Final answer:
The U.S. population was about 281.4 million in 2000 and 308.7 million in 2010, with changes attributed to birth rates, death rates, and net immigration. The U.S. Census Bureau collects a variety of statistics beyond the population count including data on economic growth and immigration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The population of the United States according to the 2000 census was approximately 281.4 million and according to the 2010 census was about 308.7 million. This change in population size over the decade reflects a variety of factors including birth rates, death rates, and net immigration.
Net immigration is a term that refers to the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants for a given period. Looking at the history of U.S. net immigration rate, there have been fluctuations over the past century due to changes in immigration laws and global events that influenced migration patterns.
Beyond conducting the census every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau also researches several other statistics. This includes data related to economic growth, age distribution, and immigration patterns. In addition to the Decennial Census, they conduct the Current Population Survey (CPS) which helps gather more frequent population data.