50 Ways Census Data is 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 indifferent 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.