FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
                   THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2000

Decennial Media Relations                                 CB00-CN.52
301-457-3691/301-457-3620 (fax)
301-457-1037 (TDD)

Marshall Turner
301-457-4039

        U.S. Census Bureau Releases Guide to Census 2000
                       Redistricting Data
                                
   The Commerce Department's Census Bureau has released an 11-page guide,
Strength in Numbers Your Guide to Census 2000 Redistricting Data, to help
data users understand Census Bureau maps and demographic data used in
congressional and state legislative redistricting.

   The guide explains how census data are gathered and the role they play
in the redistricting process. It also describes the laws that govern
redistricting and discusses pertinent rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court.

   The guide includes examples of census maps and explains the Census 2000
Redistricting Data Program, which is responsible for each state receiving
the data it needs to redraw the boundaries of its congressional and state
legislative districts.

   This publication is available on our website at 
http://www.census.gov/clo/www/strenghth2.pdf.