… All developed countries have some method of generating timely statistics on basic social and demographic attributes of neighborhoods, small communities and counties. … The central statistical tool for such small areas in the United States is the American Community Survey. … The economic census, a tool critical to gathering U.S. economic statistics, costs even less, 41 cents per person. …
Unfortunately, the appropriations bill considered by the House of Representatives eliminates both programs. [cont.]
Robert Groves, director, U.S. Census Bureau (Washington Post)