Free Census Information
The Census Bureau counts the population and gathers information about households and population groupings throughout the United States every 10 years. The data from the 2000 census is available online.
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History
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The Constitution provides that a census will be taken every 10 years in order to calculate how many members of the House of Representatives will be allowed to each state. Beginning in 1790, the population has been counted every 10 years in the year ending with a zero. The Census Office was established in 1840 and renamed The Census Bureau under the new Department of the Interior in 1903.
Function
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The Census Bureau collects statistics during non-census years. Federal and local governments use information from its demographic surveys to create policies on employment, health, housing, crime and consumer spending. Businesses and various branches of government also use Census Bureau economic survey results that provide statistics on manufacturing, retail and service industries.
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Effects
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The allocation of more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding to communities to make improvements in neighborhoods is directly based on Census data. The most often-used numbers include the statistics on counties, cities and towns, congressional districts and American Indian reservations.
Benefits
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All the Census Bureau statistics are available online and in libraries for free. Individuals often use historic census material to help in genealogical research to construct family histories. Businesses can use census data to decide what products will be in demand and how to expand or consolidate based on the composition of the consumer population. Community planners use demographic data to consider the need for hospitals, day care centers and nursing homes.
Guaranteed Confidentiality
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Census takers sign an affidavit to protect the privacy of the persons who reply to surveys. The Census Bureau is legally prohibited from disclosing any personal information, such as names, addresses or responses to anyone, including government agencies such as the IRS or FBI.
Warning
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When the Census Bureau counts the population every 10 years, some criminals use the opportunity to try to get personal information by impersonating census takers. It is illegal to refuse to give basic information to census takers who knock on doors or contact residents by mail to ask general questions, such as how many people live at the address, their ages, gender and ethnic group. However, personal questions that could be used for identity theft are a red flag that might indicate a criminal impersonating a census taker. No real census takers will ever ask for identifying information such as Social Security numbers or dates of birth.
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References
- Photo Credit U.S. Census Bureau headquarters in Suitland, Maryland, main entrance. Photo credit: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office
