Current Population Survey (CPS) Basic Demographics

Attachment C

S. Census
Respects
Call our national
1-800-923-8282 or one
listed

Services Center at
our Regional Offices

Without you, the country doesn't have timely
statistical information about how we are doing
economically, educationally, or socially. This is a
fundamental way that the American public can
make sure that our democracy is well informed.
For statistical surveys to work, those chosen at
random to be surveyed must respond. We want
you to feel safe doing this. The Census Bureau has
successfully protected respondents' answers for
over 100 years.
Our highest priority at the Census Bureau is using
your answers only for determining how the country
is doing. By law, we cannot share your answers
with anyone-including other federal agencies
and state and local law enforcement agencies.
In 20 l 0, the justice Department determined that
confidentiality law that protects census data.

Go to for a
complete
of the states or counties
covered by each
Office.

We pledge to keep your answers confidential.

Learn more about our data protection and
policy at .

no provision of the U.S. Patriot Act overrides the

This commitment means you can provide honest

census.gov

answers to our questions knowing that they will
only be merged into thousands of others to paint
a portrait of the country. The Census Bureau

Connect with us today:

knows that our pledge of confidentiality is key in
obtaining accurate data.

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Issued April 2011
BC-1428RV

By law, the Census Bureau cannot share your

We will not release or share any data that

The Census Bureau measures America's

answers with anyone.

could be used to identify you.

people, places, and economy. By

• Only authorized Census Bureau employees

help shape the future for yourself, your

Law
Title 1 3 of the U.S. Code ensures that all
information collected by the Census Bureau is
used for statistical purposes only.

Oath
All Census Bureau employees take an oath of
nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect

the confidentiality of all data collected by
the agency.

The Penalties
The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up
to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or
both.

Safety in the Digital Age

participating in a census or survey, you
can see your personal identifiable information.
• No authority can obtain personal identifiable
data from the Census Bureau. The airtight law

r Commun

The data that you provide tells us vital
information about emerging trends, such as the

Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Citizenship and

condition of education, hospital care, retail sales,

Immigration Services, police, military, and

and crime. The data also describe the health,

welfare agencies-everybody!

housing, employment, income, and consumer

• Copies of census questionnaires cannot be used
as evidence in a court of law.
• Census data on individuals or establishments
may not be disclosed under the Freedom of
Information Act.
• Statistical totals are even withheld if they

with technological safeguards. Our computer

represent a geographic area so small that

systems are strictly controlled through passwords,

someone might be indentified.

unauthorized access.

Census Data and

applies to the White House, U.S. Supreme Court,

The Census Bureau protects your information

firewalls, encryption, and auditing to prevent

community, and the country.

expenditures of our population.

Census Data and Our Economy
Economic data collected by the Census Bureau
form the basis for the national unemployment
rate, official income and poverty statistics,
Consumer Price Index, monthly housing statistics,
and other economic indicators.