What is the Census?

The census, required by the U.S. Constitution, is the once-a-decade count of every person in the country. It is also the ongoing American Community Survey that collects more detailed information from a sample of the population about socio-economic issues, education, disability, health insurance, occupation, travel to work, marital status, demographics, and more.

Why Does the Census Matter?

An accurate count is essential for fair representation and building an inclusive, multi-racial democracy. Census data are used to apportion U.S. House of Representatives seats among the states, and for redistricting that shapes the political boundaries for Congress, state legislatures, school boards, and other districts. It is essential for the effective allocation of government and philanthropic funds. Census and ACS data inform the distribution of more than $2.2 trillion annually to states and localities for more than 370 federal programs.

Put another way, an accurate count is essential for improving the quality of life in America. Census and ACS data are the statistical foundation on which governmental, civil society, nonprofit, and business decisions are built, such as determining where schools, hospitals, emergency services, roads, and stores are located. The data are used to enforce civil rights, serve as the foundation for research, including ways nonprofits and philanthropy monitor progress on areas like educational attainment, health care access, public transportation, and economic mobility.

The stakes for a fair and accurate count couldn’t be higher.

The decennial census and ACS inform many decisions made within the public and private sectors. At times, decisionmakers are not even aware that these census data undergird their actions. Here are four examples highlighting ways census data are used:

Dollars

Census and ACS data shape the distribution of more than $2.2 trillion in federal funds to states for at least 370 federal programs. It also influences the distribution of state funding. A miscount results in unfair distribution of government funds.

Census data are used to shape congressional, state legislative, county, and local districts. This includes school, judicial and water districts as well as local voting precincts. An inaccurate count unfairly skews political representation.

Census and ACS data tell us who we are as a nation, describing population shifts. Census and ACS data are used regularly by funders and grantees to assess and address health needs, inequality, child & family issues, climate justice, education, and other community issues. An inaccurate count means research may also be inaccurate.

Census data are foundation for decision-making at all levels of government as well as within the private and nonprofit sectors. From determining service delivery needs to public safety decisions to enforcement of civil rights laws to economic development, census data are involved.

Why Get Involved Now?

Key decisions being made now about the 2030 Census and ACS will influence the fairness and accuracy of the count. For example: What questions will be asked on the surveys and how they will be asked, how the Census Bureau will approach outreach to those who are persistently undercounted, how the Census Bureau will mitigate the growing undercount of low-income, immigrant, and people of color households missed in the ACS, and whether the Census Bureau will have adequate resources to support planning and testing all of the above. It is essential to support the nonprofit infrastructure now—including census technical experts, national advocates, and state coalitions—to improve the ACS and plan for 2030. For organizations on the ground, census, redistricting and voting are all connected to building a more vibrant future. In that context, it is not only important to begin funding for census now, but to understand the interplay of these democracy building blocks.

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Why Fund Now?

There are two crucial strategic reasons to fund CFC projects in the years between and before the decennial counts:

  • First, we center undercounted communities now to support the building of trusted relationships and pathways so the Get Out the Count (GOTC) activities in 2029-30 are a natural and organic part of community activities and communications.
  • Second, the American Community Survey seeks insights every year and the surveys are critical for data-driven investments in communities. Funding now has the anticipated outcome or ROI of a more complete and accurate count of all people and communities.

CFC’s Work Spans the Decade