Redistricting Data

About the Program

Public Law 94-171, enacted by Congress in December 1975, requires the Census Bureau to provide state legislatures with the small area census population tabulations necessary for legislative redistricting. The law also specifies:

• The states choosing to participate in this voluntary program will define the small areas for which specific data tabulations are desired and submit these areas following timelines established by the Census Bureau. These small areas include census block boundaries, voting districts, and state legislative districts.
• The Census Bureau must transmit the total population tabulations to the states by April 1, 2011.

The 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program will provide states the opportunity to delineate voting and state legislative districts and to suggest census block boundaries for use in the 2010 Census redistricting data tabulations (Public Law 94-171 Redistricting Data File).

The program also will ensure continued dialogue with the states in regard to 2010 Census planning, thereby allowing states ample time for planning, response, and participation.

To read more about the 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program, view the other pages of our website and check out our latest publication:

Designing P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data for the Year 2010 Census - The View From the States [PDF]

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