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Here's a quick refresher of what it is and why it's essential that everyone is counted.
The census counts every person living in the U.S. once, only once, and in the right place.
Every 10 years, the results of the census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats each state gets.
The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years. The census covers the entire country and everyone living here. The first census was in 1790.
Census data determines how more than $675 billion is spent, supporting state, city and county programs. When people don’t respond, communities lose up to $2,000 per person each year.
Federal law protects your census responses. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics. By law, your information cannot be shared with immigration enforcement agencies or law enforcement agencies. It also cannot be used to determine your eligibility for government benefits.
After each census, state officials use the results to redraw the boundaries of their congressional and state legislative districts, adapting to population shifts.
The census supports community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy.
In 2020, you will be able to respond to the census online, by phone or by mail.