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Census Overview
The Census Bureau conducts many important censuses and surveys. The most well-known is the official population census of the United States, called the Decennial Census. It is conducted every ten years, most recently in April 2000. During each Decennial census, the Census Bureau collects data from every household in the U.S. and its territories.
Besides the Decennial Census, the Census Bureau conducts nearly one hundred other surveys and censuses every year. By law, no one is permitted to reveal information from these censuses and surveys that could identify any person, household or business. Individual records from each Decennial census are made public 72 years after the census has been taken. In the meantime, the information collected for each census and survey is summarized by geographic area and then published in a variety of formats, including printed reports, CD-ROM, DVD, and on the Internet.
American FactFinder displays the results of a census or survey in the following table and map formats (not all formats are available for all programs).
: Show popular information for a single geographic area.
: Compare basic information across multiple geographic areas (for example, all counties in a state).
: Show highly specific information at the greatest level of detail. These tables are the sources for all other tables and for thematic maps.
: Compare basic information across multiple geographic areas in the form of color-coded maps. : Compare basic information across multiple geographic areas in the form of color-coded maps.You can view information on many different topics for many types of geographic areas including: the United States, counties, cities and towns, congressional districts, American Indian Reservations, census tracts and blocks, and much more.
The Decennial Census collects data every 10 years about households, income, education, homeownership, and more for the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. The data is used for apportionment of the seats in the House of Representatives. more | get data
The American Community Survey is a new approach for collecting accurate, timely information needed for critical government functions. When the ACS program is fully operational, it will collect information from three million households every year. more | get data
The Economic Census profiles the U.S. economy every 5 years, from the national to the local level. In 2002, Economic Census forms were mailed to more than five million businesses. more | get data
The Population Estimates Program publishes estimated population totals for the previous year for cities and towns, metropolitan areas, counties, and states. For selected geographies, estimates are available by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. more | get data
The Population Projections Program projects the future resident population for the nation and for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data are available by age, sex, and race/ethnicity through the year 2100. more
The Census of Governments works to provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about governments and governmental activities. It covers government organization, finance, and employment. more
Information about demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics of the United States population, as well as business, industry and trade data, can be found in several other surveys.
