The census helps employers understand where the next generation of workers is coming from, which will influence their recruitment efforts. Decisions on where to locate new stores, restaurants, offices, health-care facilities, and other businesses are based on census numbers. Scientific research depends on census data. College students use census information for sociology reports, statistical profiles, and other research papers. Census figures help establish fair-market rents and enforce fair lending practices.
All personal information provided on the census questionnaire is kept confidential.
The Census Bureau is forbidden by law from sharing that information with others, including welfare agencies, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Internal Revenue Service, courts, police, and the military. Students living in residence halls should each fill out an individual census questionnaire, which will be delivered through the campus mail. Arrangements are being made to collect those questionnaires in the residence halls, so the completed forms should not be placed back in the mail. Students living off campus, where mail is delivered by street name and house or apartment number, should receive their census form through the U.S. mail. All students living at a particular address are considered part of one household, so only one form should be completed that includes information on all of those living at that address.