States including Texas, Florida, Colorado and Oregon are projected to gain seats after the 2020 numbers are in. Lawmakers also use census data to draw congressional district boundaries within states, an often-controversial process that can help decide partisan control of the House. Census data also underpin state legislative districts and local boundaries like City Councils and school boards. Handing out federal and state dollarsThe federal government bases a large amount of its spending decisions on census data. Highway spending is also apportioned according to census data.

Source: New York Times March 27, 2018 18:33 UTC