United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is a vital government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing statistical data about the country's population and economy. Established initially to conduct a decennial census in 1790, it has since expanded its role to gather diverse data relevant to American society as outlined by the U.S. Constitution. Operating under federal law, the Bureau ensures confidentiality and privacy in its data collection practices, which include not only the decennial population count but also various surveys conducted annually, such as the American Community Survey.
The Census Bureau's headquarters is located in Suitland, Maryland, and it employs advanced methodologies to count every resident in the U.S., including those experiencing homelessness. The 2020 Census marked a significant technological shift, allowing for online participation which became crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts to include underrepresented groups, concerns were raised about an undercount of people of color. Looking ahead, the Bureau aims to enhance the accuracy of future censuses by adopting new strategies, including leveraging data from online sources. Overall, the Census Bureau plays a key role in shaping public policy and understanding demographic trends in the United States.
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United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is an official government source of statistical data regarding the population of America. The first census in the United States of America was taken in 1790 at the time of George Washington's presidency. The initial intention was for the United States Census Bureau to conduct a decennial population count. Over the years, this expanded to the collection of information deemed relevant by the US Constitution. The Census Bureau conducts its work according to the US Code, specifically Title 13 and Title 26. The mission of the bureau is to collect data about the people and the economy of the United States. This is done within the realm of confidentiality and privacy. The purpose is to gather the information and analyze the research findings through scientific objectivity, ensuring a high level of quality. Population censuses are carried out decennially, and further surveys are performed annually or periodically.
Brief History
When the United States Census Bureau first began conducting the census in 1790, it began as a decennial population count. As time moved forward, a growing need developed to collect further information about the population and the interrelated economic situations. Thus, throughout the nineteenth century and leading into the twentieth century, the census expanded to collecting data on hundreds of different topics. Initially set up as a temporary office, the administrative work required to process the information collected took decades. For this reason, Congress established a permanent office for the Census Bureau in the Department of the Interior. The office opened on 1 July 1902 with William Rush Merriam at the head. The following year, the Department of Commerce and Labor became the new home for the Census Office, remaining there until 1913 when the two departments separated. In 1940, the offices transferred into a permanent site. The headquarters of the US Census Bureau became Office Building 1, Southwest Washington DC, although it changed again two years later to a new venue in the Suitland Federal Center. Since then, the Census Bureau has operated from offices in Washington. By 2003, the bureau celebrated the construction of a new building. In August 2006, the new headquarters of the US Census Bureau opened. Although only half the construction had been completed, between this time and April 2007, employees moved over on a weekly basis to establish themselves in the new building. Considered a state-of-the-art work environment, the building and offices received the GSA Design Excellence Award, with a silver rating for leadership and environmental design.
The first census and its population count comprised facts detailing the head of household, the number of free White males aged sixteen and over, the number of White females, and the number of enslaved people in the household. Also considered were any men eligible for military service and any free persons required to pay taxes. This first census of 1790 reported 3.9 million inhabitants.
Overview
Census records from 1790 to 1940 are not held by the US Census Bureau. Instead, they are housed by the National Archives and Records Administration. These records may be accessed via an online subscription to the National Archives website. Alternatively, residents may request access from their local public library, with no charge accrued for library patrons. The census records of 1950 to 2010 are available to the individual whose name appears in the record on completion of a BC-600 or BC600sp (Spanish) form. An heir may submit a form to ascertain census information. Confidentiality protection is observed for a time span of seventy-two years with regard to decennial census records.
The collection of information in the twenty-first century comprises a range of data groups pertaining to population and housing, economy, government, community, and other surveys. The decennial census of population and housing involved counting every United States resident. This aspect of the census occurs every ten years and is mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution. Every five years, an economic census is conducted to measure business status and economic growth. The economic census is an official US government ruling. There is also a census of governments that looks at state and local government sectors of the country. Public finance and employment falls under this category. Surveys and programs are carried out periodically to ascertain national statistics. These findings have relevance for programs and policies of the government, including decisions that are necessary as a result. The American Community Survey (ACS) focuses on a small section of the population. The survey happens once a year and is mandatory.
The 2020 census of the United States Census Bureau accrued information under the following headings: general population and housing characteristics, such as population, age, sex, race, households and housing; race and Hispanic or Latino origin; Hispanic or Latino by type, including Mexican or Puerto Rican; households and families related to relationships, children and household size. A comparative study of states showing differences in population, housing, area, and density forms part of the census, as does a comparison of these factors between cities and towns.
The census counts every person living in the United States, per each of the fifty states and the five US territories. Citizens and noncitizens are included in the count. People experiencing homelessness are also counted. The 2020 census was the twenty-fourth census taken since the original 1790 census. This marked the first year that people could complete the census online, which was particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of US households completed the census online. Questionnaires were also sent by mail to household addresses. A second one was sent if people did not respond, and if this elicited no response either, a census taker will visit the house up to six times to detail the information required, though in-person visits were delayed in 2020 due to the pandemic. People could also choose to respond to the census by phone.
The 2020 US Census aimed to include every household, including those that have been historically underrepresented. Hundreds of newspaper, television, radio, and online ads were created to reach as large an audience as possible and clarify the importance of completing the census. However, the 2020 census significantly undercounted people of color, especially Black and Latino populations. Individuals in these populations were severely undercounted in six states, and in eight states, the census overcounted. Because census information is used to inform policy decisions, these errors were highly criticized. Additionally, due to delays caused by COVID-19, the publishing of statistics following the completion of the census was greatly delayed. Leaders at the US Census Bureau vowed to make the 2030 census more accurate by implementing new policies such as gathering data from websites like Amazon and expanding access to government data using its data.census.gov platform (formerly American FactFinder).
Bibliography
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Roberts, Sam. "Gap between Manhattan's Rich and Poor Is Greatest in U.S., Census Finds." The New York Times, 17 Sept. 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/09/18/nyregion/gap-between-manhattans-rich-and-poor-is-greatest-in-us-census-finds.html. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
"2020 Census." United States Census Bureau, 3 Mar. 2022, www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
"U.S. Census Bureau." U.S. Department of Commerce, www.commerce.gov/bureaus-and-offices/census. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Wines, Michael. "For the New Census Bureau Director, the Challenge of the Decade." The New York Times, 7 Apr. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/04/07/us/robert-santos-census-bureau-director.html. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.