2010 United States census

The 2010 United States census was the 23rd count of people living in the United States. It happened on April 1, 2010, and people filled out forms by mail. To make sure the count was accurate, workers went to some neighborhoods to check on people who hadn’t sent in their forms. More than 600,000 temporary workers helped with this important job.

The census found that 308,745,538 people lived in the United States, which was about 9.7% more than the count from the 2000 United States census. This was a special time because every state had more than 500,000 people, and the 100 biggest cities each had more than 200,000 people.

For the first time since 1930, California did not have the most people moving in. Texas had even more growth, with about 4.3 million more people than California’s 3.4 million increase. This showed how the country was changing and growing in different places.

Introduction

As required by the United States Constitution, the U.S. Census has been conducted every 10 years since 1790. The 2000 U.S. census was the previous census. Participation in the U.S. Census is required by law.

On January 25, 2010, Census Bureau Director Robert Groves started the 2010 census by counting World War II veteran Clifton Jackson, who lived in Noorvik, Alaska. More than 120 million census forms were mailed to homes starting in March 2010. Most people mailed back their forms, but from April to July 2010, census workers visited homes that had not returned a form. In December 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau shared population data with the U.S. president for apportionment, and later in March 2011, they gave complete data to states for redistricting.

Major changes

The 2010 United States census was simpler than past censuses. Instead of a long form with many detailed questions, everyone received a short form with just ten basic questions. These questions asked about the people living in the home, their relationships, ages, sexes, races, and whether they lived somewhere else sometimes.

The census did not offer an Internet response option or downloadable forms. Detailed socioeconomic information is now collected through the American Community Survey, which surveys different communities each year. The census also counted same-sex married couples for the first time, allowing them to mark their spouses similarly to opposite-sex couples. Census forms were available in five languages besides English: Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Korean, Vietnamese, and Russian.

Cost

The 2010 United States census cost $13 billion, which worked out to about $42 for each person in the country. This was much more than in other countries like China, where it cost about $1 per person. The actual spending on running the census was $5.4 billion, which was less than the $7 billion that was planned.

Because many people mailed back their forms, the census saved money in several ways. It saved $650 million by not needing as many door-to-door visits. It also saved $150 million in some areas like Alaska. An extra $800 million that was set aside for emergencies was not needed at all. Good planning and advertising helped get more people to respond, which saved money.

Technology

In 2005, Lockheed Martin won a big contract to help collect data for the census. They used advanced technology, like special scanners made by IBML, to process information quickly and efficiently.

For the first time, the census used small handheld devices with GPS to help locate addresses. The Census Bureau also studied how people used cell phones and social media to better reach those who hadn’t responded yet. This helped them understand why some people didn’t participate and how to encourage them to take part.

Marketing and undercounts

To make sure everyone was counted in the 2010 United States census, the Census Bureau worked with many groups like churches and charities. They explained why it was important for everyone to be counted. Famous people such as Demi Lovato, Eva Longoria, Wilmer Valderrama, Rosario Dawson, and rapper Ludacris helped spread the word, especially to younger people and groups that usually don’t participate as much.

The Census Bureau also ran big advertising campaigns, including sponsoring NASCAR races and a Super Bowl ad, to reach people who might not want to fill out their forms. They wanted to make sure all Americans, including political conservatives, were counted accurately.

Reapportionment

The 2010 census decided how many seats each state would have in the United States House of Representatives beginning with the 2012 elections. This also changed the number of votes each state had in the Electoral College for the 2012 presidential election.

Because people moved around, eighteen states saw changes in the number of seats they had. Eight states gained seats, while ten states lost seats. Overall, 12 seats were shifted between states.

Controversies

Some people had concerns about the 2010 United States census. Two senators wanted to add questions about immigration status to the census form. Others felt that counting people in prisons as residents of those locations skewed the results and affected resources for minority communities.

The word "Negro" was included as an option for describing race, which some found offensive. The Census Bureau later decided to stop using this term. Cities like Detroit and New York City also challenged the census results, saying the numbers did not match what they observed in their communities.

State rankings

See also: List of U.S. states and territories by population

During the 2010 United States census, Nevada had the highest growth rate, while Texas had the largest increase in the number of people. Michigan, which was the 8th most populous state, was the only state to see its population decrease. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, also lost population. The District of Columbia had its first population gain since the 1950s. The census counted only people living within the United States and did not include those living overseas.

Metropolitan rankings

See also: List of metropolitan statistical areas

These rankings show how big different city areas were during the 2010 United States census. You can find the full list and more details at metropolitan statistics.

City rankings

See also: List of United States cities by population

The 2010 United States census helped determine the population of cities across the country. It showed which cities were the most populated, helping people understand where many Americans lived at that time. This information is useful for planning and providing services to communities.

Locations of 50 most populous cities

The 2010 United States census identified the 50 most populous cities in the country. These cities represent some of the largest and most important urban areas in the United States.

The list includes major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia, along with many others like Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, and San Jose. Other notable cities on the list are Jacksonville, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Austin, and Columbus. The full list continues with cities such as Fort Worth, Charlotte, Detroit, El Paso, Memphis, Baltimore, Boston, Seattle, Washington, Nashville, Denver, Louisville, Milwaukee, Portland, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Tucson, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Kansas City, Mesa, Virginia Beach, Atlanta, Colorado Springs, Omaha, Raleigh, Miami, Cleveland, San Juan, Tulsa, Oakland, Minneapolis, and Wichita.