Why do some states have more Representatives than others?

The number of Representatives that a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives is determined by its population. The process begins with the decennial census, which counts every person living in the United States. Following the census, congressional seats are apportioned among the states based on their populations relative to one another. States with larger populations end up receiving a greater number of representatives, while states with smaller populations receive fewer.

For instance, states like California and Texas, which have very large populations, are allocated a significant number of representatives, reflecting their larger share of the overall population of the country. States with smaller populations, such as Vermont or Wyoming, receive fewer representatives, but every state is guaranteed at least one representative. This system aims to ensure that the representation in Congress fairly reflects the population distribution across the country, which supports the principle of representative democracy. This method of apportionment fosters equitable representation relative to the number of constituents each Representative serves.