50 Ways Census Data Are Used

50 Ways Census Data Are Used

• Decision making at all levels of government.

• Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts.

• Attracting new businesses to state and local areas.

• Distributing over $300 billion in federal funds and even more in state funds.

• Forecasting future transportation needs for all segments of the population.

• Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services.

• Forecasting future housing needs for all segments of the population.

• Directing funds for services for people in poverty.

• Designing public safety strategies.

• Development of rural areas.

• Analyzing local trends.

• Estimating the number of people displaced by natural disasters.

• Developing assistance programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

• Creating maps to speed emergency services to households in need of assistance.

• Delivering goods and services to local markets.

• Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, or children.

• Planning future government services.

• Planning investments and evaluating financial risk.

• Publishing economic and statistical reports about the United States and its people.

• Facilitating scientific research.

• Developing “intelligent” maps for government and business.

• Providing proof of age, relationship, or residence certificates provided by the Census Bureau.

• Distributing medical research.

• Reapportioning seats in the House of Representatives.

• Planning and researching for media as backup for news stories.

• Providing evidence in litigation involving land use, voting rights, and equal opportunity.

• Drawing school district boundaries.

• Planning budgets for government at all levels.

• Spotting trends in the economic well-being of the nation.

• Planning for public transportation services.

• Planning health and educational services for people with disabilities.

• Establishing fair market rents and enforcing fair lending practices.

• Directing services to children and adults with limited English language proficiency.

• Planning urban land use.

• Planning outreach strategies.

• Understanding labor supply.

• Assessing the potential for spread of communicable diseases.

• Analyzing military potential.

• Making business decisions.

• Understanding consumer needs.

• Planning for congregations.

• Locating factory sites and distribution centers.

• Distributing catalogs and developing direct mail pieces.

• Setting a standard for creating both public and private sector surveys.

• Evaluating programs in different geographic areas.

• Providing genealogical research.

• Planning for school projects.

• Developing adult education programs.

• Researching historical subject areas.

• Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans.