About the Bureau

Evolving to Meet 21st Century Data Needs

January 11, 2021

At the Census Bureau, trail-blazing is part of our DNA. We strive to innovate and advance the science behind the nation’s statistical infrastructure.

Today, the nation demands data about our people, places and economy that is more timely, accurate, and granular than ever before. New technology and data science make that possible in ways barely conceivable just a generation ago.

Big Data. Limitless cloud storage. Artificial intelligence. Faster processing. Growing broadband access. We are working to safely and securely leverage these and other modern-day tools to produce the data the nation needs.

But along with these advances come new threats, both to the security of our data and to the identity of our respondents. The Census Bureau has a legal and moral commitment to protect the data we collect and publish. We are trail-blazing in these areas, too.

Throughout, we are guided by evidence on what works and what changes are needed. This allows us to operate more efficiently, respect our respondents, and to prepare our work force for future opportunities and challenges.

Here are a few of the innovations that are transforming the Census Bureau: 

New Data Sources and Products

Maximizing Operational Efficiency

Building a Better Customer Experience

Safe and Secure for the Digital Age

“As we advance into the 21st Century, we are experiencing increased demand for our data, struggling with challenges to traditional data collection methods, and exploring rich new data sources and tools that can revolutionize what we do and how we do it. Our success critically depends on our ability to seize the opportunities in front of us to deliver statistical products that address the increasingly complex and diverse needs of our users.”

— Ron Jarmin, Deputy Director of the U.S. Census Bureau

Latest Updates

Visualization | January 07, 2021

Centuries of Transformation

The Census Bureau has always been transforming and innovating how we do business.

Random Samplings Blog | July 24, 2020 | Written by: Ron Jarmin, Deputy Director

Modernizing How We Get You the Data: Data.census.gov

The U.S. Census Bureau is exploring rich new data sources and tools that will revolutionize how we produce timely and granular data on our nation's people, places, and economy.

New Data Sources and Products

Creating Experimental Data Products

Compiling near-real-time data on COVID-19’s impact via text and email is just one example of innovative methods we’re experimenting with.

Linking Census Data with Existing Data for Powerful Results

By reusing data that already exists elsewhere, and linking it to census and survey data, we can produce a fuller portrait of the nation’s people and economy.

Preventing Unnecessary Census Visits

Learn how the 2020 Census used existing data to identify vacant or nonexisting housing, saving approximately 19 million costly follow-up visits.

Building Evidence on What Works

We produce the federal statistics that help government measure how well it’s doing. It’s at the core of our mission.

Opening New Doors with Big Data

“Big Data” is being combined with other data sets to reveal patterns not previously discoverable. It’s also helping fill in gaps or replace survey questions.

The Opportunity Project: Sparking Private Sector Data Solutions

We help teams use federal open data to build solutions to our nation’s toughest challenges.

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Maximizing Operational Efficiency

2020 Census: Verifying Addresses with Aerial Imagery

By comparing older and newer aerial images we cut the number of addresses we had to verify on the ground by two-thirds – about 95 million addresses.

Harnessing the Power of Administrative Data

“OnTheMap” combines state jobs data with census data. See how it helped states recover after Hurricane Sandy.

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Building a Better Customer Experience

Improving Your Survey Experience

Our surveys depend on your willingness to participate. See how the nation’s largest household survey is working to make your experience as easy as possible.