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The United States Census Bureau is primarily responsible for producing data about the American people and economy, operating as a principal agency of the U.S. federal statistical system.
Answer: True
The Bureau of the Census is a principal agency of the U.S. federal statistical system, primarily responsible for producing data about the American people and economy.
The director of the U.S. Census Bureau is appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, not the President of the United States.
Answer: False
The director of the Census Bureau is appointed by the President of the United States, not the Secretary of Commerce.
As of September 19, 2025, George Cook is the acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Answer: True
George Cook serves as the acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau as of September 19, 2025.
The primary mission of the Census Bureau's decennial count is to determine the number of electoral votes each state receives in presidential elections.
Answer: False
The primary mission of the decennial count is to allocate seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to the states based on their population, not to determine electoral votes.
The U.S. Constitution mandates a population enumeration at least once every five years.
Answer: False
Article One, Section II of the U.S. Constitution mandates a population enumeration at least once every ten years.
The Census Bureau's legal authority to collect national statistics is primarily derived from the Commerce Clause of the Constitution.
Answer: False
The Census Bureau's legal authority to collect national statistics is codified in Title 13 of the United States Code.
What is the official name of the United States Census Bureau?
Answer: The Bureau of the Census
The official name of the United States Census Bureau is the Bureau of the Census.
Which U.S. government department oversees the Census Bureau?
Answer: Department of Commerce
The U.S. Census Bureau is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Who is responsible for appointing the director of the Census Bureau?
Answer: The President of the United States
The director of the Census Bureau is appointed by the President of the United States.
What is the primary mission of the U.S. census, conducted every ten years?
Answer: To allocate seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The primary mission of the U.S. census, conducted every ten years, is to allocate seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to the states based on their population.
Which article and section of the U.S. Constitution mandates the enumeration of the population?
Answer: Article One, Section II
Article One, Section II of the U.S. Constitution mandates the enumeration of the population.
What is the legal basis for the Census Bureau's authority to collect national statistics?
Answer: Title 13 of the United States Code
The legal basis for the Census Bureau's authority to collect national statistics is codified in Title 13 of the United States Code.
From 1790 through 1840, the census was conducted by marshals of the judicial districts.
Answer: True
In the early years of the United States, from 1790 through 1840, the census was conducted by marshals of the judicial districts.
The Census Office was established by the Census Act of 1840 and later became the Census Bureau under the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903.
Answer: True
The Census Office was established by the Census Act of 1840 and was renamed the Census Bureau under the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903.
An act in 1920 authorized manufacturing censuses every five years and agriculture censuses every two years.
Answer: False
An act in 1920 authorized manufacturing censuses every two years and agriculture censuses every 10 years.
In 1929, a bill was passed mandating that the House of Representatives be reapportioned based on the results of the 1930 census.
Answer: True
A bill passed in 1929 mandated the reapportionment of the House of Representatives based on the 1930 census results.
The TIGER database system was developed in the 1990s to improve the precision of census data collection.
Answer: False
The TIGER database system was developed in the 1980s, not the 1990s.
The TIGER system functions as a geographic information system (GIS) and its data is publicly available.
Answer: True
The TIGER system functions as a geographic information system (GIS), and its data is publicly available, facilitating broader research and planning.
The 1890 census was the first to use electric tabulating machines, invented by Herman Hollerith.
Answer: True
The 1890 census was indeed the first to utilize electric tabulating machines, which were invented by Herman Hollerith.
John Mauchly approached the Census Bureau in 1946 for funding for the ENIAC computer, which the bureau accepted in 1951.
Answer: False
John Mauchly approached the Census Bureau in 1946 for funding for UNIVAC development, not ENIAC, and a UNIVAC I computer was accepted in 1951.
For the 2010 Decennial Census, handheld computers (HHCs) were used for the address canvassing portion to reduce paper usage and compile a more comprehensive address list.
Answer: True
Handheld computers (HHCs) were used for the address canvassing portion of the 2010 Decennial Census to reduce paper usage, lower payroll expenses, and compile a more comprehensive address list.
A major challenge with the HHCs during the 2010 Decennial Census was their high cost, which exceeded the budget.
Answer: False
While the 2010 census was costly, a major challenge with the HHCs was operational problems and data transmission difficulties in rural areas due to scarcity of cell phone towers, not specifically their high cost exceeding the budget.
Who was responsible for conducting the census in the early years of the United States, from 1790 to 1840?
Answer: Marshals of the judicial districts
From 1790 to 1840, marshals of the judicial districts were responsible for conducting the census.
When was a central Census Office established by the Census Act?
Answer: 1840
A central Census Office was established by the Census Act of 1840.
What significant change regarding manufacturing and agriculture censuses was authorized by an act in 1920?
Answer: Manufacturing censuses every 2 years and agriculture censuses every 10 years.
An act in 1920 authorized manufacturing censuses every two years and agriculture censuses every 10 years.
What mandate was passed in 1929 concerning the U.S. House of Representatives?
Answer: To reapportion seats based on the 1930 census results.
In 1929, a mandate was passed to reapportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives based on the results of the 1930 census.
What does TIGER stand for in the context of the Census Bureau's technological innovations?
Answer: Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing
TIGER stands for Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing, a database system developed in the 1980s.
Who invented the electric tabulating machines first used in the 1890 census?
Answer: Herman Hollerith
Herman Hollerith invented the electric tabulating machines first used in the 1890 census.
What pioneering electronic digital computer did John Mauchly approach the Census Bureau about funding for in 1946?
Answer: UNIVAC
John Mauchly approached the Census Bureau in 1946 about funding for UNIVAC development.
When did the Census Bureau transition from door-to-door data collection to using mailed forms for the decennial census?
Answer: 1970
The Census Bureau transitioned from door-to-door data collection to using mailed forms for the decennial census beginning in 1970.
Which of the following was a challenge faced with the handheld computers (HHCs) during the 2010 Decennial Census?
Answer: Scarcity of cell phone towers causing data transmission difficulties in rural areas.
A significant challenge with the handheld computers (HHCs) during the 2010 Decennial Census was the scarcity of cell phone towers, which caused data transmission difficulties in rural areas.
Between decennial censuses, the Census Bureau is responsible for making population estimates and projections.
Answer: True
The Census Bureau is responsible for making population estimates and projections between decennial censuses.
The Census Bureau conducts only the decennial census and the American Community Survey, with no other ongoing programs.
Answer: False
The Census Bureau conducts over 130 surveys and programs annually, in addition to the decennial census and the American Community Survey.
American FactFinder was replaced by data.census.gov as the Census Bureau's primary data dissemination tool in March 2020.
Answer: True
American FactFinder was decommissioned in March 2020 and replaced by data.census.gov as the Census Bureau's primary data dissemination platform.
The Census Bureau gathers information for ongoing surveys exclusively through mailed questionnaires.
Answer: False
Information for ongoing surveys is gathered by a network of professional field representatives who collect data from sample households, not exclusively through mailed questionnaires.
The Census Bureau conducts research studies to improve the quality and efficiency of its work, exploring topics like survey innovations and data accuracy.
Answer: True
The Census Bureau conducts research studies to continuously improve the quality and efficiency of its work, including exploring survey innovations and data accuracy.
What is the current platform for accessing Census Bureau data, replacing American FactFinder?
Answer: data.census.gov
data.census.gov is the current platform for accessing Census Bureau data, replacing American FactFinder.
How does the Census Bureau primarily gather information for its ongoing surveys between decennial censuses?
Answer: Via professional field representatives collecting data from sample households.
The Census Bureau primarily gathers information for its ongoing surveys via professional field representatives collecting data from sample households.
Which of the following is an example of an ongoing survey conducted by the Census Bureau?
Answer: The American Community Survey
The American Community Survey is an example of an ongoing survey conducted by the Census Bureau.
The U.S. Census Bureau defines five statistical regions with ten divisions for data collection, including U.S. territories.
Answer: False
The U.S. Census Bureau defines four statistical regions with nine divisions for data collection, and U.S. territories are not included in these divisions.
The four main statistical regions used by the U.S. Census Bureau are the North, South, East, and West.
Answer: False
The four main statistical regions used by the U.S. Census Bureau are the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.
The New England division includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Answer: True
The New England division, part of the Northeast region, includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania are part of the Mid-Atlantic division within the Northeast region.
Answer: True
New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania are indeed part of the Mid-Atlantic division within the Northeast region.
The East North Central division of the Midwest region includes Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.
Answer: False
The East North Central division includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri are part of the West North Central division.
The South Atlantic division includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Answer: True
The South Atlantic division, located in the South region, includes all the listed states and the District of Columbia.
Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee are all part of the East South Central division of the South region.
Answer: True
Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee constitute the East South Central division of the South region.
The West South Central division of the South region includes Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Answer: False
The West South Central division includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Arizona and New Mexico are part of the Mountain division of the West region.
The Mountain division of the West region includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Answer: True
The Mountain division of the West region includes all the listed states.
Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington are included in the Pacific division of the West region.
Answer: True
The Pacific division of the West region comprises Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.
The North Central region was renamed the Midwest in 1994.
Answer: False
The North Central region was renamed the Midwest in 1984, not 1994.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four main statistical regions defined by the U.S. Census Bureau?
Answer: Southeast
The four main statistical regions defined by the U.S. Census Bureau are the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. Southeast is not one of them.
Which states are included in the New England division of the Northeast region?
Answer: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
The New England division of the Northeast region includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The Mid-Atlantic division within the Northeast region comprises which three states?
Answer: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
The Mid-Atlantic division within the Northeast region comprises New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Which states are part of the East North Central division of the Midwest region?
Answer: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
The East North Central division of the Midwest region includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The West North Central division of the Midwest region includes which of the following states?
Answer: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
The West North Central division of the Midwest region includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Which states and district are part of the South Atlantic division within the South region?
Answer: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
The South Atlantic division within the South region includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
What states make up the East South Central division of the South region?
Answer: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
The East South Central division of the South region is composed of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Which states are in the West South Central division of the South region?
Answer: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
The West South Central division of the South region includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Which states are part of the Mountain division within the West region?
Answer: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
The Mountain division within the West region includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Census Bureau data helps allocate over $675 billion in federal funds annually, supporting essential services and infrastructure.
Answer: True
The Bureau's censuses and surveys help allocate over $675 billion in federal funds annually, supporting essential services and infrastructure in communities.
Governments use census data to decide the location of new housing, plan transportation systems, and establish localized areas for elections.
Answer: True
Governments utilize census data for various planning purposes, including new housing, transportation systems, and establishing localized areas for elections.
The Census Bureau uses census data to define race genetically and biologically for statistical purposes.
Answer: False
The Census Bureau explicitly states that census data is not used to determine or define race genetically, biologically, or anthropologically, focusing instead on self-identification for statistical purposes.
A core responsibility of the Census Bureau is providing quality data while ensuring individual privacy and protecting confidentiality, including non-disclosure of personal information.
Answer: True
The Census Bureau's core responsibility is providing quality data while rigorously respecting individual privacy and protecting confidentiality, including non-disclosure of personal information.
Violating the Census Bureau's non-disclosure agreement can result in a fine of up to $100,000 or two years in prison.
Answer: False
Violating the Census Bureau's non-disclosure agreement can result in a fine of up to $250,000 or five years in prison.
The '72-year rule' allows individual census information to be released to the public after 72 years, based on the assumption that most participants would be deceased.
Answer: True
The '72-year rule' dictates that individual census information becomes available to the public after 72 years, based on the assumption that most participants would be deceased.
The Census Bureau denied assisting Japanese American internment efforts during World War II until 2007, when its role was finally proven.
Answer: True
The Census Bureau's role in assisting Japanese American internment efforts during World War II was denied for decades but finally proven in 2007.
Census data is politically sensitive because it influences congressional apportionment and federal investments, leading to a risk of politicization.
Answer: True
Census data is politically sensitive due to its influence on congressional apportionment and federal investments, which creates a risk of politicization.
The Census Information Center (CIC) program provides access to census data for government agencies only.
Answer: False
The Census Information Center (CIC) program provides access to census data for underserved communities through national, regional, and local non-profit organizations, not exclusively for government agencies.
Approximately how much federal funding is allocated annually with the help of Census Bureau data?
Answer: Over $675 billion
Census Bureau data helps allocate over $675 billion in federal funds annually.
How does the Census Bureau define race in its data collection?
Answer: Based on self-identification for statistical purposes.
The Census Bureau defines race based on self-identification for statistical purposes, not genetically, biologically, or anthropologically.
What is the maximum penalty for a Census Bureau employee who violates the non-disclosure agreement?
Answer: A fine of up to $250,000 or five years in prison.
Violating the Census Bureau's non-disclosure agreement can result in a fine of up to $250,000 or five years in prison.
What is the '72-year rule' regarding individual census information?
Answer: Information becomes available to the public after 72 years.
The '72-year rule' dictates that individual census information becomes available to the public after 72 years.
What historical controversy involved the Census Bureau assisting Japanese American internment efforts during World War II?
Answer: The bureau provided confidential neighborhood information, a role denied for decades.
During World War II, the Census Bureau assisted Japanese American internment efforts by providing confidential neighborhood information, a role that was denied for decades.
What is the purpose of the Census Information Center (CIC) cooperative program?
Answer: To represent the interests of underserved communities by providing access to census data.
The Census Information Center (CIC) cooperative program aims to represent the interests of underserved communities by providing them with access to and assistance in using census data.
The Census Bureau's headquarters has been in Suitland, Maryland, since 1942, and its National Processing Center is in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Answer: True
The Census Bureau's headquarters is in Suitland, Maryland, and its National Processing Center is in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
The 2010 decennial census cost an estimated $4.5 billion, a decrease from the 2000 census.
Answer: False
The 2010 decennial census cost an estimated $14.7 billion, which was a significant increase from the 2000 census cost of $4.5 billion.
In 2013, the Census Bureau consolidated its regional offices from twelve to six due to increasing data collection costs and changes in survey management tools.
Answer: True
The Census Bureau consolidated its regional offices in 2013 from twelve to six, citing increasing data collection costs and advancements in survey management tools.
Where is the Census Bureau's National Processing Center located?
Answer: Jeffersonville, Indiana
The Census Bureau's National Processing Center is located in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
What was the estimated cost of the 2010 decennial census?
Answer: $14.7 billion
The estimated cost of the 2010 decennial census was $14.7 billion.
Why did the Census Bureau consolidate its regional offices from twelve to six in 2013?
Answer: Because of increasing data collection costs and the growing use of multi-modal surveys.
The Census Bureau consolidated its regional offices in 2013 due to increasing data collection costs and the growing use of multi-modal surveys.
Which of the following offices was NOT closed during the 2013 regional office consolidation?
Answer: Chicago
During the 2013 regional office consolidation, the offices in Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, and Seattle were closed. Chicago remained one of the six current regional offices.