The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

In this report:

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. The Importance of the Census
3. Census Accuracy: The Undercount (and Overcount)
4. Census 2010: Key Operations and Milestones; How You Can Get Involved
   1. Overview of the census plan
   2. What you need to know
   3. How you can help
5. Additional Information
   1. Frequently asked questions
   2. Facts and figures
   3. Census history

People of Color

The decennial census collects data on Hispanic origin and race in order to comply with nondiscrimination legislation, address racial disparities, and provide statistics to federal agencies. In particular census data are used for the following:

• Ensuring enforcement of language assistance rules and creating legislative districts under the Voting Rights Act;
• Identifying population segments that need medical services under the Public Health Service Act;
• Monitoring and enforcing equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act; and
• Funding programs at historically black colleges and universities to foster equal opportunity through post-secondary education for African Americans.

Next Section: Immigrants