An Overview Article I, Section 2, of the United States Constitution places the census at the core of our democratic system of governance by calling for a count of the nation's population every ten years. The decennial census provides information that is the cornerstone of knowledge about the American people. It is the basis for virtually all demographic information used by educators, policy makers, and community leaders. Census data directly affects decisions made on all matters of national and local importance, including education, employment, veterans' services, public health care, rural development, the environment, transportation, and housing. Because the accuracy of the census directly affects our nation's ability to ensure equal representation and equal access to important governmental resources for all Americans, ensuring a fair and accurate census must be regarded as one of the most significant civil rights and equal rights issues facing the country today.
Surveys determine city limit lines and are necessary for an accurate city count.
In 1999 alone, Round Rock added 1,957 acres to the city through 17 separate annexations. The 2000 Census will be based upon city limits as of January 1, 2000. The City is comprised of several census tracts which are further broken down into block groups and blocks. Several of the old 1990 tracts covered large, formerly uninhabited areas and even extended into neighboring communities. Our current ETJ is expected to remain relatively unchanged for many years.