Census vs. Survey
Main DifferenceThe main difference between the Census and the Survey is that the Census collects information about every member of the population whereas Survey collects information from a sample of population.

Difference Between Census and Survey
Census vs. Survey
A type of data collection that collects information about every member of the population is known as census, whereas a type of data collection that collects information from a sample of population is known as survey.
Census vs. Survey
Census does not use any sample selection to collect information on the other hand; a sample is selected in a survey to represent the whole population.
Census vs. Survey
Census contains more information, so it is more accurate. Conversely, a survey is not as much accurate or reliable as a census.
Census vs. Survey
Census requires more time to complete on the flip side; the survey can be completed in a shorter period of time.
Census vs. Survey
It is more expensive to conduct a census; on the other hand, Survey conduction is a less expensive process.
Census vs. Survey
Census is commonly conducted by the government while anyone can conduct a survey.
Census vs. Survey
Census is a more expensive and time taking process so; it cannot be conducted frequently, on the other hand, the survey is a less expensive and less time taking process so, it can be conducted more frequently.
Census vs. Survey
Census is mostly associated with housing censuses and national population to count all housing units and persons in a specific region while, a survey may focus on different types of information and topics in different fields such as opinions, preferences, behaviors, or factual information, etc.
Censusnoun
An official count or enumeration of members of a population (not necessarily human), usually residents or citizens in a particular region, often done at regular intervals.
Surveynoun
The act of surveying; a general view.
Censusnoun
Count, tally.
Surveynoun
A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.
A survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.Censusverb
To collect a census.
Surveynoun
The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
Censusnoun
a period count of the population
Surveynoun
A measured plan and description of any portion of country.
The owners of the adjoining plots had conflicting surveys.Censusverb
conduct a census;
They censused the deer in the forestSurveynoun
An examination of the opinions of a group of people.
The local council conducted a survey of its residents to help it decide whether to go ahead with the roadside waste collection service.Surveynoun
A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions of a group of people.
I just filled out that survey on roadside waste pick-up.Surveynoun
(historical) An auction at which a farm is let for three lives.
Surveynoun
(US) A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.
Surveyverb
To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
He stood on a hill, and surveyed the surrounding country.Surveyverb
To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
Surveyverb
To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of
It was his job to survey buildings in order to determine their value and risks.Surveyverb
To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry
to survey land or a coastSurveyverb
To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.
Surveyverb
To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.
Surveynoun
a detailed critical inspection
Surveynoun
short descriptive summary (of events)
Surveynoun
the act of looking or seeing or observing;
he tried to get a better view of ithis survey of the battlefield was limitedSurveyverb
consider in a comprehensive way;
He appraised the situation carefully before actingSurveyverb
look over in a comprehensively, inspect;
He surveyed his new classmatesSurveyverb
keep under surveillance;
The police had been following him for weeks but they could not prove his involvement in the bombingSurveyverb
hold a review (of troops)
Surveyverb
make a survey of; for statistical purposes
Surveyverb
plot a map of (land)
Comparison Chart
Census | Survey |
A type of data collection that collects information about every member of the population is known as census. | A type of data collection that collects information from a sample of the population is known as survey. |
Sample Selection | |
Census does not use any sample selection to collect information. | A sample is selected in a survey to represent whole information. |
Accurateness | |
Census contains more information and is more accurate. | The survey is not as much accurate or reliable as a census. |
Time required | |
Census requires more time to complete. | A survey can be completed in a shorter period of time. |
Expensive | |
It is a more expensive process to conduct a census. | Survey conduction is a less expensive process. |
Conducted By | |
Census is commonly conducted by the government. | Anyone can conduct a survey. |
Frequency | |
Census cannot be conducted frequently. | A survey can be conducted more frequently. |
Importance | |
It is mostly associated with housing censuses and national population to count all housing units and persons in a specific region. | It may focus on different types of information and topics in different fields, such as opinions, preferences, behaviors, or factual information, etc. |
Census Vs. Survey
Census and survey are two methods of data collection that are used to record information about the members. Census is the type of data collection that gathers information about every member of the population; on the other hand, the survey collects information only from a sample of population. Census contains more information and is more accurate, on the flip side, survey is not as much accurate or reliable as a census. There is noá sampling method used in census while we use a sample in survey to represent the whole population. Census requires more time to complete whereas; survey can be completed in a shorter period of time. It is more expensive to conduct a census while conducting a survey is less expensive. Census is commonly conducted by the government, on the other side, anyone can conduct a survey. As census is a more time taking and expensive process so, it cannot be conducted frequently on the other hand, as a survey is a less time taken and a less expensive process so, it can be conducted more frequently.
What is Census?
A type of data collection method that covers the whole population is known as a census. It collects information from every member of the population. Collection of data is without any sampling method so; we can say that 100 percent sample is used in the census. It’s mean it has more detailed and accurate data about a population which is the best advantages of a census. But it is a time taking and expensive process because it involves the entire population, which is a lengthy procedure and involves a longer publication time-frame. That is why it is not easy to conduct a census frequently. It is mostly associated with housing censuses and national population. According to the United Nations, census should be conducted at least after every ten years because the information becomes out of date. Its aim is to count all housing units and persons in the United States. It is generally carried out by the government of the country.
What is Survey?
A type of data collection that only involves a part or sample of the total population is known as a survey. During a survey, a random sample is selected to represent the entire population. As it only involves a sample from a population, so it is less accurate and reliable as compared to a census. As large as the sample is, the result will be more accurate. Different types of data collection methods are used for sampling, such as polls, interviews, questionnaires, etc. It is less time taking and the less expensive process than census and can also be conducted frequently. That is why it has become a popular data collection method in many research fields. It can be conducted to get information about different research fields, e.g. marketing, psychology, and sociology, etc. It may focus on different types of information and topics such as opinions, preferences, behaviors, or factual information, etc.
ConclusionAbove discussion summarizes that census and survey both are data collection methods. A census involves all the data of a population and is more accurate and expensive whereas, the survey involves only a sample from the population, so it is less expensive and less accurate.