census

cen·sus   (sěn'səs)    n.   An official, usually periodic enumeration of a population, often including the collection of related demographic information. In ancient Rome, a count of the citizens and an evaluation of their property for taxation purposes. tr.v.   cen·sused, cen·sus·ing, cen·sus·ed To include in a census; conduct a census of: "Every plant one centimeter in diameter or larger is censused every five years" (John P. Wiley, Jr.) [Latin cēnsus, registration of citizens, from cēnsēre, to assess; see kens- in Indo-European roots.]

census 

Main Entry: cen·sus
Function: noun
: a usually complete count of a population (as of a state); especially : a periodic governmental count of a population that usually includes social and economic information (as occupations, ages, and incomes) —see also Article I and Amendment XVI of the CONSTITUTION in the back matter

Census

There are five instances of a census of the Jewish people having been taken. (1.) In the fourth month after the Exodus, when the people were encamped at Sinai. The number of men from twenty years old and upward was then 603,550 (Ex. 38:26). (2.) Another census was made just before the entrance into Canaan, when the number was found to be 601,730, showing thus a small decrease (Num. 26:51). (3.) The next census was in the time of David, when the number, exclusive of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, was found to be 1,300,000 (2 Sam. 24:9; 1 Chr. 21:5). (4.) Solomon made a census of the foreigners in the land, and found 153,600 able-bodied workmen (2 Chr. 2:17, 18). (5.) After the return from Exile the whole congregation of Israel was numbered, and found to amount to 42,360 (Ezra 2:64). A census was made by the Roman government in the time of our Lord (Luke 2:1). (See TAXING.)