How the Census Impacts You
The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years. Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.
Top 20 Uses of the Census
| 1. |
Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts. |
| 2. |
Attracting new businesses to state and local areas. |
| 3. |
Forecasting future transportation needs for all segments of the population. |
| 4. |
Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services. |
| 5. |
Directing funds for services for people in poverty. |
|
|
|
| 6. |
Development of rural and urban areas. |
| 7. |
Designing public safety strategies. |
| 8. |
Planning future government services. |
| 9. |
Planning investments and evaluating financial risk. |
| 10. |
Estimating the number of people displaced by natural disasters. |
|
| 11. |
Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, or children. |
| 12. |
Publishing economic and statistical reports about the United States and its people. |
| 13. |
Distributing medical research. |
| 14. |
Drawing school district boundaries. |
| 15. |
Planning health and educational services for people with disabilities. |
|
|
|
| 16. |
Establishing fair market rents and enforcing fair lending practices. |
| 17. |
Locating factory sites and distribution centers. |
| 18. |
Developing adult education programs. |
| 19. |
Researching historical subject areas. |
| 20. |
Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans. |
|
(source: http://www.census.ohio.gov/CensusImpactsUses.aspx)
Photo Credits: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office (PIO)
