Updated: September 2002
US Census
Issue Description
Federal law requires individuals to fill out and submit the census form (see Title 13-Census of the United States Code). However, some homeschool families have been concerned about the intrusive nature of some questions on the forms. The resources on this page are designed to help you discern your rights and responsibilities relating to the census.
Issue Background
The nationwide population census is authorized under Article I, Section 2, of the United States Constitution. The first census was taken in 1790 and included only six simple questions:
- Name of the head of the household;
- Number of persons living in the household;
- Number of free white males who are sixteen years old or older living in the household (this question told how many young men were available to drafted into wars. It also told how many young men were available to work in the industrial process.);
- Number of free white males who are under the age of sixteen living in the household;
- The sex and race of all of the other persons living in the household.
The decennial census first changed in 1820 to include occupational information in addition to the first six questions. Over the last two centuries, the decennial census has evolved to include additional information that the federal government has deemed important. Required information includes, but is not limited to:
- every free person's name;
- information about taxes, schools, crime, wages; information on the general condition of housing, etc.;
- data on mortality.
Since it's beginning the US Census has been a cause of concern for many Americans, initially because the census information was public, but now because of the increased number of invasive questions.
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