A census is an enumeration of the residents of a particular area usually done according to a periodic schedule. The term has usually come to mean the evaluation of the residents of an entire country although state-wide censuses may also be done in special cases when required.
In the United States the census is done every 10 years as written in the United States Constitution. The population of the country is evaluated and the results will have great bearing on many areas of government including voting statistics, government funding and congressional appointments. The government department responsible for performing the census in the United States is the United States Census Bureau.
The first official census done in the United States was in 1790 although a few censuses have been performed prior to its ratification in the United States Constitution. The most notable of these was the Virginia Census in the early 1600s in which most of the residents of all the then British Colonies were counted.
Since the first official U.S. Census, 21 federal censuses have been performed. The next one is due to be performed in 2010.
Over the years the countries requirements in terms of census information became more varied and complex. Policy makers saw the need for accurate information to aid in planning and funding concerns. Early on, amendments to previous census guidelines were made to include business and production concerns. Later on, provisions were made to include fisheries reports and still later religion, poverty levels, crime and taxes.
The censuses performed every decade typically include all actual residents of residential dwellings whether they are U.S. citizens or not. The final tally of people covered in the census may include legitimate U.S. citizens and legal residents and long-term visitors who may not hold permanent resident status as well as illegal immigrants.
In censuses performed in recent years, these figures have come to include government estimates on people who live in houses not included in the tally, homeless people and migratory citizens.
In fact in the years between government censuses, estimates are the primary means to determine the mean population of the country. These estimates are based on surveys and other statistical data.
Recently, the inclusion of non-U.S. citizens in official census results has come under criticism from certain sectors. The practice of assigning data to residential areas with unknown population figures has also come under fire. The reason for this is that these actions may skew the results of the census and provide less than accurate figures, which may have a significant impact on future appointments into the House of Representatives. The U.S. Supreme Court has since approved both these practices as legitimate from both legal and constitutional standpoints.
As the primary purpose of censuses is to gather statistical data, only information relevant to the census is required from the individual. Any information gathered from censuses is extremely confidential and strict laws have been passed that prohibit the divulging of any detail about any individual, business or organisation.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 20/06/2008
