United States Census Bureau

The Census Bureau is the largest federal statistical agency, serving under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The mission of the Census Bureau is to serve as the leading source of reliable data about the nation's people and economy. In 2010, at the height of activity for the decennial census, the bureau's budget exceeded $7.25 billion. The bureau's headquarters are located in Suitland, Maryland, and it operates regional offices located in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia. In addition to conducting its own surveys and data collection efforts, the Census Bureau is funded by other federal agencies to do additional data collection. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development funds the Census Bureau to conduct the American Housing Survey, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics funds the Current Population Survey.

Beginning with the 1940 Census, the decennial censuses started collecting detailed characteristics of housing along with population data. A distinction is made with respect to the type of living quarters in which residents live between housing units and group quarters. The definition of a housing unit used by the Census Bureau is

The remainder of the nation's resident population is classified as living in group quarters. Examples of these living quarters include college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, correctional facilities, and shelters. With the end of World War II, the nation's demand for housing and along with it more detailed data on housing grew. The Census Bureau moved to fill the need, and a series of data collection efforts and new data products were developed.