Facts About the Census 2010 Residence Rule and Residence Situations

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1. WHERE YOU ARE COUNTED IS IMPORTANT

For the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau is committed to counting every person. Just as

important, however, is the Census Bureau's commitment to counting every person in the correct

place. The fundamental reason the decennial census is conducted is to fulfill the Constitutional

requirement (Article I, Section 2) to apportion the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives

among the states. Thus, for a fair and equitable apportionment, it is crucial that people are

counted in the right place during the 2010 Census.

2. THE CONCEPT OF USUAL RESIDENCE

Planners of the first U.S. decennial census in 1790 established the concept of "usual residence"

as the main principle in determining where people were to be counted. This concept has been

9. Movers On Census Day

People Who Are Born Or Die

On Census Day

10. 

Nonrelatives Of The

Householder

11. 

12. U.S. Military Personnel

Merchant Marine Personnel

On U.S. Flag

Maritime/Merchant Vessels

13. 

14. Foreign Citizens In The U.S.

U.S. Citizens And Their

Dependents Living Outside

The U.S.

15. 

People In Correctional

Facilities For Adults

16. 

Where You Are Counted Is

Important

1. 

The Concept Of Usual

Residence

2. 

3. The Residence Rule

People Away From Their

Usual Residence

On Census Day

4. 

5. Visitors On Census Day

People Who Live In More

Than One Place

6. 

People Without A Usual

Residence

7. 

8. Students

People In Group Homes And

Residential Treatment

Centers For Adults

17. 

People In Health Care

Facilities

18. 

19. People In Juvenile Facilities

People In Residential SchoolRelated Facilities20. 

21. People In Shelters

People In Transitory

Locations (e.g., RV parks,

campgrounds, marinas)

22. 

People In Religious-Related

Residential Facilities

23. 

People In Workers’

Residential Facilities

24. 

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followed in all subsequent censuses and is the guiding principle for the 2010 Census. Usual

residence is defined as the place where a person lives and sleeps most of the time. This place is

not necessarily the same as the person's voting residence or legal residence.

Determining usual residence is easy for most people. Given our Nation's wide diversity in types

of living arrangements, however, the usual residence for some people is not as apparent. A few

examples are people experiencing homelessness, snowbirds, children in shared custody

arrangements, college students, live-in employees, military personnel, and people who live in

workers’ dormitories.

Applying the usual residence concept to real living situations means that people will not always

be counted at the place where they happen to be staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census

Day). For example, people who are away from their usual residence while on vacation or on a

business trip on Census Day should be counted at their usual residence. People who live at more

than one residence during the week, month, or year should be counted at the place where they

live most of the time. People without a usual residence, however, should be counted where they

are staying on Census Day.

3. THE RESIDENCE RULE

The residence rule is used to determine where people should be counted during the 2010

Census. The rule says:

Count people at their usual residence, which is the place where they live and sleep most of

the time. 

People in certain types of facilities or shelters (i.e., places where groups of people live

together) on Census Day should be counted at the facility or shelter. 

People who do not have a usual residence, or cannot determine a usual residence, should

be counted where they are on Census Day.

The following sections describe how the residence rule applies for people in various living

situations.

4. PEOPLE AWAY FROM THEIR USUAL RESIDENCE ON CENSUS DAY

People away from their usual residence on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day), such as on

a vacation or a business trip, visiting, traveling outside the U.S., or working elsewhere without

a usual residence there (for example, as a truck driver or traveling salesperson) - Counted at

the residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

5. VISITORS ON CENSUS DAY

Visitors on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) who will return to their usual residence -

Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

Citizens of foreign countries who are visiting the U.S. on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census

Day), such as on a vacation or a business trip - Not counted in the census.

6. PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE

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People living away most of the time while working, such as people who live at a residence

close to where they work and return regularly to another residence - Counted at the residence

where they live and sleep most of the time. If there is no residence where they live and sleep

most of the time, they are counted where they live and sleep more than anywhere else. If time is

equally divided, or if usual residence cannot be determined, they are counted at the residence

where they are staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day).

People who live at two or more residences (during the week, month, or year), such as people

who travel seasonally between residences (for example, snowbirds) - Counted at the residence

where they live and sleep most of the time. If there is no residence where they live and sleep

most of the time, they are counted where they live and sleep more than anywhere else. If time is

equally divided, or if usual residence cannot be determined, they are counted at the residence

where they are staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day).

Children in shared custody or other arrangements who live at more than one residence -

Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time. If time is equally divided,

they are counted at the residence where they are staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census

Day).

7. PEOPLE WITHOUT A USUAL RESIDENCE

People who cannot determine a usual residence - Counted where they are staying on Thursday,

April 1, 2010 (Census Day).

People at soup kitchens and regularly scheduled mobile food vans - Counted at the residence

where they live and sleep most of the time. If they do not have a place they live and sleep most

of the time, they are counted at the soup kitchen or mobile food van location where they are on

Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day).

People at targeted non-sheltered outdoor locations - Counted at the outdoor location where

people experiencing homelessness stay without paying.

8. STUDENTS

Boarding school students living away from their parental home while attending boarding

school below the college level, including Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools - Counted

at their parental home rather than at the boarding school.

College students living at their parental home while attending college - Counted at their

parental home.

College students living away from their parental home while attending college in the U.S.

(living either on-campus or off-campus) - Counted at the on-campus or off-campus residence

where they live and sleep most of the time.

College students living away from their parental home while attending college in the U.S.

(living either on-campus or off-campus) but staying at their parental home while on break or

vacation - Counted at the on-campus or off-campus residence where they live and sleep most of

the time.

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U.S. college students living outside the U.S. while attending college outside the U.S. - Not

counted in the census.

Foreign students living in the U.S. while attending college in the U.S. (living either on-campus

or off-campus) - Counted at the on-campus or off-campus residence where they live and sleep

most of the time.

9. MOVERS ON CENSUS DAY 

People who move into a residence on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) who have not

been listed on a questionnaire for any residence - Counted at the residence they move into on

Census Day.

People who move out of a residence on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) and have not

moved into a new residence on Thursday, April 1, 2010 and who have not been listed on a

questionnaire for any residence - Counted at the residence from which they moved.

People who move out of a residence or move into a residence on Thursday, April 1, 2010

(Census Day) who have already been listed on a questionnaire for any residence - If they have

already been listed on one questionnaire, do not list them on any other questionnaire.

10. PEOPLE WHO ARE BORN OR DIE ON CENSUS DAY

Babies born on or before 11:59:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted at

the residence where they will live and sleep most of the time, even if they are still in the hospital

on April 1, 2010 (Census Day).

Babies born after 11:59:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Not counted in the

census.

People who die before Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Not counted in the census.

People who die on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted in the census if they are

alive at any time on April 1, 2010.

11. NONRELATIVES OF THE HOUSEHOLDER

Roomers or boarders - Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

Housemates or roommates - Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the

time.

Unmarried partners - Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

Foster children or foster adults - Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the

time.

Live-in employees, such as caregivers or domestic workers - Counted at the residence where

they live and sleep most of the time.

12. U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL 

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U.S. military personnel living in military barracks in the U.S. - Counted at the military

barracks.

U.S. military personnel living in the U.S. (living either on base or off base) but not in barracks

- Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

U.S. military personnel on U.S. military vessels with a U.S. homeport - Counted at the onshore

U.S. residence where they live and sleep most of the time. If they have no onshore U.S.

residence, they are counted at their vessel’s homeport. 

People in military disciplinary barracks and jails in the U.S. - Counted at the facility.

People in military treatment facilities with assigned active duty patients in the U.S. - Counted

at the facility if they are assigned there.

U.S. military personnel living on or off a military installation outside the U.S., including

dependents living with them - Counted as part of the U.S. overseas population. They should not

be included on any U.S. census questionnaire.

U.S. military personnel on U.S. military vessels with a homeport outside the U.S. - Counted as

part of the U.S. overseas population. They should not be included on any U.S. census

questionnaire.

13. MERCHANT MARINE PERSONNEL ON U.S. FLAG MARITIME/MERCHANT VESSELS

Crews of U.S. flag maritime/merchant vessels docked in a U.S. port or sailing from one U.S.

port to another U.S. port on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted at the onshore

U.S. residence where they live and sleep most of the time. If they have no onshore U.S.

residence, they are counted at their vessel. If the vessel is docked in a U.S. port, crewmembers

with no onshore U.S. residence are counted at the port. If the vessel is sailing from one U.S. port

to another U.S. port, crewmembers with no onshore U.S. residence are counted at the port of

departure.

Crews of U.S. flag maritime/merchant vessels engaged in U.S. inland waterway transportation

on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted at the onshore residence where they live

and sleep most of the time.

Crews of U.S. flag maritime/merchant vessels docked in a foreign port, sailing from one

foreign port to another foreign port, sailing from a U.S. port to a foreign port, or sailing from

a foreign port to a U.S. port on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Not counted in the

census.

14. FOREIGN CITIZENS IN THE U.S.

Citizens of foreign countries living in the U.S. - Counted at the U.S. residence where they live

and sleep most of the time.

Citizens of foreign countries living in the U.S. who are members of the diplomatic community

- Counted at the embassy, consulate, United Nations’ facility, or other residences where

diplomats live. 

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Citizens of foreign countries visiting the U.S., such as on a vacation or business trip - Not

counted in the census.

15. U.S. CITIZENS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS LIVING OUTSIDE THE U.S.

U.S. citizens living outside the U.S. who are employed as civilians by the U.S. Government,

including dependents living with them - Counted as part of the U.S. overseas population. They

should not be included on any U.S. census questionnaire.

U.S. citizens living outside the U.S. who are not employed by the U.S. Government, including

dependents living with them - Not counted in the census.

U.S. military personnel living on or off a military installation outside the U.S., including

dependents living with them - Counted as part of the U.S. overseas population. They should not

be included on any U.S. census questionnaire.

U.S. military personnel on U.S. military vessels with a homeport outside the U.S. - Counted as

part of the U.S. overseas population. They should not be included on any U.S. census

questionnaire.

16. PEOPLE IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES FOR ADULTS

People in correctional residential facilities on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted

at the facility.

People in federal detention centers on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted at the

facility.

People in federal and state prisons on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted at the

facility.

People in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities on Thursday, April 1, 2010

(Census Day) - Counted at the facility.

17. PEOPLE IN GROUP HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS FOR ADULTS

People in group homes intended for adults (non-correctional) - Counted at the facility.

People in residential treatment centers for adults (non-correctional) - Counted at the residence

where they live and sleep most of the time. If they do not have a residence where they live and

sleep most of the time, they are counted at the facility.

18. PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Patients in general or Veterans Affairs hospitals (except psychiatric units) on Thursday, April

1, 2010 (Census Day), including newborn babies still in the hospital on Census Day - Counted

at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time. Newborn babies should be counted at

the residence where they will live and sleep most of the time.

People in hospitals on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) who have no usual home

elsewhere - Counted at the facility.

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People staying in in-patient hospice facilities on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) -

Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time. If they do not have a

residence where they live and sleep most of the time, they are counted at the facility.

People in mental (psychiatric) hospitals and psychiatric units for long-term non-acute care in

other hospitals on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted at the facility.

People in nursing facilities/skilled nursing facilities on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) 

- Counted at the facility.

19. PEOPLE IN JUVENILE FACILITIES

People in correctional facilities intended for juveniles on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census

Day) - Counted at the facility.

People in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional) on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census

Day) - Counted at the facility.

People in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional) on Thursday, April 1,

2010 (Census Day) - Counted at the facility.

20. PEOPLE IN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL-RELATED FACILITIES

People in college/university student housing - Counted at the college/university student

housing.

Boarding school students living away from their parental home while attending boarding

school below the college level, including Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools - Counted

at their parental home rather than at the boarding school.

People in residential schools for people with disabilities on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census

Day) - Counted at the school.

21. PEOPLE IN SHELTERS

People in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) on Thursday, April 1,

2010 (Census Day) for people experiencing homelessness - Counted at the shelter.

People in living quarters for victims of natural disasters - Counted at the residence where they

live and sleep most of the time. If they do not have a residence where they live and sleep most of

the time, they are counted at the facility.

People in domestic violence shelters on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day) - Counted at the

shelter.

22. PEOPLE IN TRANSITORY LOCATIONS

People at transitory locations such as recreational vehicle (RV) parks, campgrounds, hotels

and motels (including those on military sites), hostels, marinas, racetracks, circuses, or

carnivals - Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time. If there is no

residence where they live and sleep most of the time, they are counted where they live and sleep

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more than anywhere else. If time is equally divided, or if usual residence cannot be determined,

they are counted at the place where they are staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day).

23. PEOPLE IN RELIGIOUS-RELATED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

People in religious group quarters such as convents and monasteries - Counted at the

residence where they live and sleep most of the time. If they do not have a residence where they

live and sleep most of the time, they are counted at the facility.

24. PEOPLE IN WORKERS’ RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

People in workers’ group living quarters and Job Corps Centers - Counted at the residence

where they live and sleep most of the time. If they do not have a residence where they live and

sleep most of the time, they are counted at the facility.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

Questions?

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