2010 United States Census
The 2010 United States Census was the 23rd decennial count, taken April 1, 2010; it recorded 308,745,538 people, used a short ten-question form, and informed apportionment, redistricting, and funding.
The 2010 United States Census, officially the Twenty-Third Census, was the decennial population count carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau with Census Day set as April 1, 2010. The Census produced a resident population total of 308,745,538, an increase of about 9.7 percent over the 2000 count of 281,421,906. The results provided the baseline population figures used for congressional apportionment, redistricting, federal program funding, and a wide range of planning and research purposes.
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Scope and approach
The 2010 Census differed from some earlier counts by using only a short form for every household. That short questionnaire contained roughly ten basic questions about household composition and basic demographics. More detailed socioeconomic and housing characteristics are derived from the American Community Survey, which replaced the long-form questionnaire used in past decennial censuses. The Bureau combined mail-in returns with follow-up visits to non-responding addresses to try to achieve a complete count.
Key characteristics and uses
Decennial census data serve several fundamental functions: determining the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives, guiding how state legislative and local districts are drawn, and informing allocation formulas for federal and state programs. Beyond government purposes, census totals support business decisions, public health planning, infrastructure investment, and academic research.
Results, trends and impacts
The 2010 totals confirmed continued population growth since 2000 and helped identify regional shifts in population. Growth in the South and West influenced reapportionment outcomes and planning priorities, while demographic details highlighted the importance of migration and natural increase as components of growth. The official counts triggered the formal reapportionment process and subsequent state redistricting efforts.
Challenges and discussion
Like other censuses, the 2010 operation faced challenges in counting hard-to-reach populations, including transient residents, some minority communities, and remote areas. Ensuring participation, addressing nonresponse, and safeguarding respondent confidentiality were prominent concerns. The Census Bureau emphasizes that individual responses are protected by federal law and used only for statistical purposes.
Legacy and further information
The 2010 Census marked a step in the ongoing evolution of how population data are collected and used in the United States, reinforcing the role of the American Community Survey for detailed characteristics between decennial counts. For more information, official summaries and datasets are available through primary resources and explanatory materials.
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Author
AlegsaOnline.com 2010 United States Census Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/112450
Sources
- 2010 United States Census
- 2010.census.gov : "Census 2010 News | U.S. Census Bureau Announces 2010 Census Population Counts -- Apportionment Counts Delivered to President"
- 2010.census.gov : "Frequently Asked Questions"
- economist.com : "Censuses: Costing the count"
- cnn.com : "Census Bureau comes in under budget for 2010 operational costs"
- gao.gov : "2010 Census: Cost and Design Issues Need to Be Addressed Soon (GAO-04-37)"