<P> The Census Bureau 's primary mission is conducting the U.S. Census every ten years , which allocates the seats of the U.S. House of Representatives to the states based on their population . The Bureau 's various censuses and surveys help allocate over $400 billion in federal funds every year and it helps states , local communities , and businesses make informed decisions . The information provided by the census informs decisions on where to build and maintain schools , hospitals , transportation infrastructure , and police and fire departments . </P>
the population census every 10 years was instituted in order to
allocates the seats of the U.S. House of Representatives to the states based on their population