Final answer:
A census to determine the population of each state and area in the United States is conducted every ten years, which is essential for the allocation of federal resources and legislative representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the population of each state and area, a census is conducted every ten years. This process, which is critical for representing the population in the House of Representatives and allocating federal resources, last took place in 2010 and will occur again in 2020, 2030, and so on. In addition to the decennial population count, the Census Bureau also performs other surveys that impact economic indicators and the assessment of housing needs. One such survey, the Current Population Survey (CPS), is conducted monthly and contributes to the monthly unemployment rate announced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.