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Census - Decennial

Statistical and demographic information from U.S. Decennial Censuses, with a focus on Connecticut. This does not include information on individuals found in the U.S. Census Schedules

Why the Census?

Why the Census and American Community Survey (ACS)?

  • Required by the U.S. Constitution
    • (Article I, Section 2)
    • Every 10 years a complete count of everyone (citizen and non-citizen) residing in states and territories.
  • Apportionment
    • Determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives.
    • Determine state legislative districts
  • Federal funding
    • Federal funds are distributed to state, tribal, and local governments
    • Transportation funding and planning
    • Housing assistance funding and planning
    • Emergency response planning and funding
    • These are only some examples
  • State and local planning
    • The data from Census and ACS impacts decisions on state and local level
    • Analyzing local trends
  • Economic planning
    • Both public and private institutions use census data when planning development
    • Analyzing local trends
  • Geographic Information
    • Maps for emergency response

Below are resources that explain the importance of the U.S. Decennial Census and the American Community Survey