The United States Census Bureau s mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. The bureau s objective is to support the economic and political foundations of the United States by producing benchmark measures of the economy and population for the administration and equitable funding of federal, state and local. Its activities involve survey and questionnaire design, geographic infrastructure update and data collection, processing and dissemination. As part of the Department of Commerce, the U.S Census Bureau s strategic plan also provides the information and tools to maximize U.S. competitiveness and economic growth for American industries, workers and consumers. The bureau is one of the largest statistical agencies of the federal government. The U.S. Census Bureau is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in Mississippi, Colorado, North, Carolina and Pennsylvania.