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| http://2010.census.gov/2010census/ | ||
- What is the Census?
- How Does the Census Count America?
- How it Affects the Nation
- How it Benefits our Community
- About the Census Form
- Census 2010 Timeline
What is the Census?
When we all answer the Census, our needs are heard
The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and
is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years.
The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion
in federal funds each year for things like:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Senior centers
- Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
- Emergency services
The data collected by the census also help determine the number
of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.
We can't move forward until you mail it back.
In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence
in the United States and Puerto Rico. When you receive yours, just
answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the
postage-paid envelope provided. If you don't mail the form back, you
may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask you the
questions from the form.
The majority of the country will receive English–only materials.
Households in areas with high concentrations of Spanish-speaking
residents may receive a bilingual (English/Spanish) form.
Any personal data you provide is
protected under federal law.
How Does The Census Count America?
The census numbers tell us who we are and what we need.
Before we begin a new chapter in American history, we need to
understand who we are right now.
The 2010 Census aims to count all U.S. residents—citizens and
non-citizens alike.
To do so, the Census Bureau:
- Delivers a short 10-question form to every household in America
- Requires that you fill in the form to account for everyone living at your address as of April 1, 2010
- Includes a prepaid envelope with the form so you can mail it back as soon as possible
Explore the form and the questions
the Census Will ask
A census taker must follow-up in person with every address that
doesn't mail back the form in order to obtain the responses.
How It Affects the Nation
We Can't Move Forward Until You Mail It Back
That's why it's so important that you fill in the form and
promptly mail it back. Census information affects the numbers of
seats your state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. And
people from many walks of life use census data to advocate for
causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets,
locate pools of skilled workers and more.
When you do the math, it's easy to see what an accurate count of
residents can do for your community. Better infrastructure. More
services. A brighter tomorrow for everyone. In fact, the information
the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion
dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and
services like:
- Hospitals
- Job training centers
- Schools
- Senior centers
- Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
- Emergency services
Participation isn't just important—it's mandatory.
How It Benefits Your Community
The 2010 Census is your community's voice in government.
When you fill out the census form, you’re making a statement
about what resources your community needs going forward.
Accurate data reflecting changes in your community are crucial in
apportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and deciding
how more than $400 billion per year is allocated for projects like
new hospitals and schools.
That's more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period for things like
new roads and schools, and services like job training centers.
About the Census Form
10 questions. 10 minutes. Discover how we collect the data that matters.
Click to download the sample form that will be mailed.
Every question we ask is for a specific reason, to ensure
response accuracy or to determine seats in Congress.
NOTE: YOU CANNOT FILL OUT THE FORM ONLINE.
The 2010 Census form is just 10 questions, such as:
- Name
- Sex
- Age
- Date of birth
- Hispanic origin
- Race
- Household relationship
- If you own or rent
The census DOES NOT ask about the
legal status of respondents or their Social Security numbers.
The mailing package from the Census Bureau consists of:
- The 10-question form
- A postage-paid envelope, Front | Back
In areas served by the United States Postal Service, postal
workers will deliver the initial mailing in mid-March 2010. In all
other areas, census takers will deliver the form packages between
March 1 and April 30, 2010.
Once you get your form in the mail, fill it in and mail it back in
the postage-paid envelope provided.
The Census Bureau does not send out any confirmations that your form
was received.
Any request for census information from the Census Bureau will be
clearly identified as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as
OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States. It is a federal offense for
anyone to pretend they represent the Census Bureau. Before your
household receives a mailed form, a phone call or a visit from the
Census Bureau, you will be given a few days notice with a letter
from the Census Bureau Director.
CENSUS 2010 Timeline
- March 2010: Census questionnaires are mailed to all addresses.
- April 1, 2010: Census Day
- April - July 2010: Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
- December 2010: Census Bureau delivers population counts to President for apportionment.
- March 2011: Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.
For more information please visit the United States Census web site.