Bureau of the Census

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BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

The United States created a permanent census bureau in 1902. Early censuses of the U.S. population, which have been taken every ten years since 1790, were operated by temporary organizations. Today, the Census Bureau is the largest U.S. statistical agency. It collects a wide range of data about the U.S. population and economyincluding data about families, disabilities, poverty, education, housing, and economic activity. It also conducts surveys for other federal agencies on health, alcohol-related conditions, medical care, surgery, nursing homes, and home and hospice care. Government, business, and community planners use Census Bureau data to help them make informed decisions in planning public health and other government programs.

Kenneth Prewitt

(see also: Census; Demography; Statistics for Public Health )