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Last updated on October 7, 2025

Census

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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.

Census for US Students
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What is 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:

 

  • When the population size is small, it makes the population manageable and counting easier.

 

  • When the population is diverse, it becomes easier to collect data. When there are significant differences among the population groups, census is used.

 

  • We can use it when a detailed analysis is needed, as it helps in in-depth examination of various characteristics.

 

  • When high accuracy is required, we use census as it gives precise and reliable data.
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Difference Between Census and Sampling

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

 

In sampling, the data is collected using a selected portion of the population

Used when the population is small

 

Used when the population is large

It is more accurate as it has the information of the whole population

 

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 

 

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

 

We use it for research, market studies, and quick estimates

 

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Real-Life Applications of Census

In various aspects of society, governance, and business, we use census. Let's see a few real-world applications of census. 

 

  • We use census for government planning and policymaking; to allocate education, health, and infrastructure. Census helps determine where to build public infrastructure based on the population growth. 

 

  • Companies use census to identify potential markets, customer demographics, etc. 

 

  • In health care, census is used to plan vaccination campaigns or disease prevention strategies.

 

  • In the education sector, we use census to determine the performance of students and teachers. 
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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in 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. 

Mistake 1

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Misunderstanding the purpose of the census

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Students tend to think that census is about counting people; they overlook its role in gathering information about social, economic data, and demographics. So to avoid this, we need to read and understand the official documents of the census. 

Mistake 2

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Using an outdated census data

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Using old census data will lead to inaccuracy because the population keeps changing. So it is important to refer to the year of publishing before referring to it. Try to use the recent census for analysis. 

Mistake 3

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Thinking that the census is 100% accurate

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Students think that the census is error-free, and they ignore the potential undercounts, overcounts, or reporting mistakes. They need to understand that even strict data collection also has limitations. It is best practice to cross-check with additional sources. 

Mistake 4

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Confusing census with sample

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Students mix up the concept of census and sample, thinking they are one and the same. In census, the data is collected for the whole population, whereas in sample, the data is collected only for a group in the population. 

Mistake 5

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Using raw numbers instead of percentage or ratio

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Representing the data as raw numbers without context can lead to errors when it comes to comparing the areas or groups of different sizes. So it is important to convert the raw data into percentage or ratio.

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Solved Examples of Census

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Problem 1

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?

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 The average daily census for the first six months is 153.7 patients per day.

Explanation

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.

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Problem 2

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?

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The annual population growth rate is 1%

Explanation

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%

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Problem 3

A census finds 2,000,000 people living in 500,000 households. Find the average household size.

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The average household size is 4 people per household

Explanation

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.

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Problem 4

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?

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The gender ratio of the city is 109.1 males per 100 females

Explanation

Here, the number of males = 60,000


Number of females = 55,000

 

The gender ratio = (60,000 / 55,000) × 100 = 109.09

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Problem 5

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?

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The literacy rate is 72%

Explanation

The literate population = 7200


The total population = 10000


Literacy rate = (7200 / 10000) × 100 = 72%

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FAQs on Census

1.What is a census?

A census is a way of collecting, recording, and analyzing information about a given population.

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2.Why is census important?

Census is significant because it provides accurate and detailed data about the population. It is used by organizations and the government to plan public services, policymaking, resource allocation, and understanding the changes. 

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3.What type of information is collected during a census?

In the census, we collect various information including the population size, distribution, age, gender, education status, employment status, and other demographic, social, and economic characteristics. 

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4.What is sampling?

The way of collecting data from a subgroup of the population is called sampling.

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5.Is sampling and census the same?

No, sampling and census are not the same. In sampling, we use only a group from the whole population but in census, we collect the data from the whole population. 

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Jaipreet Kour Wazir

About the Author

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

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Fun Fact

: She compares datasets to puzzle games—the more you play with them, the clearer the picture becomes!

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