Census

Our definition of Census: 

Although a sample is a subset of a group, a census is defined as an accounting of the complete population.

The United States Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy and has indentified and recognizes four separate census regions (West, Midwest, South, and Northeast) and 9 census divisions (Pacific, Mountain, West North Central, East North Central, West South Central, East South Central, South Atlantic, Middle Atlantic, and New England).

These separate regions are groupings of states and subdivide the United States for the presentation and segmentation of census data.

2010 is the most recent year for the United States Census Bureau’s count of the country's population, one person at a time. The census is a critical activity that has to occur every 10 years as outlined in our Constitution. There are several reasons why the census is important to our everyday lives. In relation to government, an accurate count of a state's citizens determines how many representatives it will have in the U.S. House. This ensures that each state has equal representation. The census also determines federal funding for a variety of different services to the general public such as: emergency services, schools, senior citizen centers, hospitals, road maintenance, and job training centers to name a few.

The Census Bureau handles this process with thorough preparation by recruiting census takers early, updating addresses months in advance of sending out the forms and mailing these to citizens early enough so they have ample time to fill out the questionnaire and return it. If a particular household doesn't return a form a census taker is sent to the home to ask the questions in person. This way, the Census Bureau can make sure that all citizens are counted. The Bureau also counts individuals within United States boundaries who have not yet achieved citizenship.

Once the data has been collected and a full count is completed Census Bureau informs the president by December and then on March sends redistricting data to each respective state. This process as a whole has the goal of compiling an accurate count of our population for public, governmental, and fiscal needs. The United States Census Bureau makes sure that it goes efficiently and is handled in a professional manner so that everyone benefits.