Determining usual residence is easy for most people. Given our nation's wide diversity in types of living arrangements, however, the usual residence for some people is not as apparent. A few examples are people without housing, commuter workers, snowbirds, college students, live-in nannies, military personnel, and migrant workers.

Applying the usual residence concept to real living situations means that people will not always be counted at the place where they happen to be staying on Census Day (April 1, 2010). For example, people temporarily away from their usual residence, such as on vacation or on a business trip on Census Day, will be counted at their usual residence. People who live at more than one residence during the week, month, or year will be counted at the place where they live most of the time. People without a usual residence, however, will be counted where they are staying on Census Day. 

Snowbirds (people who live in one state but spend the winter in another state with a warmer climate) - Counted at the residence where they live most of the year.

Children in joint custody - Counted at the residence where they live most of the time. If time is equally divided, they are counted where they are staying on Census Day.

People who own more than one residence - Counted at the residence where they live most of the time. 

College students living away from home while attending college - Counted where they are living at college.

College students living at their parental home while attending college - Counted at their parental home. 

Foster children - Counted where they are living.

Roomers or boarders - Counted where they are living.

Housemates or roommates - Counted where they are living. 

Crews of military vessels with a U.S. homeport - Counted at their usual onshore residence if they report one (the place where they live and sleep most of the time when they are onshore) or otherwise at their vessel's homeport.

Crews of U.S. flag merchant vessels engaged in inland waterway transportation - Counted at their usual onshore residence (the place where they live and sleep most of the time when they are onshore).

Crews of U.S. flag merchant vessels docked in a U.S. port or sailing from one U.S. port to another U.S. port - Counted at their usual onshore residence if they report one (the place where they live and sleep most of the time when they are onshore) or otherwise on the vessel.

Crews of military vessels with a homeport outside the U.S. - Counted as part of the U.S. overseas population and not as part of the U.S. resident population.

Crews of U.S. flag merchant vessels docked in a foreign port, sailing from one foreign port to another foreign port, sailing from a U.S. port to a foreign port, or sailing from a foreign port to a U.S. port - Not included in the census.

People in nursing or convalescent homes for the aged or dependent - Counted at the nursing or convalescent home.

Patients staying in hospice facilities - Counted at the hospice.

People staying in homes, schools, hospitals, or wards for the physically handicapped, mentally retarded, or mentally ill; or in drug/alcohol recovery facilities - Counted at the institution.

Inmates of correctional institutions, including prisons, jails, detention centers, or halfway houses - Counted at the institution.

Children in juvenile institutions such as residential care facilities for neglected or abused children or orphanages - Counted at the institution.

Staff members living in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, or other institutions - Counted at their usual residence if they report one (the place where they live and sleep most of the time) or otherwise at the institution.

People at hostels, YMCAs/YWCAs, or public or commercial campgrounds - Counted at their usual residence if they report one (the place where they live and sleep most of the time) or otherwise at the hostel, etc.

Members of religious orders living in monasteries or convents - Counted at their usual residence if they report one (the place where they live and sleep most of the time) or otherwise at the monastery, etc.

People staying at Job Corps or other post-high school residential vocational training facilities - Counted at their usual residence if they report one (the place where they live and sleep most of the time) or otherwise at the Job Corps Center, etc.

People at soup kitchens or mobile food vans - Counted at their usual residence if they report one (the place where they live and sleep most of the time) or otherwise at the soup kitchen, etc.

Shelters with sleeping facilities for people without housing, for abused women, or for runaway or neglected youth - Counted at the shelter.

Citizens of foreign countries who are living in the U.S. at embassies, ministries, legations, or consulates - Counted at the embassy, etc.

Citizens of foreign countries temporarily traveling or visiting in the U.S. - Not included in the census.