While genealogists are most interested in the raw data recorded in population schedules, other historians rely on the compiled statistics from the census to describe changes in the nation's demographics over time. The government publishes census data in printed reports, and the Census Bureau now publishes an on-line compilation.
The Newberry Library has copies of the printed census reports for the years 1790-1900. These reports are described in the card catalog on the 3rd Floor, under the subject heading United States- Census Office- (year).
Note: The card catalog contains both the subject headings United States- Census Bureau and United States- Census Office. The statistical abstracts are catalogd under the latter subject heading.
United States Census Bureau (Web site.) The Website of the Census Bureau contains offers tools for analyzing data from the most recent census and on-line access to statistical reports of the census. Your Gateway to Census 2000 offers researchers geographic and topical options for analyzing the 2000 census. Selected Historical Decennial Census Population and Housing Counts contains a variety of analyses of historical data from the census schedules of 1790-2000. Copies of the printed reports of the census in PDF format are available at: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/index.htm
University of Virginia Geospatial and Statistical Data Center. United States Historical Census Data Browser (Web site). This database allows users to analyze and compile census data from 1790-1960. It also contains a page of historical background on the U.S. census.