Census 2010 - Be Counted!

If you are one of the 48 million Americans who haven't already completed and submitted your 2010 Census form, you may be the lucky recipient of a visit from one of your neighbors.

From April to July 2010, temporary workers hired by the Census Bureau are going door to door to make sure everyone gets counted, and that the count is accurate. Being counted in the Census is NOT optional. Under the Constitution of the United States of America, a census must be taken every ten years.

The primary reason for the census is to determine each state's number of representatives in the House of Representatives, and the districting of those states. In addition, over $400 Billion of federal funding is allocated based on the results of the census, in particular questions related to age, sex and national heritage. Spending on hospitals, streets and bridges, schools, senior citizen centers and emergency facilities can be affected. Academics, government policy makers and others use this information to develop policies, identify areas needing special attention, monitor compliance with laws such as the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act, and conduct marketing research. Ensuring that you and your neighbors are accurately counted is not only the law, it's a really good idea!

The Census Bureau provides each of the temporary workers with the addresses of homes that have not submitted a Census Form. If you get a visit, make sure that you see the person's ID Badge, with a Department of Commerce watermark and the name and phone number of his or her supervisor. The workers will visit each location up to three times, and may also follow-up with up to three phone calls. Homes in which no one is home will receive a double-sided Notice of Visit with a phone number the resident can call. Workers are required to ask only the questions on the form and obtain the answers. Nothing else.

The questions on the form are generally simple. You are asked how many people reside at your home, if you own or rent your home, who lives there, the names of residents and their national heritage.

If you are concerned about your personal information being broadcast to everyone around you, rest assured that your information is protected. Each worker is required to swear under oath to keep all information obtained confidential or face serious fines or imprisonment.

For more information, including a Census form you can download and submit to the Census Bureau, go to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/index.php.