALEXANDER, JOSEPH T.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.