Why is Census data important?
Census data is used to make real life decisions that impact your community. Census data can help communities determine where to support new businesses, build new hospitals and schools, and improve infrastructure, just to name a few. It also helps the government decide how to distribute funds to states, as well as determines how many seats each state holds in Congress. Other ways Census data has an impact are:
- Highway construction
- Grants for public transportation
- Head start programs for schools
- School lunch programs
- Grants that support teachers and special education programs
- Restoring wildlife
- Programs to prevent child abuse
- Housing for older adults
- Healthcare services
- and much more!
The Census provides data not only from the decennial Census, which is the Census that happens every ten years, but also other community surveys. For example, the American Community Survey is an ongoing survey that provides yearly information about the United States.
Where to find Census data
Data that is collected by the Census Bureau is publicly available. It is important to note that the data available is not personally identifiable data.
-
Explore Census DataFind population, housing, economic, and geographic data. Starting in July, data.census.gov will be the primary way to access Census Bureau data, including upcoming releases from the 2018 American Community Survey, 2017 Economic Census, 2020 Census and more. After July 1, 2019, all new data (previously released on American FactFinder) will be released on this new data platform.
-
QuickFacts Census BureauAn easy and fast way to look at Census data. QuickFacts provides statistics for all states and counties, and for cities and towns with a population of 5,000 or more.
-
USAFactsUSAFacts is a new data-driven portrait of the American population, our government’s finances, and government’s impact on society. It relies exclusively on publicly available government data sources. USA Facts uses Census Bureau data as one of its data sources.
-
National Archives Census RecordsThe most recent identifiable Census data released is 1940. You can search records from 1850.