The structure of Massachusetts state censuses was similar to those of U.S. federal censuses.^[13]

Only the name of the head of household is listed in New York state censuses from 1825 to 1845.^[14] Beginning in 1855, the name of every person in the household is listed.^[14] The 1855 to 1875 New York state censuses asked the person for the name of the county that one was born in if one was born in New York State.^[14] Also, the 1865 New York state census asked many questions about military service.^[14]

New York did not conduct a census in 1885 because its Governor David B. Hill refused to support the proposed census due to its extravagance and cost.^[15][16] Governor Hill objected to the idea of spending so much state money on a state census that was as extravagant as the 1880 U.S. Census.^[15][16]

The 1892 New York state census is more vague, asking only for a country of birth (rather than a specific U.S. state or New York county of birth), not indicating relationships of various people to each other, and not indicating where new families begin on the census forms.^[14] Indeed, the 1892 New York state census contained only seven questions — name, sex, age, color (race), country of birth, citizenship status, and occupation.^[17] Meanwhile, the censuses from 1905 to 1925 asked for relationships of people to each other but also only asked for a country of birth.^[14] Also, the 1925 New York state census asked for the date and place of naturalization for naturalized U.S. citizens.^[14]