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Our population statistics cover age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, migration, ancestry, language use, veterans, as well as population estimates and projections.
The U.S. Census Bureau is the official source of statistical data tracking the national economy.
Business is a large part of America's diverse economy. This section provides key information about businesses in your community.
This section provides information on a range of educational topics, from educational attainment and school enrollment to school districts, costs and financing.
We measure the state of the nation's workforce, including employment and unemployment levels, weeks and hours worked, occupations, and commuting.
Our statistics highlight trends in household and family composition, describe characteristics of the residents of housing units, and show how they are related.
Health statistics on insurance coverage, disability, fertility and other health issues are increasingly important in measuring the nation’s overall well-being.
We measure the housing and construction industry, track homeownership rates, and produce statistics on the physical and financial characteristics of our homes.
Income is the gauge many use to determine the well-being of the U.S. population. Survey and census questions cover poverty, income, and wealth.
The U.S. Census Bureau is the official source for U.S. export and import statistics and regulations governing the reporting of exports from the U.S.
The U.S. Census Bureau provides data for the Federal, state and local governments as well as voting, redistricting, apportionment and congressional affairs.
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Geography provides the framework for Census Bureau survey design, sample selection, data collection, tabulation, and dissemination.
Geography is central to the work of the Bureau, providing the framework for survey design, sample selection, data collection, tabulation, and dissemination.
Find resources on how to use geographic data and products with statistical data, educational blog postings, and presentations.
The Geographic Support System Initiative will integrate improved address coverage, spatial feature updates, and enhanced quality assessment and measurement.
Work with interactive mapping tools from across the Census Bureau.
Find geographic data and products such as Shapefiles, KMLs, TIGERweb, boundary files, geographic relationship files, and reference and thematic maps.
Metropolitan and micropolitan areas are geographic entities used by Federal statistical agencies in collecting, tabulating, and publishing Federal statistics.
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Definitions of geographic terms, why geographic areas are defined, and how the Census Bureau defines geographic areas.
We conduct research on geographic topics such as how to define geographic areas and how geography changes over time.
Visit our library of Census Bureau multimedia files. Collection formats include audio, video, mobile apps, images, and publications.
Official audio files from the Census Bureau, including "Profile America," a daily series of bite-sized statistics, placing current data in a historical context.
infographics include information on the Census Bureau's history of data collection, our nation's veterans and the American Community Survey.
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Developer portal to access services and documentation for the Census Bureau's APIs.
Explore Census Bureau data on your mobile device with interactive tools.
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These external sites provide more data.
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How we provide the best mix of timeliness, relevancy, quality, and cost for the data we collect.
Information about the U.S. Census Bureau.
Information about what we do at the U.S. Census Bureau.
Our researchers explore innovative ways to conduct surveys, increase respondent participation, reduce costs, and improve accuracy.
Our surveys provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about the nation, critical for government programs, policies, and decisionmaking.
Learn about other opportunities to collaborate with us.
Explore the rich historical background of an organization with roots almost as old as the nation.
Explore prospective positions available at the U.S. Census Bureau.
Information about the current field vacancies available at the U.S. Census Bureau Regional Offices.
The latest press releases and statements from the U.S. Census Bureau. Also, find upcoming events, and useful information for journalists and media.
The Census Bureau's Director writes on how we measure America's people, places and economy.
Find interesting and quirky statistics regarding national celebrations and major events.
Official audio files from the Census Bureau, including "Profile America," a daily series of bite-sized statistics, placing current data in a historical context.
Find media toolkits, advisories, and all the latest Census news.
See what's coming up in releases and reports.
A Special Census is a basic enumeration of population, housing units, group quarters and transitory locations, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau at the request of a governmental unit. They are conducted on a cost-reimbursable basis. The U.S. Census Bureau's authority to conduct Special Censuses is specified in Title 13, United States Code, Section 196.
For Special Census purposes, a governmental unit is defined as the government of any state, county, city, or other political subdivision within a state, or the government of the District of Columbia — or the government of any possession or area — including political subdivisions, American Indian Reservations, or Alaskan Native villages.
A Special Census may be conducted on subjects covered by the censuses, provided for in Title 13 of the United States Code.
Data collection for a Special Census is conducted using an update/enumerate methodology. During update/enumerate, enumerators canvass their assignment areas using census maps and address registers that contain addresses and location information for housing units. The enumerators update the address lists and census maps by adding housing units not already listed, making corrections to address information, updating maps with feature changes, and deleting listings that do not exist. The Special Census Enumerator Questionnaire is similar to the 2010 Census short form. The Special Census Enumerator Questionnaire is used to collect data on all persons living in a household.
If requested, during Special Census operations the Census Bureau will also enumerate people living in group situations. The structures that house people living in groups are called Group Quarters. Some examples of Group Quarters include colleges, hospitals, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and military installations. A Group Quarters may contain regular housing units as well.
For Group Quarters enumeration, we complete an Individual Census Report (questionnaire) for each individual housed in a particular unit. The questionnaire used is also similar to the 2010 Census short form, except there is only one person's data on each form.
People living in Transitory Locations are also counted. Transitory Locations are places where people who have no usual home elsewhere live. Transitory Locations are Recreational (RV) parks (not mobile home parks), Marinas, Commercial and/or public Campgrounds, Racetracks, Carnivals, and some Hotels or Motels (with long term residents).
Local officials frequently request a Special Census when there has been a significant population change in their community due to annexation or growth. In some states, an increase in population that is established by Official Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau may result in an increase in state revenue sharing or other benefits.
The Special Census program is typically on hiatus during Decennial Census years. During the hiatus the U.S. Census Bureau updates program materials and systems. The Census Bureau has been authorized to conduct Special Censuses since 1903; the nation's first Special Census was conducted April 15, 1915.
Although the method in which Special Censuses are conducted has changed, the basic objective remains the same - to obtain updated population and housing counts.
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