What You Need to Know about the 2010 Census

In 2010, the U.S. census will define who we are as a nation.  Taken every 10 years, the census affects political representatoin and directs the allocation of billions of dollars in government funding.  As a 2010 Census partner, you can educate your community about the importance of participating in this historic event and help ensure no one is left uncounted.  You can help your commmunity receive the fiscal and social benefits to which it is entitled.  Achieving a complete and accurate 2010 Centsus is in our hands.

The Census:  A Snapshot

• The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years;
• The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States:  in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.  This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens; and
• The 2010 Census will create hundreds of thousands of temporary jobs across the nation.

It's in Our Hands:  You Participation in the 2010 Census Matters

• Every year, more than $300 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on census data.  That's more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period;
• Census data guide local decision-makers in important community planning efforts, including where to build new roads, hospitals and schools; and
• Census data affect your voice in Congress by determining how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Completing the 2010 Census Questionaire:  Simple and Safe

• The 2010 Census, questionaire asks only a few simple questions of each person - name, relationship, gender, age and date of birth, and whether the respondent owns or rents his or her home.  This simple, short questionaire takes just a few minutes to complete and return by mail; and
• The Census Bureau does not release or share information that identifies individual respondents or their household for 72 years.

2010 Census frequently asked questions.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau.
View the Complete Count Committee Guide.
Find out about Census Jobs.
Learn how communities benefit from Census Bureau Data collection efforts.