§191 — Title 13 Census | U.S. Code

Summary

The census must count every State, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. The Secretary can also decide to include other U.S. possessions or areas under U.S. control, but adding those places needs the Secretary of State’s approval. For counts in the territories or other included areas, the Secretary may use census data gathered by the local governor or the top federal official if the Secretary approved how it was done. If the Secretary chooses not to do a census in an area, they may use data from other federal or government sources. Any information from foreign governments must come through the Secretary of State.

Title 13, §191

Census — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Each of the censuses authorized by this chapter shall include each State, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and as may be determined by the Secretary, such other possessions and areas over which the United States exercises jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty. Inclusion of other areas over which the United States exercises jurisdiction or control shall be subject to the concurrence of the Secretary of State.

(b)For censuses taken in the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any possession or area not specifically designated in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may use census information collected by the Governor or highest ranking Federal official, if such information was obtained in accordance with plans prescribed or approved by the Secretary.

(c)If, pursuant to a determination by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section, any census is not taken in a possession or area over which the United States exercises jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty, the Secretary may include data obtained from other Federal agencies or government sources in the census report. Any data obtained from foreign governments shall be obtained through the Secretary of State.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–521 struck out “(other than censuses of population)” after “this chapter” and “Alaska, Hawaii” after “the District of Columbia”, inserted “the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands” after “Guam”, and struck out provision that censuses of population shall include all geographic areas referred to in first sentence of subsec. (a). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–521 inserted “the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands” after “Guam”, and substituted “use census information” for “utilize or adopt census data” and “if such information was obtained” for “when such data are obtained”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–521 substituted “If, pursuant to a determination by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section” for “When, under determination by the Secretary as provided in paragraph (a) above”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1976 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Executive Documents

Admission of Alaska and Hawaii to StatehoodAlaska was admitted into the Union on Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, and Hawaii was admitted into the Union on Aug. 21, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3309, Aug. 21, 1959, 24 F.R. 6868, 73 Stat. c74. For Alaska Statehood Law, see Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions. For Hawaii Statehood Law, see Pub. L. 86–3, Mar. 18, 1959, 73 Stat. 4, set out as a note preceding section 491 of Title 48.

§191 Geographic Scope of Censuses