The 1850 census contains the names of the family members, not much else of interest.
The 1860 census contains the names of the family members, not much else of interest.
The 1870 census contains the names of the family members, not much else of interest.
The 1880 census was the first US census that recorded the address of each family. We list here my paternal ancestors as they were recorded in the 1880 census. I think the page is self-explanatory. My ancestors were concetrated at this time in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.
The 1900 census is the best census for genealogical purposes. Listed here is the month and year of birth, marital state, number of years married, number of children born of this mother and number of children living, birthplace of self and parents, occupation and emigration data. My experience is that the 1900 census is the most accurate.
The 1910 census is similar to the 1900 census in that it has information on number of children born to a married woman. Some of the enumerators list whether a marriage is their first marriage (or second et cetera). At least for my areas of interest the author does not find this census as accurate as the 1900 census.
The 1920 census does not have nearly as much information as the previous two censuses. Still there is still immigration data, but not as reliable as 1900 and 1910. A disappointing census.
The 1930 census is similar to the 1920 census except it distinguishes between the newly created Irish Free State, 26 counties of the republic and Northern Ireland, which comprises 6 of the 9 counties of Ulster. Also there is a listing for Veteran status ( WWI or Spanish American), date when first married and worth of Home or rent that you pay.