What is the decennial census?

The decennial census is a constitutionally required, once-every-ten-years undertaking to count every person living in the United States. Congress has delegated its authority to conduct the count to the U.S. Department of Commerce and its Census Bureau.

The Census Bureau is currently ramping up for the 2020 Census. April 1, 2020 is Census Day. The ongoing American Community Survey (ACS) is a legal part of the decennial census, providing annually updated information for policymakers on the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of every community in the nation.