THIS CENSUS WAS THE SECOND IN A SERIES THAT BEGAN IN 1971, AND SELECTED 1971 AND 1973 DATA ARE COMPARED IN THE REPORT. SIX TYPES OF FACILITIES WERE SURVEYED: DETENTION CENTERS; SHELTERS; RECEPTION OR DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS; TRAINING SCHOOLS; RANCHES, FORESTRY CAMPS, AND FARMS; AND HALFWAY HOUSES AND GROUP HOMES. THE BASIC APPROACH USED IN THE REPORT IS TO CLASSIFY JUVENILE FACILITIES ACCORDING TO PRIMARY TYPE OR FUNCTION, STATE OR LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, AND SEX OF PERSONS ADMITTED, AND THEN TO USE THESE CHARACTERISTICS TO EXAMINE BASIC TOPICAL AREAS, SUCH AS PERCENT OCCUPANCY, ADMISSIONS, DEPARTURES, DETENTION STATUS OF JUVENILES HELD, AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OF RESIDENTS, STAFF, AND EXPENDITURES. SUPPORTING STATISTICAL TABLES FURNISH A DATA BASE THAT CAN BE USED TO INVESTIGATE INDIVIDUAL TOPICS IN MORE DETAIL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).