The data collected by the census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to adjust or redraw electoral districts based on where populations have increased or decreased.

What is the main purpose of the census?

The census tells us who we are and where we are going as a nation, and helps our communities determine where to build everything from schools to supermarkets, and from homes to hospitals. It helps the government decide how to distribute funds and assistance to states and localities.

What are 5 things the census is used for?

Both products track five key areas of child well-being: 1) economic well-being; 2) health; 3) safety; 4) family and community; and 5) education. These five areas are largely defined by statistics directly derived from census data or calculated using census data.