Legal Definitions - federal census

A federal census is an official count of people conducted by the Census Bureau of the United States. The purpose of the census is to compile social and economic data for the political subdivision to which the people belong. The Constitution requires only a simple count of persons for purposes of apportioning congressional representation among the states. However, the census has evolved to include a wide variety of information that is useful to businesses, historians, and others not affiliated with the federal government.

• Every ten years, the United States conducts a federal census to count the population and gather information about demographics, housing, and employment.
• The federal census is used to determine how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives.
• The federal census also provides valuable data for businesses to make informed decisions about where to locate and what products to offer.

These examples illustrate how the federal census is an important tool for understanding the population and economy of the United States. By gathering data on a wide range of topics, the census helps policymakers, businesses, and researchers make informed decisions that benefit society as a whole.