What is the Census?
•The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years.
•The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.
•The next census is in 2010.
•Your participation in the census is required by law.
•It takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
•Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census.
•Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.
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.
The 2010 Census will create hundreds of thousands of temporary jobs across the nation
It’s in Our Hands: Your 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.
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 Questionnaire: Simple and Safe
The 2010 Census questionnaire asks only a few simple questions of each person—name, relationship, gender, age and date of birth, race, and whether the respondent owns or rents his or her home. This simple, short questionnaire takes just a few minutes to complete and return by mail.
The Census Bureau does not release or share information that identifies individual respondents or their household for 72 years.
Why should everyone participate in the 2010 Census?
Census data shape the future of your community and define your voice in Congress.
Census information helps determine locations for schools, roads, hospitals, child-care and senior citizen centers, and more.
Businesses use census data to locate supermarkets, shopping centers, new housing and other facilities.
The census determines how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the boundaries of legislative districts.
How will the 2010 Census differ from previous census efforts?
In the last census, one in six households received a long questionnaire asking for detailed socioeconomic information. In 2010, every residence will receive a short questionnaire that is simple and fast to complete and return. More detailed information will be collected annually from a small percentage of the population through the American Community Survey.
Will the information the Census Bureau collects remain confidential?
Yes. Every Census Bureau worker takes an oath for life to protect the confidentiality of census responses. Violation would result in a jail term of up to five years and/or fine of up to $250,000. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s answers with anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies.
Why are partners so important to the 2010 Census campaign?
More than 140,000 organizations supported Census 2000, including state and local governments, community- and faith-based organizations, schools, media, businesses and others. The Census Bureau relies on partners to help explain the importance of completing the 2010 Census message to people in every corner of the United States. This is particularly important in areas isolated by language or geography. By joining forces with partners, the Census Bureau has a far greater chance to reach every U.S. resident than by attempting this monumental task alone.
2010 Census Timeline: Key Dates
Fall 2008 - Recruitment begins for local census jobs for early census operations.
Spring 2009 - Census employees go door-to-door to update address list nationwide.
Fall 2009 - Recruitment begins for census takers needed for peak workload in 2010.
February – March 2010 - Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.
April 1, 2010 - Census Day
April – July 2010 - Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
December 2010 - By law, Census Bureau delivers population counts to President for apportionment.
March 2011 - By law, Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.
For more information about the 2010 Census, please go to www.census.gov/2010census
Sample Census 2010 Form
Sample Census 2010 Form (Bilingual Spanish)
City of Pasco Census 2010 Resolution
TV Spot 1
TV Spot 2
2010 Complete Count Committee Guide
