Summary
The first batch of results from the 2020 census count are in. The Census Bureau released state population numbers today and revealed how the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives has been reset for the next decade, and could affect the electoral college.
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By constitutional mandate, the census is conducted every 10 years and is intended to determine the numbers and locations of people living in the U.S., along with other useful demographic information.
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One of the most immediate effects of the census is that the population of states is used to determine
apportionment
, or how many representatives each state gets in Congress as well as how many electoral votes each state is awarded for presidential elections.
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Based on the results of the 2020 census, Texas has grown enough over the past 10 years to earn two extra Congressional districts (and electoral college votes), while a number of other states either lost or gained a single district.
Five Facts
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Who
is counted in the census?
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Why
is the census important for determining political representation in the U.S.?
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Why
are some states gaining Congressional districts and others losing them?
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How
do census results impact presidential elections?
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When
and how often is the census conducted in the U.S.?
Focus Questions
Do you think the way the U.S. determines presidential elections based on electoral votes is fair? Why or why not?
Media literacy:
Why do you think this story on the census is focused on political outcomes and not other effects of the census, like its importance for researchers and social sciences?
For More
Want to learn more about how the U.S. Census works?
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Be sure to visit the
official Census 2020 website
.
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Use this
lesson plan
from
iCivics
to explore the importance of students being informed and how the census impacts their communities.
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Note: You'll need to register for a free iCivics account in order to access the lesson plan.
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Download the full "Plug into Power with the U.S. Census" graphic by
visiting the site
.
