The primary reason for the Census is reapportionment, the process of dividing seats in Congress among the 50 states. However, Census data can be used by government and businesses for a variety of reasons. Below is a list of how Census Data is used that is organized by topic (Business, Community Development, Economics, Funding, Government, Planning, Public Safety, Research and Other. This list is based on Appendix A: 50 Ways Census Data are Used from the Census 2020 Complete Count Committee Guide.
Business
- Developing “intelligent” maps for government and business.
- Delivering goods and services to local markets.
- Distributing catalogs and developing direct mail pieces.
- Locating factory sites and distribution centers.
- Making business decisions.
- Understanding consumer needs.
- Understanding labor supply.
Community Development
- Analyzing local trends.
- Attracting new businesses to state and local areas.
- Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans.
- Development of rural areas.
Economics
- Establishing fair market rents and enforcing fair lending practices.
- Publishing economic and statistical reports about the United States and its people.
- Spotting trends in the economic well-being of the nation.
- Developing adult education programs.
Funding
- Directing funds for services for people in poverty.
- Directing services to children and adults with limited English proficiency.
- Distributing over $675 billion annually in federal funds and even more in state funds.
- Developing assistance programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Government
- Reapportioning seats in the House of Representatives.
- Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts.
- Decision making at all levels of government.
- Developing “intelligent” maps for government and business.
- Drawing school district boundaries.
- Planning budgets for government at all levels.
- Planning future government services.
Planning
- Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, or children.
- Forecasting future housing needs for all segments of the population.
- Forecasting future transportation needs for all segments of the population.
- Planning for faith-based organizations.
- Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services.
- Planning for public transportation services.
- Planning for school projects.
- Planning health and educational services for people with disabilities.
- Planning investments and evaluating financial risk.
- Planning outreach strategies.
- Planning urban land use.
Public Safety
- Assessing the potential for spread of communicable diseases.
- Creating maps to speed emergency services to households in need of assistance.
- Designing public safety strategies.
- Estimating the number of people displaced by natural disasters.
Research
- Distributing medical research.
- Facilitating scientific research.
- Planning and researching for media as background for news stories.
- Providing genealogical research.
- Researching historical subject areas.
Other
- Evaluating programs in different geographic areas.
- Providing proof of age, relationship, or residence certificates provided by the Census Bureau.
- Setting a standard for creating both public and private sector surveys.
