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A census refers to the practice of counting people and property in a particular region. Censuses have existed since ancient times to determine the populations size and calculate what people require (Sullivan, 2020). Like the United States, most countries conduct a census after every ten years while others, such as Australia and Japan, take five years. Hawes (2020) explains that counting people can be done by filling in a questionnaire or through the internet. Individuals are asked to record crucial information such as relationship status, race, age, and occupation (Sullivan, 2020). It is essential to understand the benefits of census data to the federal government, states, and citizens.
The primary purpose of census data in the United States is reapportioning political power in the states. Reapportionment refers to distributing the 435 memberships and seats in the House of Representatives for the next ten years (Hawes, 2020). This practice helps to increase or minimize the seats that a particular state has in Congress. Local and state governments use census data to form the city, legislative, school board, and county seats. Therefore, the states with many representatives have more influence than those with less.
The United States Decennial Census, referred to as Census of Population and Housing, is mandated by law as the most significant effort of mobilizing peace in the world. Additionally, the America Census Bureau conducts the exercise after every ten years. Sullivan (2020) explains that the first census in the United States was conducted in 1790. There are significant reasons for increased Americas population between 1950 and 1970. The number of people in 1950 was 150,697,361 while that of 1970 was 203,392,031 (Sullivan, 2020). The industrial revolution is among the primary reasons for the rise, not because birth rates increased, but because death rates fell as people relocated to the cities (Balk et al., 2018). Additionally, Sullivan (2020) explains that Americans who lived abroad were first counted in 1950. There was an argument that some population segments had been undercounted; therefore, the improvement was crucial in the 1970 census (Balk et al., 2018). The census bureau implemented some modifications to ensure that accurate information was obtained.
The counting of people and property is implemented because it helps a nation understand its citizens and focus on the future. The United States constitution mandates census by Article 1, Section 2 (Hawes, 2020). The census helps the counties and local governments know where various structures such as hospitals, schools, or supermarkets should be built. Sullivan (2020) explains that businesses need the census data to decide the appropriate place to erect factories, stores, and offices, resulting in job creation. The counting of people assists developers in revitalizing old buildings and establish new homes. The local governments are also helped to enhance emergency preparedness and individuals safety (Hawes, 2020). Therefore, people in society receive essential services and improve their living standards.
The information collected when counting people helps the United States federal government decide where and how assistance, grants, and funds should be distributed to the communities, counties, and states. This is because the government uses more than $400 billion in funding on infrastructure and other services (Sullivan, 2020). The government helps Americans based on the total population and breakdowns by age, sex, race, or employment (Balk et al., 2018). Therefore, a locality with a high population has more development than that with fewer people.
The accuracy of counting people and property does not affect the political representation only but ensures that the funds are disbursed appropriately. When individuals respond to the census, they help their community get more than $675 billion every year (Sullivan, 2020). These funds are spent on different vital programs such as roads, hospitals, schools, and other public works. Developments at the community level help to expand local businesses because people identify prime locations to operate.
The counting of people in my community has benefited me in different ways because the federal government distributes adequate funds. As a result, the relevant authorities have constructed schools, resulting in enhanced education opportunities for residents. I have personally benefited from this education since I joined the elementary school. Another census contribution is the health sectors improvement because the local government has purchased advanced machines and improved the quality of healthcare in my community (Sullivan, 2020). This has simplified treatment processes and medicines in my community. There has also been an expansion of businesses which has increased the availability of quality products at affordable prices.
Most households in the United States were invited to participate in the 2020 census between March 12-20. Hawes (2020) explains that individuals were instructed how to respond to the questions by mail, online, or the phone. This was the first time that all Americans responded to the counting using the internet. The Census Bureau did a follow-up through calls or physical appearance to households that did not respond to the questionnaire (Hawes, 2020). If the home did not respond to one or two visits from census takers, the Bureau checked to see if there were any records for the house. A households information would also be sought from the building manager, landlord, or neighbor if they failed to respond three times. People were counted at their residential places as of April 1, 2020 to ensure an accurate and complete exercise (Hawes, 2020). This is because homes are where people live and mostly sleep, with fewer exemptions. I participated in the 2020 census because I understand its benefits to the community and individuals.
The distribution of seats in Congress happens after the counting of people. The number of individuals residing in states changes; therefore, Americas seats should be redivided occasionally (Sullivan, 2020). If the number of people living in my state and community goes up, there will be more seats in the House of Representatives. On the contrary, the state might lose the seat if its population grows more slowly. Sullivan (2020) explains that every Congress member gets one vote on each considered bill, so having more seats translates to added votes. As a result, healthcare and education, which significantly impact the citizens, are proportionately affected.
In summary, the United States Constitution requires that all Americans be counted every ten years. The first census was conducted in 1790, and the number of individuals has continually increased. There was a remarkable population increase between 1950 and 1970, which is attributed to the industrial revolution. The counting of people is implemented to know the number of people in the country. The federal government uses a census to determine the funds and assistance required in a particular state or community. An accurate census results in states and local communities growth, resulting in individuals economic enhancement.
References
Balk, D., Leyk, S., Jones, B., Montgomery, M. R., & Clark, A. (2018). Understanding urbanization: A study of census and satellite-derived urban classes in the United States, 1990-2010. PloS ONE, 13(12), e0208487.
Hawes, M. B. (2020). Implementing differential privacy: Seven lessons from the 2020 United States Census. Harvard Data Science Review 2(2).
Sullivan, T. A. (2020). Coming to our census: How social statistics underpin our democracy (and republic). Harvard Data Science Review,2(1).
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