Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we take the census?

• The U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) mandates a headcount every 10 years, of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens. The first census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then.
• The population totals from the 2010 census will determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. Florida will also use the totals to redraw their legislative districts if necessary.
• The U.S. Census Bureau must submit state population totals to the President of the United State by December 31, 2010.
• The totals will affect funding in our community, and data collected in the census helps inform decision makers how our community is changing. Approximately $300 billion in federal funding is distributed to communities each year.

How is the census data used?

Census data is widely and wisely used. Determining congressional seats and federal funding is just a sample of the many important uses of the census data. Below are just a few examples. Visit the Census Data Uses page for more examples.

• The Federal Government uses population data to allocate funds in a number of areas:
  • Title 1 grants to educational agencies (school districts across the nation)
  • Head Start Programs
  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (food grants)
  • Public Transportation
  • Road rehabilitation and construction
  • Programs for the elderly
  • Emergency food and shelter
  • Empowerment zones
• The data helps the private sector as well as state and federal governments determine where jobs and job programs need to be.
• Census data helps potential homeowners research property values, median income, and other demographic information within a particular community.
• Corporations use the population data for market research to determine locations for commercial enterprises, such as food stores, pharmacies, and other essential services.

Is census data really confidential?

ABSOLUTELY! Your answers are protected by law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code, Section 9) and are strictly confidential. It is illegal for the Census Bureau, or its employees, to share your personal information with any other government agency - not law enforcement, IRS, Welfare, FBI, Immigration, etc. No court of law, not even the President of the United States, can access your individual responses.

Census workers must pass security and employment reference checks and are highly motivated to protect your answers. All Census Bureau employees are subject to a $250,000 find and/ore a 5-Year prison term for disclosing any information that could identify a respondent or household.