U.S. Census 2010

What is the U.S. Census?

The U.S. Census is a count conducted every ten years of everyone living in the United States. The Census covers everyone in all 50 states and the U.S. Territories and includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.

Why is it important?

The data collected by the Census determines how much money communities receive from the government. Every year, more than $300 billion dollars in federal funds are awarded to states and communities based on the head count from the Census. If the count is too low, your community could lose funding for schools, roads, hospitals and federal programs for the next ten years. Because census data is used to determine how many members of congress and other representatives each area should have, a low count would also give you less of a voice in how major decisions are made.

The information taken by the Census is absolutely confidential and your answers will not be shared with anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies.

How you can participate

The Census form has only ten questions and can be completed in a few minutes. From February – March 2010 census questionnaires will be sent out in the mail, and then between April and July households that did not mail in their answers will be visited in person by census workers. Everyone can help by spreading the word to their friends and family so that they will know why the Census is important and why they need to respond.

Thousands of temporary jobs

The U.S. Census will be hiring thousands of temporary census workers to collect and process census data. To learn more or apply, go to www.2010censusjobs.gov or call 1-866-861-2010.

More Resources:

• An example questionnaire with ten simple questions in both English and Spanish
• More information at www.census.gov