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What We Do

Our Mission

The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.

Our Authority

The Census Bureau operates under Title 13 and Title 26 of the U.S. Code.

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide the best mix of timeliness, relevancy, quality and cost for the data we collect and services we provide.

At a Glance

What Data We Collect & When

How Our Data Are Used

To determine the distribution of Congressional seats to states

  • Mandated by the U.S. Constitution
  • Used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives
  • Used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government

Find out about the 2020 Census Redistricting Data Program

To make planning decisions about community services

Such as where to:

  • Provide services for the elderly
  • Build new roads and schools
  • Locate job training centers

To inform how trillions of dollars in federal funds are distributed to local, state and tribal governments each year

Census data informs how states and communities allocate funding for:

  • Neighborhood improvements
  • Public health
  • Education
  • Transportation
  • Much more

To learn more, read the report Uses of Decennial Census Programs Data in Federal Funds Distribution: Fiscal Year 2021.

To provide Age Search information

The Age Search service provides information for:

  • Qualifying for Social Security and other retirement benefits
  • Passport applications
  • Proving relationship in settling estates
  • Researching family history or a historical topic

Other Activities

Page Last Revised - March 25, 2024
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