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.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Field Division, Office of Special Censuses
Created: January 30, 2002 Updated: