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The decennial census is the only data gathering operation
in the United States that is mandated by the Constitution. The
first census was taken in 1790 and it occurs every 10 years,
in the years ending in "0". Its primary purpose is
to provide the population counts that determine how seats in
the U.S. House of Representatives are apportioned. Census
figures also are required to draw congressional and state
legislative district boundaries, to allocate federal and state
funds, to formulate public policy, and to assist with planning
and decision making in the private sector.
| 1790
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1910
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| 1800 |
1920 |
| 1810
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1930
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| 1820 |
1940 |
| 1830 |
1950 |
| 1840
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1960
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| 1850 |
1970 |
| 1860 |
1980 |
| 1870 |
1990 |
| 1880 |
2000 |
| 1890 |
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| 1900 |
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