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United States census

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Map showing the four main geographical regions of the United States as defined by the US Census Bureau.

The United States Census

The United States census is a special count of everyone living in the country. It happens every ten years. This count helps leaders know how many people live in each state. It also helps decide how money is spent on schools, roads, and other important things.

The first census in the United States was in 1790. That was after the American Revolution. Since then, there have been 24 censuses. The most recent one was in 2020, and the next one will be in 2030.

The United States Census Bureau does the census. They use new technology to make counting easier. In 2020, families could answer questions online, by phone, or on paper forms. The census helps make sure everyone is counted fairly. The information people share is kept private.

The census is required by the Constitution of the United States. It says that the number of people in each state must be counted every ten years. This helps decide how many representatives each state gets in Congress. The census counts citizens, people living here legally, and long-term visitors. It focuses on where a person usually lives.

Census data help plan many things. It helps decide where to build roads and how to prepare for big events. It also helps businesses and researchers understand the country better. The census is a useful tool for many kinds of planning and research.

Images

Historical photo showing women operating keypunch machines for data entry in the United States.
A census worker collects information from a respondent in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1940, with a dog musher nearby.
Posters at a Brooklyn community center encouraging people to fill out the U.S. Census in 2020.
An 1854 oil painting called 'Taking the Census' by Francis William Edmonds, showing everyday life in America.
The official seal of the Colony of Virginia from 1714, featuring symbolic designs representing the state's history.
The official logo for the Minnesota Census from the year 2010.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on United States census, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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