Data and Statistics about the U.S.
Find data about the U.S., such as demographic and economic data, population, and maps. Get information about the 2020 U.S. Census and learn how to respond.
Respond to the 2020 Census
The 2020 Census provides valuable information about U.S. demographics and the economy. Find out how and when to respond. Learn to protect yourself from census-related scams to keep your personal information safe. And see how the U.S. Census Bureau will use your census data.
Where do I respond to the 2020 Census?
You can respond to the census online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond, count everyone who lived in your home as of April 1, 2020.
What questions are on the 2020 Census form?
The census form includes a series of questions that you must answer. These questions ask about the number of people who reside in your home and each person’s age, race, and sex.
The census will not ask for your Social Security number or bank account information. It won’t request money or donations. If you get a census survey asking these questions, it's a scam.
You can review the complete list of questions on the 2020 Census before you respond.
Whom do I count in my household when I respond to the 2020 Census?
Not every person who is staying in your household as of April 1, 2020, should be counted for the census. The people in your household you should count include:
Young children and newborns
Roommates
People who are renting a space in your home
People who live in your home and who don’t have a primary residence
You may have questions about where you should be counted if you are a:
- Student living in on-campus housing (including how to respond if you were temporary displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
- U.S. military member
- Patient in a health care facility
- Traveler or visitor on Census Day (April 1, 2020)
- Foreign citizen living in the U.S.
- Person without a fixed address
If you are unsure how to respond to the census, find out where you should count yourself before you answer.
Do I have to respond to the census?
By law, everyone is required to be counted in the census. If you don’t respond, the U.S. Census Bureau will follow up with you in person by visiting your home. Learn about safety precautions and timing of in-person visits during the coronavirus pandemic.
If you’re concerned about your personal information, find out how the U.S. Census Bureau keeps your data confidential and secure.
Is the census survey I got real or a scam?
Scammers may try to use the census to steal your money or personal information. Scams often use phishing and can reach you by email, mail, or an in-person visit to your home.
Learn how to avoid scams that claim to be from the U.S. Census Bureau. You can also contact the U.S. Census Bureau to confirm the validity of requests for information.
U.S. Census Data and Statistics
The United States Census Bureau provides data about the nation’s people and economy. Every 10 years, it conducts the Population and Housing Census, in which every resident in the United States is counted. The agency also gathers data through more than 100 other surveys of households and businesses every one to five years. You can explore the results of the surveys or find popular quick facts.
The 2020 Census is currently underway. Find out where and how to respond to the 2020 Census.
How is data from the census used?
Your responses can help determine how much funding your local community will receive for public services. Census population data is used to divide the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states. It can also be used to draw boundaries for state legislative and school districts.
Besides using census data for the benefit of public services, you can also use it for genealogical research. To protect the privacy of people who respond to the U.S. Census, all records are kept confidential for 72 years. Find out what genealogical information is available and where you can access it.
What statistics can I get from the census?
Get population and demographic information about the country, individual states, and more:
View the latest QuickFacts statistics and estimates for the most popular topics.
How can I see the results of the census?
Explore a variety of data:
Do I have to respond to the census?
By law, everyone is required to be counted in the census. If you don’t respond, the U.S. Census Bureau will follow up with you in person by visiting your home.
Find Data and Statistics from the Government
Many government agencies have statistical information on a wide range of topics. You may need to do further research to find out which agency has the information you are looking for or can help you find it.
Remember, keywords are important when doing a search. Make sure your keywords can help narrow down the search results. For example, instead of trying a search for "education statistics," try something more specific like "campus security statistics" or "graduation rates."
Federal Government Data and Statistics
These federal agency programs collect, analyze, and disseminate statistical data and information:
- Bureau of Economic Analysis collects information on economic indicators, national and international trade, accounts, and industry.
- Bureau of Justice Statistics reports on justice systems, crime, criminal offenders, and victims of crime.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics measures labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the U.S. economy.
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics provides data on airline on-time performance, pirates at sea, transportation safety and availability, motorcycle trends, and more.
- Census Bureau is the main source of data about our nation's people and economy.
- DAP Public Dashboard provides a window into how people are interacting with the government online.
- Data.gov is the home of the U.S. Government's open data. Find federal, state, and local data, tools, and resources to conduct research, build apps, design data visualizations, and more.
- Economic Research Service informs public and private decision making on economic and policy issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural development.
- Energy Information Administration provides data on U.S. use of coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, renewable energy, and more.
- Internal Revenue Service Tax Statistics examine tax returns to report on such things as sources of income, exemptions, use of medical savings accounts, migration, and geographic data, tax information on foreign corporations controlled by U.S. parent corporations, exports, international boycotts, and investments and activities in the U.S. by foreign persons.
- National Agricultural Statistical Service researches data on food production and supply, organic sales, chemical use, demographics of U.S. producers, and more. Every five years it conducts the Census of Agriculture that provides agricultural data for every county in the United States.
- National Center for Education Statistics researches education in the United States. It publishes the Digest of Education Statistics, which includes international comparisons of students, and the annual report to Congress, The Condition of Education, which reports the progress of American education.
- National Center for Health Statistics is the principal health statistics agency for improving the health of the American people.
- National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics publishes data on the American science and engineering workforce and the progress of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the United States.
- Office of Personnel Management provides statistics on the Federal civilian workforce through data sources such as FedScope.
- Social Security Administration Office of Research Evaluation and Statistics offers data on social security program benefits, payments, covered workers, and more.
- USAspending.gov is the official source for spending data for the U.S. government. Learn about the size of the federal budget, and how the government spends that money on a national level and around the country.
You can also search a federal agency's website to see what types of statistical information it provides. Find the U.S. government department or agency you want to search.
State and Local Government Data and Statistics
State and local government agencies also compile and maintain statistical information. Contact a state or local government for more information:
The National Map offers mapping products from federal, state, and local partners on a variety of topics, such as recreation, environmental resources, scientific analysis, and emergency response.
Other maps cover:
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Last Updated:
May 26, 2020