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Written by: Ron S. Jarmin, Acting Director
Our statistical products – like median household income or monthly retail sales – don't just emerge out of thin air. Underlying all our data products are one or more sources of more detailed data from which we compute the statistics you see on our website or in the news media. The sources are typically responses to our household and business censuses and surveys or records on government or private-sector databases.
The most important factor underlying the quality of the statistics we produce is the quality of source data from which they're computed.
For decades, the primary method for gathering source data at federal statistical agencies has been the sample surveys. Such surveys yield statistics about a population by randomly sampling a much smaller subset of units, unlike a census, which measures all units in the population.
However, the workhorse surveys that served the country well for decades are showing signs of stress. Households and businesses are becoming more reluctant to fill out government (and other) surveys. This trend has been underway for some time, and we see it across many countries. Continue reading...
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About the Census Bureau
We serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. As the world’s premier statistical agency, we are dedicated to making our nation a better place. Policy-makers, businesses, and the public use our data to make informed decisions.
Resources for Media
For media interviews, please contact the Public Information Office Toll Free at 877-861-2010, 301-763-3030, or pio@census.gov.
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