The 2010 Census: Vital to Your Future

In March 2010, more than 130 million addresses across the nation will receive a census form. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes only 10 minutes to complete. Completing your census form is easy, important and safe. Your participation is essential to ensuring a brighter tomorrow for our community.

By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

Required once every 10 years by the U.S. Constitution, the census counts everyone living in the United States, both citizens and noncitizens. Census data are used to reapportion the U.S. House of Representatives, re-district each state and determine the distribution of the Electoral College. Census data also directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments. Census data are critical in determining locations for new hospitals, improving schools, building new roads, expanding public transportation options, creating new maps for emergency responders and much more.

By participating in the census, you can help create a better future for you and those important to you. Complete and return your form when it arrives. To learn more, visit 2010census.gov.

Questionnaire Assistance Center/Be Counted Site

The Council Office and Clerk’s Office in the Municipal Building located at 475 DeMott Lane have been designated as a Census Questionnaire Assistance Center/Be Counted Site from February 26, 2010 through April 19, 2010.  The purpose of the Questionnaire Assistance Center is to provide assistance to individuals who:

• Do not understand how to complete the Questionnaire they received.
• Need language assistance to respond to Questionnaire information.
• Need assistance in completing Questionnaires due to factors such as low literacy skills, or physical challenges.
• Need Questionnaire because they did not receive one, or think they were not included on their household Questionnaire.

The hours of the Questionnaire Assistance Center are as follows: 

• Friday, February 26, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Council Office)
• March1 to April 19 – Mondays & Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Council Office)
• March1 to April 19 – Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Clerk’s Office)

2010 Census Timeline:  Key Dates

Feb-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.