The Census Bureau is the federal government’s largest statistical agency. We are dedicated to providing current facts and figures about America’s people, places, and economy. Federal law protects the confidentiality of all the information the Census Bureau collects.
The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.
We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work openly.
We are guided on this mission by scientific objectivity, our strong and capable workforce, our devotion to research-based innovation, and our abiding commitment to our customers.
Thomas Jefferson directed the first census in 1790. As required by the U.S. Constitution, a census has been taken every 10 years thereafter. In 1840, the Census Act authorized the establishment of a centralized Census Office. In 1902, the Census Office became a permanent organization within the Department of Interior. A year later, it was renamed the Bureau of the Census and moved to the new Department of Commerce and Labor.
In addition, explore the population clock, economic indicators, topical data visualizations, and infographics.
Go to census.gov/developers for access to datasets via application programming interfaces (API). Developers should check out the Discovery Tool, sign up for e-mail newsletters and information exchanges, and make requests for features and data via the Developer Forum.
The Census Bureau engages in a range of scientific and statistical activities. We actively research survey and questionnaire design as well as different modes of data collection, processing, and dissemination.
The Census Bureau maintains a nationwide geographic database that includes boundary information for legal, statistical, and administrative areas. We also track physical features such as streets and rivers for geographic area delineation.
The Census Bureau maintains a national address file to support censuses and surveys.
The Census Bureau produces international demographic data, estimates, projections, and reports. The Census Bureau also provides technical advisory services for foreign governments.
We have regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia. More information is available at <www.census.gov/about/regions.html>.
There are many reasons you may want to contact the Census Bureau. Please see our list of contacts to help decide which is best for you.
Customer Contact Center: 800-923-8282 or 301-763-INFO (4636). FAQs/customer help: <https://ask.census.gov>.
TDD: TTY users can dial 800-877-8339 to use the Federal Relay Service.
News Media: 877-861-2010 or 301-763-3030 or <pio@census.gov>. Subscribe now to receive Census Bureau releases and information on census.gov.
Request a free data workshop, training, or presentation:
E-mail: <census.askdata@census.gov>.
Phone: 844-ASK-DATA (844-275-3282).
Mailing Address:
Via U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road
Washington, DC 20233
Via private carriers (FedEx, DHL, UPS, couriers and suppliers):
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, MD 20746
Report inaccurate, suspicious, and fraudulent information at <rumors@census.gov>.
Social Media: Connect with the U.S. Census Bureau using social media.