Program Overview
Attention: The Special Census Program is currently on hiatus as we focus our efforts on the 2010 Census. The program is expected to resume operations approximately one year after the 2010 Census.
About Special Censuses
A Special Census is a basic enumeration of population, housing units,
and group quarters conducted by the Census Bureau at the request of a
governmental unit. They are conducted on a cost-reimbursable basis. The
Census Bureau's authority to conduct Special Censuses is specified in
Title 13, United States Code, Section 196.
For Special Census purposes, a governmental unit is defined as the government
of any state, county, city, or other political subdivision within a state,
for the government of the District of Columbia—or for the government
of any possession or area—including political subdivisions, American
Indian Reservations, or Alaskan Native villages.
A Special Census may be conducted for the government of any state, county,
city, or other political subdivision within a state, for the government
of the District of Columbia, or for the government of any possession
or area—including political subdivisions, American Indian Reservations,
and Alaskan Native villages—on subjects covered by the censuses
provided for in Title 13, United States Code.
How We Collect Data
Data collection for a Special Census is conducted using an update/enumerate
methodology. During update/enumerate, enumerators canvass their assignment
areas using census maps and address registers that contain addresses
and location information for housing units. The enumerators update the
address lists and census maps by adding housing units not already listed,
making corrections to address information, entering map spots on maps
for added units in rural areas, updating maps with feature changes, and
deleting listings that do not exist. The Special Census Enumerator Questionnaire
is similar to the Census 2000 short form.
During Special Census operations
the Census Bureau will also enumerate special places/group quarters.
Special places are places that are different
from the usual house, apartment, or mobile home where people usually
live. Some examples of special places include colleges, hospitals,
correctional facilities, nursing homes, and military installations.
People
living at special places generally live in group situations called
group quarters. Special places always contain at least one group
quarters
and some may contain regular housing units as well. For special place
enumeration, we complete a Special Places Enumerator Questionnaire
for each individual housed in a particular unit. The questionnaire
used is
also similar to the Census 2000 short form, except data is collected
for only one person.
Why Conduct a Special Census
Local officials frequently request a Special Census when there has been
a significant population change in their community due to annexation
or growth. In some states, an increase in population that is certified
by the Census Bureau as a result of a Special Census may result in an
increase in state revenue sharing or other benefits.
The Decennial Census and Special Censuses
The Special Census program is typically on hiatus during decennial census
years. This hiatus is used to update our materials and systems in preparation
for the decennial census. The Census Bureau has been authorized to conduct
Special Censuses since 1903; the nation's first Special Census was conducted
April 15, 1915.
Although the method in which Special Censuses are conducted has changed,
it's basic objective remains the same - to obtain updated population
and housing counts.
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