Laserfiche WebLink
WHY DO WE <br />TAKE THE <br />CENSUS? <br />The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2) mandates a <br />headcount every 10 years of everyone residing in the 50 <br />states, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas of the United <br />States. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, <br />citizens, and noncitizens. The first census was conducted in <br />1790 and one has been conducted every 10 years since then. <br />The population totals from the census determine <br />the number of seats each state has in the House of <br />Representatives. States also use the totals to redraw their <br />legislative and school districts. The next census occurs in <br />2020. <br />The U.S. Census Bureau must submit state population totals <br />to the President of the United States by December 31, 2020. <br />The population totals also affect funding in your community, <br />and data collected in the census help decision makers know <br />how your community is changing. Approximately $675 <br />billion in federal funding is distributed to communities each <br />year. <br />Will the 2020 Census be the same as 2010? <br />There are some important changes in 2020: <br />• We are building a more accurate address list and auto- <br />mating our field operations —all while keeping your infor- <br />mation confidential and safe. <br />• For the first time, you will be able to respond online, by <br />phone, or by mail. <br />• We will use data that the public has already provided to <br />cut down on in -person follow up visits to nonresponding <br />households. <br />U.S. Census Bureau <br />2020 Census Complete Count Committee Guide 1 <br />