What is the Census?
The first census was conducted in 1790 and continues to this date. Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau collects population totals for all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the islands. People of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non citizens are urged to participate.
The next census will occur in 2010 and the population totals will determine the number of seats each state will hold in the House of Representatives and how legislative districts will be redrawn.
The U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) mandated this headcount to help decision makers understand the changes occurring in communities and guarantee proper distribution of approximately 300 billion dollars in federal funding.
YES!
Your responses are protected by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9). All U.S. 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.
It is illegal for the U.S. Census Bureau, or its employees, to share your personal information with anyone, including other government agencies such as law enforcement, IRS, Welfare, FBI or Immigration.
No court of law or even the President of the United States can access individual responses.
- Decision making at all levels of government.
- Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts.
- Attracting new businesses to state and local areas.
- Distributing over $300 billion in federal funds and even more in state funds.
- Forecasting future transportation needs for all segments of the population.
- Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services.
- Forecasting future housing needs for all segments of the population.
- Directing funds for services for people in poverty.
- Designing public safety strategies.
- Development of rural areas.
- Analyzing local trends.
- Estimating the number of people displaced by natural disasters.
- Developing assistance programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
- Creating maps to speed emergency services to households in need of assistance.
- Delivering goods and services to local markets.
- Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, or children.
- Planning future government services.
- Planning investments and evaluating financial risk.
- Publishing economic and statistical reports about the United States and its people.
- Facilitating scientific research.
- Developing “intelligent” maps for government and business.
- Providing proof of age, relationship, or residence certificates provided by the Census Bureau.
- Distributing medical research.
- Reapportioning seats in the House of Representatives.
- Planning and researching for media as backup for news stories.
- Providing evidence in litigation involving land use, voting rights, and equal opportunity.
- Drawing school district boundaries.
- Planning budgets for government at all levels.
- Spotting trends in the economic well-being of the nation.
- Planning for public transportation services.
- Planning health and educational services for people with disabilities.
- Establishing fair market rents and enforcing fair lending practices.
- Directing services to children and adults with limited English language proficiency.
- Planning urban land use.
- Planning outreach strategies.
- Understanding labor supply.
- Assessing the potential for spread of communicable diseases.
- Analyzing military potential.
- Making business decisions.
- Understanding consumer needs.
- Planning for congregations.
- Locating factory sites and distribution centers.
- Distributing catalogs and developing direct mail pieces.
- Setting a standard for creating both public and private sector surveys.
- Evaluating programs in different geographic areas.
- Providing genealogical research.
- Planning for school projects.
- Developing adult education programs.
- Researching historical subject areas.
- Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans.
1790
The first census was taken by U.S. marshals on horseback and counted 3.9 million people. Census 2000 counted more than 281 million people.
1953
During the Truman administration, the White House had to undergo renovation. It was necessary to relocate the President until the renovation was comleted. The Secret Service requested from the Census Bureau information on residents living in the proposed relocation area for the purpose of performing background checks. However, because census data are ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENTIAL, even to the President, the request was denied. President Truman spent his exile at Blair House. (http://2010.census.gov/partners/pdf/cccGuide.pdf )
1980
Armed with a search warrant authorizing them to seize census documents, four FBI agents entered the Census Bureau’s Colorado Springs office. No confidential information was ever released because a census worker held off the agents until her superiors resolved the issue with the FBI. (http://2010.census.gov/partners/pdf/cccGuide.pdf )
