Census Bureau to Survey Nation's Spending Habits

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In April 2009, U.S.
Census Bureau field representatives will collect information about how much
Americans spend for groceries, clothing, transportation, housing, health care
and other items from a sample of households across the country.

The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE) program consists of two parts:

-- The Interview Survey -- Throughout the year, about 28,000 households
will be interviewed once every three months over five calendar
quarters
to obtain data on relatively large expenditures and also for those
expenditures that occur on a regular basis (such as rent and
utilities).

-- The Diary Survey -- During the year, another 7,000 households will
keep
two consecutive one-week diaries of smaller, more frequent purchases
that may be difficult for respondents to recall later (such as a
fast-food purchase at a drive-through window, a soda or candy bar from
a
vending machine, or a carton of eggs from the supermarket).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics then calculates and publishes integrated
data from the two surveys -- providing a snapshot of our nation's economy and
spending habits. Government economists use the survey results to update a
"market basket" of goods and services for the Consumer Price Index, our
nation's most widely used measure of inflation.

"The Consumer Price Index," said William W. Hatcher Jr., director of the
Census Bureau's Charlotte Regional Office, "helps businesses around the
country keep wages, salaries and pensions in line with increases in the cost
of living."

Before the CE interviews begin, households will receive a letter from the
Census Bureau director informing them of their selection to participate in the
survey. Census Bureau field representatives will visit these households to
conduct the interview. The field representative must display an official photo
identification before proceeding with the interview. Federal law ensures
survey respondents' personal information and answers are kept confidential.

The following data on the amount spent on health care are an example of CE
results.

Household Expenditures for Health Care: 2006-2007

Average annual amount Percentage of total
Area spent for health care expenditures

United States $2,810 5.7

Northeast $2,618 5.2
Boston 2,809 5.1
New York 2,674 4.7
Philadelphia 2,175 4.5

South $2,788 6.2
Houston 3,293 5.9
Dallas-Fort Worth 2,967 5.5
Washington, D.C. 2,641 4.0
Baltimore 2,431 4.6
Atlanta 2,355 5.0
Miami 2,167 4.7

Midwest $2,957 6.3
Minneapolis-St. Paul 3,705 6.2
Cleveland 3,293 6.9
Chicago 3,020 5.3
Detroit 2,307 4.8

West $2,857 5.0
San Francisco 3,224 4.6
Seattle 3,127 5.3
Phoenix 3,058 5.3
San Diego 2,613 4.8
Los Angeles 2,324 3.8

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

William W. Hatcher Jr., Director, U.S. Census Bureau Charlotte Regional
Office, +1-704-424-6400