Why do we have a Census?

The U.S. Constitution mandates a count every 10 years of everyone living in the United States. People of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens will be counted. The population totals from the 2020 Census will determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. States also use the totals to redraw their legislative districts. The totals also affect funding in your community. The information the Census Bureau collects helps determine how more than $675 billion of federal funding is spent each year for critical services like schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, emergency services, affordable housing, and much more. Participation in the Census is mandatory.