Why the Census Is Important

The census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is conducted every 10 years as mandated by the United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 2. The first census was taken in 1790, by the U.S. marshals on horseback and counted 3.9 million people. The most recent census was taken in 2000 and counted more than 281 million people. The census is the foundation for measuring the nation’s population and includes all persons dwelling in U.S. residential structures, including citizens and non-citizens.

It is crucial that every person residing in Florida is counted during the 2010 Sunshine Census. When the census first began in 1790, its sole purpose was to determine the number of seats each state had in the U.S. House of Representatives. Today, in addition to this purpose, the U.S. Census also affects the amount of federal funding received by the states, counties, and cities.

The planning of Florida’s infrastructure such as, schools, government services, highways and roads, and senior centers is based on data derived from the U.S. Census. In fiscal year 2000, 85 percent of federal government grants to state and local governments were distributed based on state population and personal income. Every year, about $400 billion in federal funds are distributed to local, state, and tribal governments based on census data.

After the 2000 Census, Florida gained two additional seats in Congress based on Florida’s growth in population. Since 2000, Florida’s population is estimated to have grown by an additional 3.5 million people. However, an accurate count of every person during the 2010 Census could possibly result in Florida’s gain of additional representation in Congress. Community leaders need census data to properly plan for the construction of schools for our children and senior centers for our parents, the expansion of our roads, and the location of facilities such as job training centers.