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How the U.S. census works

The once-a-decade population and housing count is designed to count every U.S. resident. Its results shape House representation, district maps, federal funding and local planning.

James Whitfield

By James Whitfield · Staff Writer

3 min read

The U.S. decennial census is a population and housing count conducted every 10 years by the Census Bureau. It is designed to count every resident, and the results help determine U.S. House seats, district boundaries, federal funding and local planning.

The Census Bureau says the count is required by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. Federal law protects the confidentiality of information the bureau collects.

What the decennial census counts

Also called the Decennial Census of Population and Housing, the census is an attempt to count the nation’s residents once each decade. The Census Bureau says its coverage includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.

The bureau operates under Titles 13 and 26 of the U.S. Code. Its role is to collect data about the nation’s people and economy.

How census results are used

The most direct use is apportionment: determining the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census data also provide a basis for drawing congressional and state legislative district boundaries, a process known as redistricting.

The Census Bureau says the data also inform the distribution of federal funds to communities and help governments plan services and infrastructure. Its examples include schools, roads, hospitals, housing, public health, education, transportation and services for older people.

What the decennial census is not

“Census” can refer to several Census Bureau programs. The decennial census is the once-a-decade count of residents; other programs measure different subjects on other schedules.

  • Decennial Census of Population and Housing: A once-a-decade count designed to include every U.S. resident.
  • American Community Survey: An ongoing annual survey that provides information about the population, housing and workforce and helps communities target services and resources.
  • Economic Census: The federal government’s official five-year measure of American businesses and the economy.
  • Census of Governments: A five-year collection of data on the state and local government sector, conducted in years ending in 2 and 7.

That difference matters when reading government statistics. A decennial census total is the population count used for representation and other public decisions, while the other programs supply information for their separate purposes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the decennial census and the American Community Survey?

The decennial census is a population and housing count conducted every 10 years and designed to count every U.S. resident. The American Community Survey is an ongoing annual survey that provides information about the population, housing and workforce and helps communities target services and resources.

How does census data affect congressional apportionment and redistricting?

Decennial census data determine the number of U.S. House seats each state has through apportionment. The data are also used to draw congressional and state legislative district boundaries through redistricting.

What other censuses does the Census Bureau conduct?

The Economic Census is the federal government’s official five-year measure of American businesses and the economy. The Census of Governments occurs every five years, in years ending in 2 and 7, and covers the state and local government sector.

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