What is the main factor determining how many Representatives a state has?

The number of Representatives a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives is primarily determined by the state's population. This allocation of Representatives is based on the principle of proportional representation, which ensures that states with larger populations have more representatives to reflect the number of people they serve. The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census be conducted every ten years to assess the population of each state, and the results of this census directly influence the distribution of seats in the House.

Geographical size, economic factors, and historical context do not play a direct role in determining the number of Representatives. While a state's size may impact its resources and logistics, it does not correlate with the number of people who live there. Similarly, economic strength and historical factors might affect a state's influence or power, but they do not influence the representation in Congress. Thus, population is the key factor driving the representation of states in the House of Representatives.