Where are census records prior to 1900 for California?

FamilySearch has CA State and US census records from 1790 forward.  There is an 1852 state census and then the federal census records as early as 1790.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/location/11?region=Californiahttp://

Good morning,

Thank you for posting your question on History Hub!

As a previous researcher pointed out, Census Records for California prior to 1900 are available to be viewed online.  Two popular platforms for searching Census Records are the genealogical websites Ancestry and FamilySearch.  Please keep in mind that Ancestry is a subscription-based database, but it is available for free public use at all National Archives facilities and many public libraries.  FamilySearch is free but you have to create an account with them.  Similar to Ancestry, many libraries across the county offer usage. 

Please take a moment to visit our Search Census Records Online and Other Resources page as it’s very helpful in determining what is available online and where you can view the records.  Also, you may wish to visit this other helpful page by FamilySearch on California Census Records.

You may also wish to view our American Indian Records in the National Archives page for more helpful information.

We hope this information is helpful and best of luck with your research!

Native Americans are rarely on U.S. census records prior to 1900.  See this page on the Census Bureau website:  https://www.census.gov/history/www/genealogy/decennial_census_records/censuses_of_american_indians.html