What is a limitation of census data?

• A. Complete data
• B. Some segments of population may be undercounted
• C. It is always up-to-date
• D. It covers only urban areas

Answer: (B)

Census data are designed to count every person in a population at a specific moment, but a fundamental limitation is that some groups are undercounted. Homeless individuals, people in unstable housing, residents in remote or hard-to-reach areas, recent migrants, and individuals who distrust government contact may be missed or counted inaccurately. This coverage error means population totals can be biased, which in turn affects how resources are allocated, services are planned, and rates or proportions are calculated.

The idea of data being complete would be ideal, but in practice it isn’t guaranteed. Census data are collected at intervals (often every ten years), so they aren’t always up-to-date. And census coverage includes both urban and rural areas, so saying it covers only urban areas isn’t accurate.