The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States.
It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years.
The data collected by the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute federal funds to local communities.
♦ Decennial Census by Decade
♦ Decennial Census Questionnaire Archive
A nationwide survey that produces characteristics of the population and housing, similar to the long-form questionnaire used in Census 2000.
The American Community Survey produces these estimates for small areas and small population groups.
It is a continuous survey: each month a sample of housing unit addresses receives a questionnaire.
About 3.5 million addresses are surveyed each year.
Census Tracts, Block Groups, and ZCTAs are only in the 5-year estimates
Have legally described boundaries; they may provide governmental services or may be used to administer programs.
Defined primarily for data tabulation and presentation purposes.
Census Reference Maps, including tract and block maps for the 2020 Decennial Census
Using the Census Reference Maps are one way to find Census tract and block numbers for an area of interest.
for instance:
Fresno City Index map for Census Tracts and Blocks pdf
1. Locate your area on this index map and note the map number indicated
2. Find the pdf ending in that number on this list: Index of Fresno city block maps
3. Find your area(s) on the map and note the Tract and Block numbers