What determines the number of House of Representatives members for each state?

The number of members in the House of Representatives for each state is determined by the population of that state. This is rooted in the principle established by the United States Constitution, specifically in Article I, which mandates that congressional representation must be based on the population, ensuring that states with larger populations have more representation in the House.

The decennial census, conducted every ten years, plays a critical role in this process by counting the population of each state. This population data is then used to allocate seats in the House of Representatives among the states. States with higher populations receive more representatives, while those with smaller populations have fewer.

Using the area's size, age demographics, or the number of registered voters would not be appropriate for determining representation because they do not directly reflect the number of individuals who should be represented in Congress. Each congressional seat is meant to represent a roughly equal number of constituents based on total population, making population the key factor.