Census Bureau
How the Census Shapes Political Power and Funding
See how census counts shape House seats, Electoral College votes, and federal funding, and which groups get undercounted most.
Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce is the federal agency that supports American business, trade, and economic measurement. It collects data on the population and the economy, sets technical standards, promotes exports, regulates the sale of sensitive technology abroad, protects inventions, forecasts the weather, and helps communities develop local economies. Its work touches businesses, researchers, and households alike.
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Latest in Department of Commerce
Census Bureau
How Congressional Seats Are Divided Among the States
Learn how 435 U.S. House seats are divided among states after the 2020 census, using the method of equal proportions fixed since 1929.
Economic Indicators
The Fed’s Preferred Inflation Gauge: Why PCE Matters More Than CPI
When inflation makes headlines, most Americans hear about the Consumer Price Index. However, inside the Federal Reserve—the institution controlling interest rates and monetary policy—the Personal Consumption…
Redistricting and Gerrymandering
What Excluding Undocumented Immigrants From the Census Would Change
The U.S. Constitution requires a national census every ten years for one fundamental purpose: to determine how political power is allocated among states in the House…
Topics in Department of Commerce
Data and standards
The Bureau of Economic Analysis measures the economy, the Census Bureau counts and describes the population, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology develops measurement science and technical standards.
Trade and security
The International Trade Administration promotes exports and fair trade, and the Bureau of Industry and Security controls exports of sensitive goods and technology.
Business and communities
The Economic Development Administration funds local economic projects, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office grants patents and registers trademarks.
Weather and communications
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts weather and studies oceans, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration advises on communications and the airwaves.
All Articles on Department of Commerce
How the Department of Commerce Reviews Foreign Investments for National Security Risks
At the heart of United States economic policy lies a fundamental tension: the nation actively encourages foreign direct investment for its immense economic benefits…
EU-US Data Privacy Framework: How Commerce Manages Transatlantic Data Flows
The flow of data across borders drives the global economy, particularly between the United States and European Union. This relationship underpins a massive economic…
How the Government Champions International Standards for U.S. Economic Power
From the smartphone in your pocket to the safety features in your car and the quality of the air you breathe, agreed-upon rules ensure…
How the Commerce Department Fights the $4.5 Trillion Counterfeit Goods Market
The global trade in counterfeit goods has become a criminal enterprise worth between $1.7 trillion and $4.5 trillion annually. This illicit market exceeds drug…
How the Government Protects Your Intellectual Property Overseas
Intellectual property is the lifeblood of the American economy. More than just an abstract legal concept, it represents the tangible output of American ingenuity—life-saving…
The Department of Commerce’s Role in the US Economy
The U.S. Department of Commerce operates under a simple mission: "to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities." While this…
The 12 U.S. Department of Commerce Bureaus – and What They Do
The U.S. Department of Commerce operates as America's "business department," though its reach extends far beyond what most people realize. Headquartered in the Herbert…
How the Commerce Department Fights Global Corruption to Help American Businesses
American companies face a $1 trillion problem when they try to expand overseas: global corruption. The World Bank estimates that bribery has grown into…
NTIA and the US Internet
The internet is run by organizations, agreements, and institutions. America's role in this system is supported in part by the National Telecommunications and Information…
America’s Hidden Spectrum War
Your smartphone, GPS navigation, and weather forecast all depend on invisible radio waves. Behind the scenes, a quiet battle rages over these airwaves between…