
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.
