United States Census Bureau
Agency overview | |
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Formed | July 1, 1902 |
Preceding agency |
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Headquarters | 4600 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland, U.S. (Washington, D.C. mailing address) |
Agency executive |
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Parent agency | U.S. Department of Commerce |
Website | census |
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the
The Census Bureau's primary mission is conducting the U.S. census every ten years, which allocates the seats of the U.S. House of Representatives to the states based on their population.[1] The bureau's various censuses and surveys help allocate over $675 billion in federal funds every year and it assists states, local communities, and businesses make informed decisions.[2][3][4] The information provided by the census informs decisions on where to build and maintain schools, hospitals, transportation infrastructure, and police and fire departments.[4]
In addition to the decennial census, the Census Bureau continually conducts over 130 surveys and programs a year,[5] including the American Community Survey, the U.S. Economic Census, and the Current Population Survey.[1] Furthermore, economic and foreign trade indicators released by the federal government typically contain data produced by the Census Bureau.
Legal mandate
In addition, census data directly affects how more than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and more.[7] The Census Bureau is mandated with fulfilling these obligations: the collecting of statistics about the nation, its people, and economy. The Census Bureau's legal authority is codified in Title 13 of the United States Code.
The Census Bureau also conducts surveys on behalf of various
Between 1790 and 1840, the census was taken by
An act in 1920 changed the date and authorized manufacturing censuses every two years and agriculture censuses every 10 years.[11] In 1929, a bill was passed mandating the House of Representatives be reapportioned based on the results of the 1930 census.[11] In 1954, various acts were codified into Title 13 of the U.S. Code.[12]
By law, the Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals to the U.S. president by December 31 of any year ending in a zero. States within the Union receive the results in the spring of the following year.
Data collection
Census regions and divisions
The United States Census Bureau defines four statistical regions, with nine divisions.[13] The Census Bureau regions are "widely used...for data collection and analysis".[14] The Census Bureau definition is pervasive.[15][16][17] The territories are not included, but the District of Columbia is.
Regional divisions used by the United States Census Bureau:[18][19]
- Region 1: Northeast
- Division 1: New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont)
- Division 2: )
- Region 2: Midwest (Prior to June 1984, the Midwest Region was designated as the North Central Region.)[18]
- Division 3: )
- Division 4: )
- Region 3: South
- Division 5: )
- Division 6: Mississippi, and Tennessee)
- Division 7: )
- Region 4: West
- Division 8: )
- Division 9: )
History
The current system was introduced for the 1910 census, but other ways of grouping states were used historically by the Census Bureau. The first of these was introduced after the 1850 census by statistician and later census superintendent J. D. B. De Bow. He published a compendium where the states and territories were grouped into five "great division", namely the Middle, New England, the Northwestern, the Southern, and the Southwestern great divisions. Unsatisfied with this system, De Bow devised another one four years later, with states and territories grouped into an Eastern, Interior, and Western "great section", each divided into a northern and southern half called "divisions".
In the following decades, several other systems were used, until the current one was introduced in 1910. This system has seen only minor changes: New Mexico and Arizona were both added to the Mountain division upon statehood in 1912, the North region was divided into a Northeast and a North Central region in 1940, Alaska and Hawaii were both added to the Pacific division upon statehood in 1959, and the North Central region was renamed the Midwest in 1984.[20]
Uses of census data
Many federal, state, local and tribal governments use census data to:[citation needed]
- Decide the location of new housing and public facilities,
- Examine the demographic characteristics of communities, states, and the US,
- Plan transportation systems and roadways,
- Determine quotas and creation of police and fire precincts, and
- Create localized areas for elections, schools, utilities, etc.
- Gathers population information every 10 years
Census data is not used to determine or define race genetically, biologically or anthropologically.[21] The census data is also used by the Bureau to obtain a real-time estimate in U.S. and World Population Clock.[22]
Data stewardship
The United States Census Bureau is committed to confidentiality and guarantees non-disclosure of any addresses or personal information related to individuals or establishments. Title 13 of the U.S. Code establishes penalties for the disclosure of this information. All census employees must sign an affidavit of non-disclosure prior to employment.
The bureau cannot share responses, addresses or personal information with anyone, including the United States or foreign governments, or law enforcement agencies such as the
Despite these guarantees of confidentiality, the Census Bureau has some history of disclosures to other government agencies. In 1918, the Census Bureau released individual information regarding several hundred young men to the Justice Department and
United States census data are valuable for the country's political parties; Democrats and Republicans are highly interested in knowing the accurate number of persons in their respective districts.[29] These insights are often linked to financial and economic strategies that are central to federal, state and city investments for locations of particular populations.[30] Such apportionments are designed to distribute political power across neutral spatial allocations; however, "because so much is at stake, the census also runs the risk of being politicized."[31]
Such political tensions highlight the complexity of identity and classification; some argue that unclear results from the population data "is due to distortions brought about by political pressures."[32] One frequently used example includes ambiguous ethnic counts, which often involves underenumeration and/or undercounting of minority populations.[32] Ideas about race, ethnicity and identity have also evolved in the United States, and such changes warrant examination of how these shifts have impacted the accuracy of census data over time.[33]
The United States Census Bureau began pursuing technological innovations to improve the precision of its census data collection in the 1980s. Robert W. Marx, the Chief of the Geography Division of the USCB teamed up with the
In July 2019, the Census Bureau stopped releasing new data via American FactFinder, which was decommissioned in March 2020 after 20 years of being the agency's primary tool for data dissemination.[36] The new platform is data.census.gov.[37]
Ongoing surveys
Throughout the decade between censuses, the bureau conducts surveys to produce a general view and comprehensive study of the United States' social and economic conditions. Staff from the Current Surveys Program conduct over 130 ongoing and special surveys about people and their characteristics.[38] A network of professional field representatives gathers information from a sample of households, responding to questions about employment, consumer expenditures, health, housing, and other topics.
Surveys conducted between decades:
- American Community Survey
- American Housing Survey
- Consumer Expenditure Survey
- Census of Governments
- Current Population Survey
- Economic Census
- National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey[39]
- National Health Interview Survey
- National Hospital Care Survey[40]
- National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
- National Crime Victimization Survey
- National Nursing Home Survey[41]
- Survey of Income and Program Participation
- Survey of Construction[42]
- Survey of Market Absorption[43]
- Survey of Program Dynamics[44]
- National Longitudinal Survey
- National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation[45]
- Residential Finance Survey[46]
- National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol Related Conditions
- Annual Retail Trade Survey[47]
- Annual Wholesale Trade Survey[48]
- Annual and Quarterly Services Surveys
Other surveys conducted
The Census Bureau also collects information on behalf of survey sponsors. These sponsors include the
Organizational structure
Since 1903, the official census-taking agency of the United States government has been the Bureau of the Census. The Census Bureau is headed by a director, assisted by a deputy director and an executive staff composed of the associate directors.
The Census Bureau headquarters has been in Suitland, Maryland, since 1942. A new headquarters complex completed there in 2007 supports over 4,000 employees.[49] > The bureau operates regional offices in 6 cities:[50] > New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles. The National Processing Center is in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Additional temporary processing facilities facilitate the decennial census, which employs more than a million people. The cost of the 2000 census was $4.5 billion. During the years just prior to the decennial census, parallel census offices, known as "Regional Census Centers" are opened in the field office cities. The decennial operations are carried out from these facilities. The Regional Census Centers oversee the openings and closings of smaller "Area Census Offices" within their collection jurisdictions. In 2020, Regional Census Centers oversaw the operation of 248 Area Census Offices,[51] The estimated cost of the 2010 census is $14.7 billion.
On January 1, 2013, the Census Bureau consolidated its twelve regional offices into six. Increasing costs of data collection, changes in survey management tools such as laptops and the increasing use of multi-modal surveys (i.e. internet, telephone, and in-person) led the Bureau to consolidate.[52] The six regional offices that closed were Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City and Seattle. The remaining regional offices are New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles.[53]
The Census Bureau also runs the Census Information Center cooperative program that involves 58 "national, regional, and local non-profit organizations". The CIC program aims to represent the interests of underserved communities.[54]
Computer equipment
The
Handheld computers
Historically, the census information was gathered by census takers going door-to-door collecting information in a ledger. Beginning in 1970 information was gathered via mailed forms. To reduce paper usage, reduce payroll expense and acquire the most comprehensive list of addresses ever compiled, 500,000 handheld computers (HHCs) (specifically designed, single-purpose devices) were used for the first time in 2009 during the address canvassing portion of the 2010 Decennial Census Project. Projected savings were estimated to be over $1 billion.[59][60][61]
Security precautions
The HHC was manufactured by
Success and failure
Enumerators (information gatherers) that had operational problems with the device understandably made negative reports. During the 2009 Senate confirmation hearings for Robert Groves, President Obama's Census Director appointee, there was much mention of problems but very little criticism of the units.[62] In rural areas, the sparsity of cell phone towers caused problems with data transmission to and from the HHC. Since the units were updated nightly with important changes and updates, operator implementation of proper procedure was imperative.
Research studies
Census Bureau stays current by conducting research studies to improve the work that they do. Census researchers explore topics about survey innovations, participation, and data accuracy, such as undercount,[64] overcount,[65] the use of technologies,[66] multilingual research,[67] and ways to reduce costs. In addition, the Bureau pretests surveys and digital products before they are fielded and then evaluates them after they have been conducted.[68]
Notable alumni
- John Shaw Billings
- Rattan Chand
- W. Edwards Deming
- Davis Rich Dewey
- Halbert L. Dunn
- Murray Feshbach
- Robert Groves
- Henry Gannett
- Morris H. Hansen
- Joseph Adna Hill
- Herman Hollerith
- Leslie Kish
- John Wesley Langley
- Bernard Malamud
- Thomas Commerford Martin
- Warren Mitofsky
- Ivan Petrof
- Cyrus Guernsey Pringle
- Richard M. Scammon
- Thelma Strabel
- Howard Sutherland
See also
- List of U.S. states and territories by population
- List of metropolitan statistical areas
- List of United States cities by population
- List of United States counties and county equivalents
- United States Office of Management and Budget
- list)
- list)
- Core-based statistical area (list)
- list)
- list)
- List of United States urban areas
- Title 13 of the United States Code
- Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Director of the United States Census Bureau
- Data.gov
- USAFacts
- Statistical Abstract of the United States
References
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- ^ "Why We Conduct the Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. October 28, 2019. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- ^ "US Census Bureau StEPS II Case Study". BNL Consulting. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ a b Farrell, Henry (May 15, 2017). "Analysis | The U.S. census is in trouble. This is why it's crucial to what the nation knows about itself". Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 17, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
- ^ "List of All Surveys & Programs". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ "Population Estimates". U.S. Bureau of the Census. May 31, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2006.
- ^ "2010 Census Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). U.S. Census. May 10, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 23, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "History: 1790". U.S. Census Bureau. November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009.
- ^ "History: 1840". US Census Bureau. November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009.
- ^ "History: 1900 Overview". US Census Bureau. Archived February 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b History 1920. Archived March 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. US Census Bureau.
- ^ History 1954. Archived July 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. US Census Bureau.
- ^ United States Census Bureau, Geography Division. "Census Regions and Divisions of the United States" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 7, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
- ^ "The National Energy Modeling System: An Overview 2003" (Report #:DOE/EIA-0581, October 2009). United States Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration.
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- ^ "2020 Census National Redistricting Data Summary File" (PDF). US Census Bureau. February 2021. pp. 88–89. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ Statistical Groupings of States and Counties Archived January 29, 2022, at the Wayback Machine (PDF)
- ^ Bureau, US Census. "Race". Census.gov. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ "Census Bureau Projects U.S. and World Populations on New Year's Day". U.S. Department of Commerce. January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Census Employee Handbook (PDF), April 2009, archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2012
- ^ a b "72-Year Rule". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ISSN 0044-7471, archived from the originalon July 1, 2012
- David Kopel (May 4, 1990), Census Confidentiality? The Check's in the Mail, Cato Institute, archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2020
- ^ JR Minkel (March 30, 2007), "Confirmed: The U.S. Census Bureau Gave Up Names of Japanese-Americans in WW II", Scientific American, archived from the original on August 29, 2013, retrieved March 20, 2010
- ^ Haya El Nasser (March 30, 2007), "Papers show Census role in WWII camps", USA Today, archived from the original on August 26, 2012, retrieved September 17, 2017
- ISBN 9780804740135.
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- ^ Ahmad, Farah; Hagler, Jamal (February 6, 2015). "Government collection of race and ethnicity data". Center for American Progress. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
- ^ "Memorials and Tributes: Robert W. Marx". American Association of Geographers Newsletter. Vol. 45, no. 3. p. 14. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
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- ^ "American FactFinder Is Retiring March 31" (Press release). U.S. Census Bureau. March 17, 2020. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "Accessing Census Data in 2019: The Transition to data.census.gov". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ "List of All Surveys". Census.gov. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ^ "NAMCS/NHAMCS – Ambulatory Health Care Data Homepage". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 20, 2018. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "NHDS – National Hospital Discharge Survey Homepage". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 10, 2018. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "NNHS – National Nursing Home Survey Homepage". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 12, 2018. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ Directorate, US Census Bureau Economic. "US Census Bureau Business and Industry Main Page". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Survey of Market Absorption of Apartments – Overview". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Survey of Program Dynamics". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ www.census.gov/programs-surveys/fhwar.html Archived September 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine (2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991)
- ^ "Residential Finance Survey (RFS)". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ here, US Census Bureau Creating office name. "US Census Bureau Site Name main page". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS)". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "New Headquarters". October 22, 2019. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ "Regional Offices". Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
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- ^ "A Restructuring of Census Bureau Regional Offices". U.S. Bureau of the Census. Archived from the original on June 11, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ "Census Bureau Regional Office Boundaries" (PDF). U.S. Bureau of the Census. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ "Census Information Centers". U.S. Bureau of the Census. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
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- ^ a b Wade-Hahn Chan (March 28, 2008). "Have feds cheapened contract bonuses?". FCW. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
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- ^ O'Hare, William. "Investigating the 2010 Undercount of Young Children – Summary of Recent Research". 2020 Census Final Analysis Reports. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Sha, Mandy. "Success of Applying Census Residence Rule to Resolve Duplication". Census Working Papers. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Nichols, Elizabeth. "Use of Mobile Phone Location Data in Official Statistics". Census Working Papers. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Sha, Mandy. "Multilingual Research for Interviewer Doorstep Messages Final Report". Census Working Papers. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Why does research matters at the Census Bureau?". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
External links
- United States Census Bureau
- Census Bureau in the Federal Register
- USCB population estimates
- USCB History
- U.S. and World Population Clocks – POPClocks
- Geographic Areas Reference Manual
- Works by United States Census Bureau at Project Gutenberg
- Works by or about United States Census Bureau at Internet Archive
- Works by United States Census Bureau at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)
- 72-year rule
- PDF of Availability of Census Records About Individuals
- PDF of Letter from Census Bureau Director, Roy V. Peel to Archivist of the United States, Wayne C. Grover, concerning the 72-year lapse between collection and release of decennial census records
- PDF of Letter from Archivist of the United States, Wayne C. Grover to Census Bureau Director Roy V. Peel, in reply to Peel's August 1952 letter