Get Ready for the 2010 Census

Welcome to 2010, everyone!  Here’s to a great new year!

One of the first things that is going to happen this year is the 2010 Census organized by the US Census Bureau. The Census is taken every ten years.  The data from the Census will represent your community for the next ten years until the next count.  Census data is used to help decide the number of seats a state will have in Congress; to help pick locations for businesses or community centers and to make sure updated numbers are given to community programs.

During February & March, households will be receiving by mail the a long or short Census form.  One out of 6 households will be asked to fill out the long form which asks for more details-including questions related to people with disabilities. Questions everyone will be asked include:  Age; Household relationship; Race; Sex; Tenure (whether your home is owned or  rented).

The Census Bureau will not share the information you give that would identify you or people in your household to anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies.

Important dates to be aware of during the Census include:

• February- March, 2010: Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered.
• April 1, 2010: Census Day (forms are to be returned to the Census Bureau)
• April-July, 2010: households that did not return a questionnaire by mail are visited.
• December, 2010: Census Bureau delivers counts to the President.
• March, 2011:  Census Bureau completes delivery of data to states.