The U.S. Decennial Census

Welcome to the U.S. Decennial Census Research Guide.  Each page contains helpful information and links for that topic. 

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What is the Decennial Census?

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years.

Why is the Decennial Census Important?

The data collected by the decennial census is used to:

• determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives
• distribute billions in federal funds for education, transportation, social services, etc., to local communities.

View the video "The Census in the Constitution"

U.S. Census Bureau. 2013. "How Do We Know About Our Nation?"