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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, Job Training Centers, Schools,  Senior Centers,  Bridges, tunnels, and other-public works projects and Emergency Services.

The data collected by the census also helps 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.
What is a Census Taker?

Open the door to a census taker and open doors for your community.

By being counted you are standing up for what your community's needs are.  That's why census takers are so important.  A census taker from your community who is hired by the Censu Bureau to make sure that your neighborhood gets represented accurately as possible.  The census taker's primary responsibility is to collect information from residences that have not sent back their 2010 Census form.  The Census Bureau provides the census taker with a binder containing al lof the addresses that didn't send back a filled out census form.  The census taker then visits all of those addresses and records the answers to the questions on the form.  If no one answers at a particular residence, a census taker will visit that home up to three times, each time leaving a door hanger featuring a phone number; residents can call the number on the hanger to schedule the visit.  The census taker will ONLY ask the questions that appear on the census form.

Do I have to talk to the census taker?

Yes.  Your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law.  However, rather than rely on criminal charges, the Census Bureau is very successful in getting participation by explaining the importance of the questions we ask and how the information benefits our communities.  Your privacy and confidentiality is our priority.  The census taker who collects your information is sworn for life to protect your data under Federal Law Title 13.  Those who violate the oath face criminal penalities:  Under federal law, the penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine up to $250,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.