The Consumer Expenditure (CE) Survey program consists of two surveys. About 7,500 households will be interviewed once every three months to obtain data on relatively large expenditures. Over the year, another 7,500 households will keep two consecutive one-week diaries of all purchases. The CE Interview Survey is designed to capture expenditure data that respondents can reasonably recall for a period of three months or longer, whereas the CE Diary Survey captures expenditures on small, frequently purchased items that are normally difficult for respondents to recall later. The results are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Government economists use the results to update a "market basket" of goods and services for the Consumer Price Index, the single most widely used measure of inflation in the country.

    “Findings from the Consumer Expenditure Survey program permit policy-makers to assess the impact of changes in governmental policies on the spending patterns of different socioeconomic groups,” said James Holmes, director of the Census Bureau’s Atlanta Regional Office. “These data also help business owners track consumer spending trends, so they can better respond to the needs of their customers.”

    Before the CE surveys begin, households receive a letter from Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon informing them of their selection. Census Bureau field representatives conducting the interviews will carry official photo identification badges. The law ensures survey respondents' personal information and answers are kept confidential.

    The following data on shelter expenditures, which include spending on items such as mortgage interest, property taxes, rent and vacation homes, are an example of CE results.