The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. Its mission is defined in the Constitution of the United States, which directs that the population be enumerated at least once every ten years (through the U.S. Census), and the number of Representatives in Congress determined accordingly. It also is in charge collecting statistics about the nation, its people, and economy.

The Census Bureau's establishment is codified in Title 13 of the United States Code.

Since 1903, the official census-taking organ of the United States government has been the Bureau of the Census. The Bureau is headed by a Director, assisted by a Deputy Director and an Executive Staff composed of the associate directors. The Bureau has 12 regional offices with additional processing centers set up temporarily for the decennial censuses.

The sole purpose of the censuses and surveys is to secure general statistical information. Replies are obtained from individuals and establishments only to enable the compilation of such general statistics. The confidentiality of these replies is very important. By law, no one — neither the census takers nor any other Census Bureau employee — is permitted to reveal identifiable information about any person, household, or business. However, for extremely small villages this is done anyway, see below.

The bureau recognizes four regions within the United States, and further organizes them into nine divisions, as follows:

• Northeast Region, with two divisions: New England and the Middle Atlantic States
• Midwest Region, with two divisions: The East North Central States and the West North Central States
• Southern Region, with three divisions: The South Atlantic States, the East South Central States, and the West South Central States
• Western Region, with two divisions: The Mountain States and the Pacific States

See also

• U.S. Census
• Core based statistical area
• Demographics of the United States
• Demographic history of the United States
• List of metropolitan areas by population
• List of places with fewer than ten people
• Mean center of U.S. population
• Race (U.S. Census)
• United States 2000 Census
• United States metropolitan area
• Census-designated place

Reference and external links

• The original version of this article was adapted from U.S. Census Bureau text.
• United States Census Bureau website