Census - A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. (Taken from Wikipedia). In other words, it's like when you record data about a sample, only this time, you are recording data about the entire population
US Census - A mandated count of the US population "The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct." (US Constitution: Article 1, Section 2)
