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# History

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### Agency History FAQs

### Also in this Section:

                          - Has the census always been conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau?
                          - When did the U.S. Census Bureau become a permanent agency?
                          - Who was in charge during each census?
                          - How many census takers are needed to conduct the census?
                          - When did the U.S. Census Bureau move to Suitland, MD, and why?
                          - Has anyone famous ever worked at the U.S. Census Bureau?  

## Who was in charge during each census?

The first censuses were loosely "supervised" by the Secretary of State.  Temporary census offices under the Department of the Interior were headed by a "Superintendent of the Census" or other administrator.  Since its establishment as a permanent agency in 1902 [684 KB PDF], the U.S. Census Bureau has been overseen by a director.  More information about the "head" of each census can be found at the Director Biographies Web page.

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Measuring America's People, Places, and Economy

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