Census: Dictionary Meaning
A census is:
* An official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details such as age, sex, occupation, and marital status.
* A complete enumeration of a particular population.
* A systematic collection of data about the members of a population.
Example:
* "The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a census every ten years."
* "The results of the census showed a significant increase in the population of the city."
The word "census" comes from the Latin word cēnsus, which meant "assessment" or "taxation".
This reflects the historical origin of censuses, which were initially used to determine who should pay taxes and how much. Today, censuses are used for a variety of purposes, including:
* Understanding population demographics
* Allocating government resources
* Developing social policies
* Conducting market research
* Tracking historical trends