U.S. Apportionment Calculator
Introduction & Importance
U.S. apportionment is the process of dividing the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states based on their population. This calculator helps you understand and perform this process…
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the total U.S. population.
- Enter the number of districts (435).
- Click ‘Calculate’.
Formula & Methodology
The apportionment process uses the Hill-Huntington method, which involves dividing the total population by the number of districts to find the ideal district size, then rounding each state’s population to the nearest whole number…
Real-World Examples
Let’s explore three scenarios…
Data & Statistics
| State | Population | Districts |
|---|
| Year | Total Population | Districts |
|---|
Expert Tips
- Apportionment occurs every 10 years after the census.
- Each state is guaranteed at least one representative.
- States can gain or lose seats based on population changes.
Interactive FAQ
What happens if two states have the same population?
In such cases, the Hill-Huntington method uses a series of tiebreakers to determine which state gets the extra seat.
For more information, see the U.S. Census Bureau’s guide to apportionment and the Congressional Research Service’s explanation of apportionment.