The Decennial Census is a constitutionally mandated count of the entire U.S. population conducted every ten years by the U.S. Census Bureau. It aims to count every person living in the United States, regardless of age, citizenship, or legal status, as of April 1 in the census year. Unlike the American Community Survey, which provides detailed social and economic data, the Decennial Census collects only basic demographic information, including age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and household relationships.
Data from the Decennial Census are used primarily for congressional apportionment and redistricting, ensuring fair representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition, census results guide the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding each year and provide a foundation for countless statistical and planning efforts at all levels of government.
The most recent Decennial Census was conducted in 2020. Data releases from the 2020 Census include counts for states, counties, cities, census tracts, and blocks, with detailed redistricting and demographic profiles published in phases through 2023.
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