Early Australian census records

Illuminate Australian society and your family history using census records from 1788 to 1901

Records of people

The earliest surviving census of South Australia is from 1841. The original returns (forms filled in by the public) from this census have survived. This means it is possible to find information about individuals listed on the 1841 census. No other South Australian census returns have survived, meaning that for later censuses, only statistics can be accessed.

South Australian records contain more information about Aboriginal Australians than most other early censuses. However, information about Aboriginal Australians may still be inaccurate.

Statistics

The earliest surviving census of South Australia is from 1841.

South Australian records contain more information about Aboriginal Australians than most other early censuses. However, statistics relating to Aboriginal Australians may still be inaccurate.