Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a census? [Back to Top]

A census is a periodic official count of the population.

What is Congressional Apportionment? [Back to Top]

"Apportionment" is the process of dividing the 435 memberships, or seats, in the House of Representatives among the 50 states. The Census Bureau conducts the census at 10-year intervals. At the conclusion of each census, it uses the results for calculating the number of House memberships each state is entitled to have. The latter process is the initial use of the basic results of each census. While there are numerous other uses for census data, a second major use is for geographically defining state legislative districts (see Census 2000 Redistricting).

What is a sample? [Back to Top]

A sample is a set of elements analyzed to estimate the characteristics of a population.

What is the difference between race and ethnicity? [Back to Top]

Federal Register Notice (06/09/1994, Vol. 59(1994))
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/notice_15.html

Federal Register Notice (08/28/1995, Vol. 60, No. 166)
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity
http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/fedreg/race-ethnicity.html

Federal Register Notice (7/9/1997, Part II, Vol. 62, No. 131)
Recommendations from the Interagency Committee for the Review of the Racial and Ethnic Standards to the Office of Management and Budget Concerning Changes to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/directive_15.html

Federal Register Notice (7/17/1997, Vol. 62, No. 137)
Census 2000 Dress Rehearsal Questions on Race and Hispanic Origin
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/race/fr62-137.html

Federal Register Notice (10/30/1997, Vol. 62, No. 210)
Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/1997standards.html

Draft Provisional Guidance on the Implementation of the 1997 Standards for Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (February 17, 1999)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/inforeg/race.pdf

OMB Bulletin NO. 00-02, (03/09/2000)
Guidance on Aggregation and Allocation of Data on Race for Use in Civil Rights Monitoring and Enforcement
http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/bulletins/b00-02.html

Racial and Ethnic Classifications Used in Census 2000 and Beyond
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/race/racefactcb.html

Questions and Answers for Census 2000 Data on Race, 03/14/2001
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/raceqandas.html

Population Division - Working Paper No. 18
Results of the 1996 Race and Ethnic Targeted Test
http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0018/twps0018.html

Population Division - Working Paper No. 16
Findings on Questions on Race and Hispanic Origin Tested in the 1996 National Content Survey
http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0016/twps0016.html

1996 National Content Survey: Findings on Questions on Race and Hispanic Origin
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/96natcontentsurvey.html