Final answer:
The U.S. Census is conducted once every ten years, with the most recent one occurring in 2020 and the next scheduled for 2030. It is essential for apportioning representation in Congress and distributing federal resources. The United States Census Bureau also conducts other important surveys relating to business and unemployment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. Census occurs once every ten years, which is a practice mandated by the U.S. Constitution to count the entire population of the country. This decennial census is used to apportion the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and to distribute federal resources to local communities. The most recent census took place in 2020, and the next one will be in 2030.
In addition to the population census, the United States Census Bureau conducts other surveys such as a business census every five years (in the second and seventh year of each decade) and a monthly survey of retail sales. These surveys help in adjusting economic figures and understanding consumer production. The bureau also plays a role in determining the monthly unemployment rate through the Current Population Survey (CPS).