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U.S. Census Bureau at a Glance

The Census Bureau is the federal government’s largest statistical agency. We are dedicated to providing current facts and figures about America’s people, places, and economy. Federal law protects the confidentiality of all the information the Census Bureau collects.

Our Mission

The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.

We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work openly.

We are guided on this mission by scientific objectivity, our strong and capable workforce, our devotion to research-based innovation, and our abiding commitment to our customers.

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Thomas Jefferson directed the first census in 1790. As required by the U.S. Constitution, a census has been taken every 10 years thereafter. In 1840, the Census Act authorized the establishment of a centralized Census Office. In 1902, the Census Office became a permanent organization within the Department of Interior. A year later, it was renamed the Bureau of the Census and moved to the new Department of Commerce and Labor.

Our Statistical Programs

Censuses

  • The Decennial Census is the once-a-decade population and housing count required by the U.S. Constitution. The Census Bureau counts all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. The results of the decennial census determine the number of seats for each state in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts and to distribute hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds each year.
  • The Economic Census measures the nation’s economy every 5 years, providing vital statistics for virtually every industry and geographic area in the country.
  • The Census of Governments provides comprehensive data about the nearly 90,000 state and local governments in the nation every 5 years.

  • The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing annual survey that shows what the U.S. population looks like and how it lives. The ACS helps communities decide where to target services and resources.
  • Demographic surveys measure income, poverty, education, health insurance coverage, housing quality, crime victimization, computer usage, and many other subjects.
  • Economic surveys are conducted monthly, quarterly, and annually. They cover selected sectors of the nation’s economy and supplement the Economic Census with more frequent information about the dynamic economy. These surveys yield more than 400 annual economic reports, including principal economic indicators.
  • Sponsored surveys are demographic and economic surveys that we conduct for other government agencies. They include the Current Population Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, and the National Survey of College Graduates.
  • The Small Business Pulse Survey provides detailed information on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses as well as their participation in federal programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program.
  • The Household Pulse Survey asks questions about how the COVID- 19 pandemic affected education, employment, food security, health, housing, Social Security benefits, household spending, consumer spending associated with stimulus payments, intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and transportation.

Population Estimates and Projections

  • Every year, the Census Bureau publishes population estimates and demographic components of change, such as births, deaths, and migration. This data can be sorted by characteristics such as age, sex, and race, as well as by national, state, and county location.
  • The Census Bureau estimates population size and characteristics. Population projections are based on future demographic trends, including births, life expectancy, and migration patterns.

In addition, explore the population clock, economic indicators, topical data visualizations, and infographics.

Go to census.gov/developers for access to datasets via application programming interfaces (API). Developers should check out the Discovery Tool, sign up for e-mail newsletters and information exchanges, and make requests for features and data via the Developer Forum.

The Census Bureau engages in a range of scientific and statistical activities. We actively research survey and questionnaire design as well as different modes of data collection, processing, and dissemination.

National map with line of people

The Census Bureau maintains a nationwide geographic database that includes boundary information for legal, statistical, and administrative areas. We also track physical features such as streets and rivers for geographic area delineation.

The Census Bureau maintains a national address file to support censuses and surveys.

International Statistics

The Census Bureau produces international demographic data, estimates, projections, and reports. The Census Bureau also provides technical advisory services for foreign governments.

Regional Offices

We have regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia. More information is available at <www.census.gov/about/regions.html>.

Contact Us

There are many reasons you may want to contact the Census Bureau. Please see our list of contacts to help decide which is best for you.

Customer Contact Center: 800-923-8282 or 301-763-INFO (4636). FAQs/customer help: <https://ask.census.gov>.

TDD: TTY users can dial 800-877-8339 to use the Federal Relay Service.

News Media: 877-861-2010 or 301-763-3030 or <pio@census.gov>. Subscribe now to receive Census Bureau releases and information on census.gov.

Request a free data workshop, training, or presentation:
E-mail: <census.askdata@census.gov>.
Phone: 844-ASK-DATA (844-275-3282).

Mailing Address:
Via U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road
Washington, DC 20233

Via private carriers (FedEx, DHL, UPS, couriers and suppliers):
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, MD 20746

Report inaccurate, suspicious, and fraudulent information at <rumors@census.gov>.

Social Media: Connect with the U.S. Census Bureau using social media.

Follow Us @uscensusbureau

Page Last Revised - December 16, 2021
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