In the September issue of Trends the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development looked at the upcoming US census. Every 10 years, the US federal government conducts a census which determines the number of representatives each state is allotted in the US House of Representatives. While Alaska is unlikely to gain a representative in the House, the state legislative districts are also being redrawn according to the 2020 census.
The US census is the only comprehensive count for people across the country and is the way that state account for population data. The census count allows states to learn significant details about its population. Data includes workforce and employment data, health statistics, education statistics, crime data, transportation plans, and housing data.
Census data also guides federal dollars for Medicaid, highway planning and construction, supplemental nutrition assistance, and the national school lunch program. Alaska also relies on the census for information on how to distribute funds for community assistance and matching funds, business licensing, health facility allocations, Power Cost Equalization, rural designations, and transportation plans.
Each census is extremely important for national, state and local politics. Preparations for the 2020 census are starting to come together. To receive email updates about the 2020 Census visit the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Comments