History

Technology

Internet

In March 2004 the Census Bureau marked the tenth anniversary of www.census.gov, which now serves 1.5 million pages to web surfers per day, with this special site banner:

In March 1994, the Census Bureau became one of the first government agencies to offer a World Wide Web portal. Although the Census Bureau had long been a pioneer in using computer technology, leasing both the first electrical tabulating machines for the 1890 census and the UNIVAC computer for the 1950 census, its activation of a web site marked the first time that there was "point-and-click" public access to its vast storehouse of statistics.

In 1998, the Census Bureau created the American FactFinder data retrieval system, which allows users to create tables and maps from a complex array of data sets. State and County QuickFacts, which summarizes population and business statistics for every state and county in the country became available in 2000.

In remarks commemorating the tenth anniversary, former Director Louis Kincannon credited the Internet for helping to improve the Census Bureau: "We have become more efficient, reduced paperwork, realized cost savings and become more responsive to our customers." For example, Kincannon said, "Ten years ago the 1990 census results took up more than 450,000 pieces of paper which, when stretched out, would have spanned 78 miles. Posting Census 2000 results directly on the Internet has enabled us to eliminate more than 75 percent of our paper products."

The Census Bureau has used the Internet to collect data, as well. Some larger companies are able to fill out and return questionnaires from the economic censuses and other surveys on the Web. Additionally, the 2000 population census allowed persons who had received short-form questionnaires to submit their responses electronically. Although the Census Bureau made no special effort to promote this type of response, over 66,000 persons did so.