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About the Bureau

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What We Do

Our Mission

The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work openly.

We are guided on this mission by scientific objectivity, our strong and capable workforce, our devotion to research-based innovation, and our abiding commitment to our customers.

Our Authority

The Census Bureau operates under Title 13 and Title 26 of the U.S. Code.

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide the best mix of timeliness, relevancy, quality and cost for the data we collect and services we provide.

What Data We Collect & When

Decennial Census of Population and Housing

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years.

Economic Census

The Economic Census is the U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy.

Census of Governments

Identifies the scope and nature of the nation's state and local government sector including public finance and public employment and classifications.

American Community Survey (ACS)

A mandatory, ongoing statistical survey that provides data every year. It gives communities the current information they need to plan investments and services.

Our Surveys and Programs

Our surveys provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about the nation, critical for government programs, policies, and decisionmaking.

Economic Indicators

The Census Bureau releases fourteen different reports on key economic indicators. Each indicator is released on a specific schedule.

How Our Data Are Used

To determine the distribution of Congressional seats to states.

Mandated by the U.S. Constitution
Used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives
Used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government

Find out about the 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program

To make planning decisions about community services, such as where to:

Provide services for the elderly
Build new roads and schools
Locate job training centers

To distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.

Census data informs how states and communities allocate funding for:

Neighborhood improvements
Public health
Education
Transportation
Much more

To provide Age Search information for:

Qualifying for Social Security and other retirement benefits
Passport applications
Proving relationship in settling estates
Researching family history or a historical topic

Other Activities

Customer Information

Data Linkage Activities

The Census Bureau makes extensive use of administrative data to produce census and survey data.

Fellowship Programs

International Programs

Respond to Requests

Research Opportunities at the Census Bureau [<1.0 MB]

Census Event & Training Calendar

Last Revised: April 21, 2015

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