50 Ways Census Data Are Used 50 Ways Census Data Are Used

 

  1. Decision making at all levels of government.
  2. Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts.
  3. Attracting new businesses to state and local areas.
  4. Distributing over $300 billion in federal funds and even more in state funds.
  5. Forecasting future transportation needs for all segments of the population.
  6. Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services.
  7. Forecasting future housing needs for all segments of the population.
  8. Directing funds for services for people in poverty.
  9. Designing public safety strategies.
  10. Development of rural areas.
  11. Analyzing local trends.
  12. Estimating the number of people displaced by natural disasters.
  13. Developing assistance programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  14. Creating maps to speed emergency services to households in need of assistance.
  15. Delivering goods and services to local markets.
  16. Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, or children.
  17. Planning future government services.
  18. Planning investments and evaluating financial risk.
  19. Publishing economic and statistical reports about the United States and its people.
  20. Facilitating scientific research.
  21. Developing “intelligent” maps for government and business.
  22. Providing proof of age, relationship, or residence certificates provided by the Census Bureau.
  23. Distributing medical research.
  24. Reapportioning seats in the House of Representatives.
  25. Planning and researching for media as backup for news stories.
  26. Providing evidence in litigation involving land use, voting rights, and equal opportunity.
  27. Drawing school district boundaries.
  28. Planning budgets for government at all levels.
  29. Spotting trends in the economic well-being of the nation.
  30. Planning for public transportation services.
  31. Planning health and educational services for people with disabilities.
  32. Establishing fair market rents and enforcing fair lending practices.
  33. Directing services to children and adults with limited English language proficiency.
  34. Planning urban land use.
  35. Planning outreach strategies.
  36. Understanding labor supply.
  37. Assessing the potential for spread of communicable diseases.
  38. Analyzing military potential.
  39. Making business decisions.
  40. Understanding consumer needs.
  41. Planning for congregations.
  42. Locating factory sites and distribution centers.
  43. Distributing catalogs and developing direct mail pieces.
  44. Setting a standard for creating both public and private sector surveys.
  45. Evaluating programs in different geographic areas.
  46. Providing genealogical research.
  47. Planning for school projects.
  48. Developing adult education programs.
  49. Researching historical subject areas.
  50. Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans.
An Introduction to the 2010 Census An Introduction to the 2010 Census

Counting Everyone Once — and Only Once — and In the Right Place
The foundation of our American democracy is dependent on fair and equitable representation in Congress. In order to achieve an accurate assessment of the number and location of the people living within the nation’s borders, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The census population totals determine which states gain or lose representation in Congress. It also determines the amount of state and federal funding communities receive over the course of the decade. 2010 Census data will directly affect how more than $3 trillion is allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next 10 years. In order for this funding allocation to be accomplished fairly and accurately, the goal of the decennial census is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. The facts gathered in the census also help shape decisions for the rest of the decade about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education, senior services and much more.

What is the Census? Portait of America What is the Census? Portait of America
Census Documents Census Documents
Folder # of Documents
En Español 12
Sample Questionnaires 6
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Showing 16 results.
Name Size
2010-Census-Residence-rules.pdf 62.2k
August-eNews.pdf 2,575.9k
Fact Sheet for Businesses.pdf 487.7k
Fact Sheet for Community BAsed and Social Service Organizations.pdf 459.7k
Fact Sheet for Educators.pdf 459.1k
Fact Sheet for Elected Officials.pdf 459.1k
Fact Sheet for Faith-Based Organizations.pdf 458.9k
Fact Sheet for the Media.pdf 456.6k
Fact Sheet on the Census 2010.pdf 456.8k
Feb-Census-e-news.pdf 3,257.7k
IMPORTANT-NOTICE-CENSUS2010.pdf 1,130.0k
Infogram-Census-FAQ April 2010.pdf 181.1k
Jobs Flyer.pdf 801.2k
March 2010 eNews.pdf 1,350.4k
Overview of the Census 2010.pdf 60.1k
Tucson Openings.pdf.pdf 283.5k
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Why fill out the census form? Why fill out the census form?

Every household in the country will receive a questionnaire in 2010. To ensure an accurate and fair count of all populations at all geographic levels in the nation, the Census Bureau needs you or someone in your household to respond to the census questionnaire.

  • It’s important. – Census data affect funding for your community, your community’s representation in Congress and your community leader’s planning decisions. More info. . .
  • It’s easy. – The census questionnaire takes only a few minutes to answer and return by mail.
  • It’s confidential. – Your responses are protected by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9). All Census Bureau employees have taken an oath to protect confidentiality and are subject to a jail term, a fine – or both – for disclosing any information that could identify a respondent or household. More info…
  • It’s required by law. – The information you provide is combined with responses provided by your neighbors and other households across the country, to provide summary statistical data that are used by various local, state and federal agencies.

It's important

  • Census affects funding in your community
    Census data directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. That's more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few minutes to fill out your census form will help ensure your community gets its fair share of federal and state funding.
  • Census affects your voice in Congress
    Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redistrict state legislatures. More information about the 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program. . .
  • Census affects your representation in state and local government
    Census data are used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government.
  • Census informs your community's decisions
    The census is like a snapshot that helps define who we are as a nation. Data about changes in your community are crucial to many planning decisions, such as where to provide services for the elderly, where to build new roads and schools, or where to locate job training centers.
2010 Census is Different 2010 Census is Different

The Census Bureau has changed the way it conducts the national count.

Goodbye Long Form

In the past, most households received a short-form questionnaire, while one household in six received a long form that contained additional questions and provided more detailed socioeconomic information about the population.

The 2010 Census will be a short-form only census and will count all residents living in the United States as well as ask for name, sex, age, date of birth, race, ethnicity, relationship and housing tenure – taking just minutes to complete.

The more detailed socioeconomic information is now collected through the American Community Survey. The survey provides current data about your community every year, rather than once every 10 years. It is sent to a small percentage of the population on a rotating basis throughout the decade. No household will receive the survey more often than once every five years.