united States Census

Directions: Read the article and discuss the questions that follow.

The framers of the Constitution believed an accurate census was so crucial that they included it in Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution. Having an accurate count of the number of people living in each state is essential for a representative democracy because it helps determine the makeup of Congress. Each state has two senators. The number of congresspeople that each state elects to the House of Representatives, of course, depends on population. A 1929 law set the total number of representatives at 435, to be divided among the 50 states. The census identifies how many people live in each state and where, so that every ten years each state’s number of allotted representatives can change, depending on the population. The number of representatives, plus the two senators, also determines each state’s Electoral College vote in presidential elections. Having an accurate census of all the people living in the country also helps Congress determine how it will allocate the billions of dollars it sends to the states and local governments. These funds support various programs, such as education, infrastructure, public health benefits, and environmental protection. These programs are for all Americans, not just citizens. The census has an impact on people’s lives daily. The census is also used by businesses, community groups, and individuals for economic development, marketing decisions, and strategic planning. The census describes people’s living arrangements, ages, incomes, and levels of education. It also provides information on people’s homes, whether they rent or own, the number of rooms, the value, and the availability of phones and computers. During the first census in 1790, officials actually rode around the country counting all the people. This method was used for several decades. Since 1960, the U.S. Census Bureau has mailed questionnaires to households and used in-person interviews. All persons living in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are covered in the census. This includes citizens, noncitizens, permanent residents, and long-term visitors. Beginning in March of every census year, each U.S. household receives a form that legally must be completed and returned to the Census Bureau. In 2020, people can respond to the census by mail, phone, or online. Then, the forms are counted. Information is made available to the public by the end of the census year. The names of individuals are kept separate from the data, are confidential, and by law cannot be shared with the public or other government agencies. The 2020 census came under some controversy when the executive branch proposed adding a question about citizenship. The constitutional mandate only says the census will count the number of people living in the United States, not whether people are citizens. The concern was that noncitizens would avoid the census for fear of jeopardizing their ability to stay in the country, and thus undercounting some areas. In the end, the citizenship question was not included in the census.

I found this statement in some literature regarding the US Census,

Every person counted in the Census brings $2,200 to our community every year for the next ten years!!!

You can see why it is so important that every household completes and turns in their Census forms. It’s very simple, does not require you to give your name, and even I was able to complete it online.

Text me a copy of your answers only, (page 2) or turn in page 2 with your NTI packet. Text photo of answers, with your name, to 606-634-3463.

To receive 25 bonus points, talk to your family about the importance of the Census, text me your name and message, send e-mail, or write on your NTI packet.

1. Why is a census included in the U.S. Constitution?

Besides representation, how else do states benefit from an accurate census?

If you were running a business, how might census data on people's ages, incomes, and living restrictions help you market your products?

Compare and contrast the way the census was taken before and after 1960.

The Census counts all people residing in the United States, not just citizens. Why is it important to do this?