15 CFR § 90.3 - § 90.3 Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t15/s90.3"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "15 CFR § 90.3 - §  90.3   Definitions."
title_number: 15
title_name: "Commerce and Foreign Trade"
section_number: "90.3"
section_name: "§  90.3   Definitions."
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF THE CENSUS, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE"
part_number: "90"
part_name: "PROCEDURE FOR CHALLENGING POPULATION ESTIMATES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "13 U.S.C. 4 and 181."
regulatory_source: "88 FR 17705, Mar. 24, 2023, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "90"
---


# 90.3 §  90.3   Definitions.

As used in this part (except where the context clearly indicates otherwise) the following definitions shall apply:

(a) *Census Bureau* means the U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.

(b) *Population Estimates Challenge* means, in accordance with this part, the process a governmental unit may use to provide additional input data for the Census Bureau's population estimate and the submission of substantive documentation in support thereof.

(c) *Director* means Director of the Census Bureau, or an individual designated by the Director to perform under this part.

(d) *Population estimate* means a statistically developed calculation of the number of people living in a governmental unit to update the preceding census or earlier estimate.

(e) A *governmental unit* means the government of a county, municipality, township, incorporated place, or other minor civil division, which is a unit of general-purpose government below the State.

(f) A *non-functioning county or statistical equivalent* means a sub-State entity that does not function as an active general-purpose governmental unit. This situation exists in Connecticut, Rhode Island, for selected counties in Massachusetts, and for the Census Areas in Alaska.

[88 FR 17705, Mar. 24, 2023, as amended at 91 FR 2855, Jan. 23, 2026]