Final answer:
The favored number of representatives based on population is determined by congressional apportionment, which uses Census data every ten years to allocate House seats, with a cap of 435 members established in 1929. This results in congressional districts each composed of roughly 700,000 citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of representatives allotted based on population in the United States is determined through a process known as congressional apportionment. This process uses a mathematical formula and U.S. Census Bureau data collected every ten years to allocate seats in the House of Representatives. Each state is guaranteed at least one seat, with additional seats apportioned according to population. In 1929, Congress established a permanent cap of 435 members in the House of Representatives, a number that is still in effect today. This ensures that as the population grows, the number of representatives does not continue to increase indefinitely, which could lead to an unwieldy legislative body.
However, this system has led to some challenges, such as larger congressional districts where representatives may have constituencies exceeding 700,000 citizens, making it difficult to maintain close connections with constituents. Additionally, the residents of Washington, D.C. and U.S. territories do not have voting representation in the House, although they are represented by a non-voting delegate.