The U.S. Census gathers population and demographic data from every person living in every community in the country. This information will help determine how more than $800 billion in federal funding will be distributed annually to states and communities for the next 10 years, as well as elected representation in government.

Children under age 5 is the largest age group of undercounted people in the United States. And unlike other age groups, the undercount of young children grew between the 2000 Census and 2010 Census. An undercount in 2020 could affect how much support programs that serve families and their young children receive, such as schools, child care and early learning, health insurance, hospitals, and food assistance.