U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government


end of header

History

You are here: Census.govHistoryFAQsAgency History FAQs › When did the U.S. Census Bureau become a permanent agency?
Skip top of page navigation

Agency History FAQs

When did the U.S. Census Bureau become a permanent agency?

The Census Bureau became a permanent agency within the Department of Commerce and Labor following passage of An Act to Provide for a Permanent Census Office in 1902. In 1913, in became part of the Department of Commerce upon its separate establishment.

National Archives
President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation establishing the permanent Census Bureau in 1902. Roosevelt (left)
was the first U.S. president to fly in an airplane. This photograph was taken on October 11, 1910, before taking off
from Aviation Field in St. Louis, MO, with pilot Arch Hoxsey.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service

[an error occurred while processing this directive] This symbol Off Site indicates a link to a non-government web site. Our linking to these sites does not constitute an endorsement of any products, services or the information found on them. Once you link to another site you are subject to the policies of the new site.
Is this page helpful?
Thumbs Up Image Yes Thumbs Down Image No
NO THANKS
255 characters maximum 255 characters maximum reached
Thank you for your feedback.
Comments or suggestions?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau | Census History Staff | Last Revised: December 14, 2023