Being counted in the census gives a snapshot of your community that is important for the funding of education; building roads, hospitals, and libraries; providing housing and food to those in need; preparing for emergencies; creating jobs, and much more. Learn how easy completing the census is and why it matters using this guide.
After Ellis Island
The American Census
Tracing Your Ancestors Using the Census
Measures of Poverty: Selected Reports from the U.S. Census BureauShort video from the NBC Stay Tuned series with information on history, methodology and uses of the census
Image from U.S. Census Bureau
Q: What is the U.S. census?
A: Mandated by the Constitution, the census counts every resident once every 10 years in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories
Q: How long does it take to complete the census online?
A: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the online census form takes about 10 minutes to complete
Q: How is the information taken by the U.S. census used?
A: The census determines congressional representation and federal funding, affecting individual communities for the next decade