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3rd April 1881: A census form reproduced as a table mat. The columns are illustrated with figures of people in various stages of life. Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

The data collected by the census is used to determine things like how many representatives a state gets in Congress or how much money a state gets in federal funds. But another important part of the census is collecting demographic information about the population.

Over the years, the census has asked questions about race, sex, education, housing, occupation, military service, and marriage status.

The question about United States citizenship has also appeared on the census throughout the years.

Here’s a look at where the question has been asked in the past:

1820-1950: Every household got a question about citizenship.
1960- 2000: A citizenship question was asked to about one-fourth to one-sixth of the population in an effort to simplify the process. During these years the census had two versions. The short-term questionnaire asked a few basic demographic questions to most of the population and the long-term questionnaire asked a sample of the population a more detailed set — including a question about citizenship.

It’s important to note here that the Census Bureau said they decided to move the question because “general census information on citizenship had become less importance compared to other possible questions to be included on the census” because there was a requirement for annual alien registration that collected that information. The requirement was repealed in 1981.

2010: A new format asked all households the same questions about sex, age, race, Hispanic origin and living arrangements. The detailed questions previously asked on the long-form questionnaire — including a question about citizenship — were sent to a very small, rotating sample of households (only about 2.6%) in the American Community Survey, not the census.
March 2018: Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced he wanted to ask a question about citizenship to everyone.

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