What the Census
Bureau Does the Other Nine Years
Many Americans
think the Census Bureau only works every 10 years, when we count
everyone in the Census of Population and Housing. When you read
newspapers or magazines, watch TV, or listen to the radio, there's
a good chance that you will see or hear about the work that
the Census Bureau does consistently throughout the decade.
The Census
Bureau utilizes staff in 12 regional
offices to manage operations related to current or demographic
surveys. We use surveys because it costs too much and takes
too long to ask every American every question on every subject.
A survey uses only a sample of an entire population. Each sample
is scientifically selected so one household represents many
other households. Surveys help us get an authentic cross-section
of households, individuals, or special groups.
The Census
Bureau has a network of professional field representatives who
gather data for the Census Bureau by personal visit or telephone,
as well as for other government agencies and institutions. To
gather survey data, the Atlanta Regional Office employs field
representatives in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National
Center for Health Statistics, and the Department
of Housing and Urban Development are just a few of our customers.