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Last updated on October 7, 2025
Two important methods of data collection are census and sampling. Census is a process of collecting, analyzing, evaluating, representing, and publishing the data of a population. In this topic, we will be learning more about census.
The method of collecting data from a population is known as census. The process of calculating, collecting, and recording data or data of a given population is census. Censuses are widely used to collect data of global and national populations, agriculture, education, business, etc. They provide comprehensive and detailed information about the population based on certain characteristics. For example, to know more about a country, we use the census of different sectors, such as education, health, life expectancy, and population.
These are the cases where the census method of collecting data are suitable:
There are two different methods of data collection: Sampling and census. Now let’s learn the difference between census and sampling.
Census | Sampling |
The process of collecting data from the population is called census
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In sampling, the data is collected using a selected portion of the population |
Used when the population is small
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Used when the population is large |
It is more accurate as it has the information of the whole population
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It is less accurate as it is based on the estimate of the entire population |
It is time-consuming as it collects the data of a large population
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It is faster to collect data from a small group in the population |
We use it for national statistics, policymaking, population census, and government planning
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We use it for research, market studies, and quick estimates |
In various aspects of society, governance, and business, we use census. Let's see a few real-world applications of census.
Students usually make errors when working on census, and they tend to repeat those mistakes. So let’s learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A hospital operates with a certain number of beds throughout the year. From January to June, it had 150 beds, and from July to December, it increased to 200 beds. The hospital provided 27,813 patient-days of service in the first six months. What was the average daily census for the first six months?
The average daily census for the first six months is 153.7 patients per day.
The number of days in the months are:
January = 31 days
February = 28 days
March = 31 days
April = 30 days
May = 31 days
June = 30 days
So, the total number of days = 31 + 28 + 31 + 30 + 31 + 30 = 181 days.
Then the average daily census = 27813 / 181 = 153.663.
So, the average daily census for the first six months is 153.66 patients per day.
A city had a population of 500,000 people, which increased to 525,000 over a period of 5 years. What is the annual population growth rate?
The annual population growth rate is 1%
The total population increase is 525,000 – 500,000 = 25,000
The population increase over 5 years is 5%
So,
Annual Growth Rate = Total Growth / Number of Years = 5% / 5 = 1%
A census finds 2,000,000 people living in 500,000 households. Find the average household size.
The average household size is 4 people per household
Here, the total population = 2,000,000
Number of households = 50,000
The average household size = 2,000,000 / 500,000 = 4
So, the average household size is 4 people per household.
A census survey conducted in a city recorded 60,000 males and 55,000 females. What is the gender ratio of the city, expressed as the number of males per 100 females?
The gender ratio of the city is 109.1 males per 100 females
Here, the number of males = 60,000
Number of females = 55,000
The gender ratio = (60,000 / 55,000) × 100 = 109.09
A village has a total population of 10,000 people, out of which 7,200 individuals are literate. What is the literacy rate of the village in percentage?
The literacy rate is 72%
The literate population = 7200
The total population = 10000
Literacy rate = (7200 / 10000) × 100 = 72%
Jaipreet Kour Wazir is a data wizard with over 5 years of expertise in simplifying complex data concepts. From crunching numbers to crafting insightful visualizations, she turns raw data into compelling stories. Her journey from analytics to education ref
: She compares datasets to puzzle games—the more you play with them, the clearer the picture becomes!