How many representatives are there in the House of Representatives?

The House of Representatives consists of 435 members, a number that has been set since the Apportionment Act of 1911 and remains in effect today. Each state is allocated a certain number of representatives based on its population, which is determined by the decennial census. This structure ensures that representation in the House reflects the demographic makeup of the country, giving more populous states more representatives, while smaller states have at least one representative.

The total of 435 is critical for maintaining a balance of representation and ensuring that legislative processes can operate efficiently. Having this fixed number allows for predictable functioning of the House, including committee assignments and voting procedures. Understanding the size of the House is fundamental to grasping how legislative power is distributed among states and the importance of the representatives in the lawmaking process.