The Importance of the Census and How it Will Work in 2020
Former U.S. Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson discussed the importance of the decennial census to the functioning of the government. He also talked about how the census has worked in the past and how it is is using technology to streamline the process for the 2020 census.
Description
Former U.S. Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson discussed the importance of the decennial census to the functioning of the government. He also talked about how the census has worked in the past and how it is is using technology to streamline the process for the 2020 census.
Bell Ringer Assignment
- How does the census impact the following: redistricting, allocation of government funds, business investment and data collection.
- Why is undercounting during the census a problem?
- Explain the process that occurred during previous censuses?
- What are the three innovations that will occur in the 2020 census?
Additional Resource
- On This Day: The First US Census
As required by Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution, the United States held its first census in 1790. The Census of 1790 recorded the population of the entire United States as of August 2, 1790, and it has been taken every ten years since this date. This first census documented the population to be 3,929,214.
Participants
Vocabulary
- Allocation
- Apportionment
- Census
- Census Bureau
- Data
- Geospatial
- Investment
- Redistricting
- Self-respond