Census.gov: Measuring America

Interactive, multimedia features give visitors the past and present of U.S. population

• By Rutrell Yasin
• Jan 14, 2011

Census.gov contains a treasure trove of information about the changing population of the United States.

In December, the Census Bureau released 2010 census data that included the resident population for the nation and the states as well as the congressional apportionment totals for each state. The 2010 census showed the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2010, was 308.7 million.

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The bureau uses interactive data maps and animation to make these stats more accessible to the general public. An interactive map widget lets users view the history of apportionment (the process of dividing the seats in the House of Representatives among the 50 states) as well as the nation’s changing population through the past century.

The widget can be embedded into other websites. Visitors can view data by population change, population density or apportionment.

To showcase the importance of participation in the 2010 Census, the Bureau launched a Portrait of America online video series in which community leaders described the importance of public participation in the census.

As a source of information about the nation’s people and economy, the bureau is also reaching out to the public via Twitter, YouTube and Facebook, and a blog from its director, Robert Groves.