Census Blogs

The “Director’s Blog” webpage launched in October 2009 as former U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves wrote about the 2010 Census and provided a director’s point of view on everything from news to topics about statistics.

In August 2012, Acting Director Tom Mesenbourg began contributing to the blog. Starting in August 2013, former Director John H. Thompson contributed to the blog, providing updates on vast intercensal surveys and programs as preparations began for the 2020 Census. In 2018, Dr. Ron Jarmin contributed to the blog while performing the non exclusive functions and duties of the director. From January 2019 to January 2020, former Director Steven Dillingham made contributions to the blog about the 2020 Census.

Beginning February 2021, Acting Census Bureau Director Dr. Ron Jarmin will be contributing to the blog, providing updates on the many ways we measure America’s people, places and economy.

The U.S. Census Bureau is the leading source of data about the population and economy of the United States. While the Census Bureau is best known for conducting a national headcount once every 10 years, the agency is continually conducting surveys that provide data about a variety of social and economic conditions.

Experts from around the Census Bureau will use Random Samplings to describe the objectives of their work and explain census and survey results. We hope this blog will increase awareness and use of the valuable data collected by the Census Bureau, and make this data more accessible to all users.

At the Census Bureau, we aim to discuss important research in government statistics, and stimulate informed debate. Research ranges from substantive topics of interest in demography, economics and other social sciences, to methodological questions, such as the role of statistical modeling in surveys, designs for the Decennial Census, research on record linkage and confidentiality protection.

Research is more important to us now than ever before. There is increased demand for data products, and the questions asked are becoming more complex and hard to measure.

On the other hand, surveys and censuses are increasingly expensive and challenging to mount. The forum will describe research at the Census Bureau that is essential to reconciling these tendencies.

In certain postings, opinions and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Census Bureau. All results have been reviewed to ensure that no confidential information is disclosed.