The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. Its mission is defined in the Constitution of the United States, which directs that the population be enumerated at least once every ten years (through the U.S. Census), and the number of Representatives in Congress determined accordingly. It also is in charge of collecting statistics about the nation, its people, and economy.

The Census Bureau's establishment is codified in Title 13 of the United States Code.

Since 1903, the official census-taking organ of the United States government has been the Bureau of the Census. The Bureau is headed by a Director, assisted by a Deputy Director and an Executive Staff composed of the associate directors. The Bureau has 12 regional offices (Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Boston, Denver, New York, Charlotte, Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago, Kansas City, and Seattle) with additional processing centers set up temporarily for the decennial censuses.

The sole purpose of the censuses and surveys is to secure general statistical information. Replies are obtained from individuals and establishments only to enable the compilation of such general statistics. The confidentiality of these replies is very important. By law, no one — neither the census takers nor any other Census Bureau employee — is permitted to reveal identifiable information about any person, household, or business.

The bureau recognizes four census regions within the United States, and further organizes them into nine divisions. These regions are groupings of states that subdivide the United States for the presentation of data. They should not be construed as bound together by any geographical, historical, or cultural concerns. The regions are as follows:

• Region 1 (Northeast)

• Division 1 (New England)
• Division 2 (Middle Atlantic)

• Region 2 (Midwest)

• Division 3 (East North Central)
• Division 4 (West North Central)

• Region 3 (South)

• Division 5 (South Atlantic)
• Division 6 (East South Central)
• Division 7 (West South Central)

• Region 4 (West)

• Division 8 (Mountain)
• Division 9 (Pacific)

See also

Lists

• List of metropolitan areas by population
• List of places with fewer than ten people

Other

• Census-designated place
• Core based statistical area
• Demographics of the United States
• Demographic history of the United States
• Economic reports
• Mean center of U.S. population
• Minor civil division
• Race (U.S. Census)
• U.S. Census
• United States 2000 Census
• United States metropolitan area

Reference and external links

• The original version of this article was adapted from U.S. Census Bureau text.
• United States Census Bureau website
• Geographic Areas Reference Manual from the U.S. Census Bureau contains detailed explanations of geographic terms used in the census.