The census is much more than just a head count. It provides a picture of our nation that helps determine where to build new schools, hospitals and businesses; how federal funding is distributed; and how congressional seats are apportioned. It also helps us see how our communities have changed over time. That's why an accurate count is so important.
It's about $675 billion. The distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on census data. That money is spent on
- schools
- hospitals
- roads
- public works
- health care
- student financial aid
- and other vital programs
It's about fair representation. Every 10 years, the results of the census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats each state gets. Due to population loss in Illinois over the past decade, the State of Illinois will lose a congressional representative after the 2020 Census. While a reduction in at least 1 congressional representative is likely inevitable, the loss of a second seat could result from an undercount caused by resident non-response to the census. After each decade's census, state officials also redraw the boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts in their states to account for population shifts.
Census data are being used all around you. Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy. Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness. Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, which create jobs. Real estate developers use the census to build new homes and revitalize old neighborhoods.