Basics
Census = official process of counting the number of people in a country, city, or town and collecting information about them.
The United States Census Bureau is a division of the United States Department of Commerce. The Census Bureau’s mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation’s people and economy.
The results of the census have a significant impact on national, state, and local economies.
As per census.gov, what follows is a brief list of the United States Census Bureau’s duties.
Decennial Census of Population and Housing
As mandated in Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the Census Bureau counts every resident in the United States every ten years. The most recent census occurred in 2020.
Economic Census
The U.S. Government’s official five-year measure of American business and the economy.
Census of Governments
Identifies the scope and nature of the nation’s state and local government sector including public finance and public employment and classifications.
American Community Survey (ACS)
A mandatory, ongoing statistical survey that provides data every year, giving communities the current information they need to plan investments and services.
Surveys and Programs
Surveys that provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about the nation, critical for government programs, policies, and decision-making.
Economic Indicators
Fourteen different reports on key indicators are released on a specific schedule.
Practice – Questions
1. Based on the above infographic, what was the population of Texas in 2020?
A. Less than 1 million.
B. 1 million to less than 5 million
C. 5 million to less than 10 million
D. 25 million or more
2. Based on the above infographic, what was the population of Vermont in 2020?
A. Less than 1 million
B. 1 million to less than 5 million
C. 5 million to less than 10 million
D. 25 million or more
3. Based on the above infographic, what was the population of Puerto Rico in 2020?
A. Less than 1 million.
B. 1 million to less than 5 million
C. 5 million to less than 10 million
D. 25 million or more
4. Based on the above infographic, which state will gain one seat in the House of Representatives as a result of the 2020 census?
A. Texas
B. Florida
C. California
D. Kansas
5. Based on the above infographic, which state will lose one seat in the House of Representatives as a result of the 2020 census?
A. Texas
B. Florida
C. California
D. Kansas
Practice – Answers
1. D. 25 million or more
2. A. Less than 1 million
3. B. 1 million to less than 5 million
4. B. Florida
5. C. California