Census Data
[ 1980 & 1990 Census ] [ 2000 Census ] [ Beyond 2000 ]
The decennial census occurs every 10 years, in the years ending
in "0," to count the population and housing units for the
entire United States. Its primary purpose is to provide the
population counts that determine how seats in the U.S. House of
Representatives are apportioned. Census figures also are required to
draw congressional and state legislative district boundaries, to
allocate federal and state funds, to formulate public policy, and to
assist with planning and decision-making in the private sector.
The decennial census uses both short- and long-form
questionnaires to gather information. The short form asks a limited
number of basic questions. These questions are asked of all people
and housing units, and are often referred to as 100-percent
questions because they are asked of the entire population. The long
form asks more detailed information from approximately a 1-in-6
sample, and includes the 100-percent questions as well as questions
on education, employment, income, ancestry, homeowner costs, units
in a structure, number of rooms, plumbing facilities, etc.
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