The Political
Importance
Of The
2020 Census
What are the political benefits of completing the census?
The results of the census:
- Apportionment: the census determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives
- Census data are also used to draw the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts
What does the census mean for Nebraska?
- Because the size of the US House of Representatives is fixed by law at 435 members, shifts in the nation's population mean some states will gain seats in the House, others will lose seats
- 100 years ago, Nebraska had 6 seats in the US House
- By the 1960 census, Nebraska's apportionment had shrunk to 3 House seats
- You can't control the population change, but you can help make sure everyone in Nebraska is counted
Want more information about the political implications of the census?
Watch this video from the Census Bureau: