The countdown to the 2010 Census has begun, and the U.S. Census Bureau is looking to national, tribal, state and local officials and community leaders to ensure an accurate count. With Census Day in less than a year — April 1, 2010 — the Census Bureau has already launched a critical national effort that affects the apportionment of congressional seats, and how the federal government annually allocates $300 billion in federal assistance to state, local and tribal governments (U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, 2009). .
What is the Census?
The 2010 Census will have one of the shortest census questionnaires in the history of the United States, dating back to the nation’s first census in 1790. The 2010 Census will ask for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship and whether the householder owns or rents their home. The census form will take only about 10 minutes on average to complete, and answers are protected by law and strictly confidential.
Why fill out the census form?
Filling out your form is fast and easy. Ask a friend.
Every household in the country will receive a questionnaire in 2010. To ensure an accurate and fair count of all populations at all geographic levels, the Census Bureau needs you or someone in your household to respond to the census questionnaire.
- It’s important. – Census data affect funding for your community, your community’s representation in Congress and your community leader’s planning decisions.
- It’s easy. – The census questionnaire takes only a few minutes to answer and return by mail.
- It’s confidential. – Your responses are protected by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9). All Census Bureau employees have taken an oath to protect confidentiality and are subject to a jail term, a fine – or both – for disclosing any information that could identify a respondent or household.
- It’s required by law. – The information you provide is combined with responses provided by your neighbors and other households across the country, to provide summary statistical data that are used by various local, state and federal agencies.
Why is it Important?
It’s important for their futures.
- Census affects funding in your community
Census data directly affect how more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. That's more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few minutes to fill out your census form will help ensure your community gets its fair share of federal and state funding.
- Census affects your voice in Congress
Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redistrict state legislatures. More information about the 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program. . .
- Census affects your representation in state and local government
Census data are used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government. The census totals are used to determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition, states use the numbers to allocate seats in their state legislatures.
- Census informs your community's decisions
The census is like a snapshot that helps define who we are as a nation. Data about changes in your community are crucial to many planning decisions, such as where to provide services for the elderly, where to build new roads and schools, or where to locate job training centers. Community organizations use census information to develop social service programs, community action projects, senior lunch programs and child-care centers. The numbers help businesses identify where to locate factories, shopping centers, movie theaters, banks and offices — activities that often lead to new jobs.
Community Participation is Key
“Many hands make light work”. John Heywood
“The participation of community leaders, organizations and local governments can help make the 2010 Census the most accurate census in our nation’s history,” said Tom Mesenbourg, acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 11,000 state, local and tribal governments have registered for the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program to update the Census Bureau’s address information for their communities. Communities also can begin planning for Complete Count Committees, a team of local government, business and community leaders, who are appointed by a governor for a statewide committee or by a community’s highest-elected official for a local committee. Members of the committees work to make sure their communities are counted. During Census 2000, more than 11,800 Complete Count Committees were formed to help develop and implement locally based outreach and recruitment campaigns.
Fontana’s on the Right Path
The City of Fontana is putting together a 2010 Complete Count Committee comprised of leaders in the community that have the ability to communicate the importance of participation in the 2010 Census to the residents and various groups in Fontana. If you would like more information on the City of Fontana’s efforts, contact Cheryl Cabaruvias, 2010 Complete Count Committee Chairperson at (909) 350-6559 or .
For more information on the 2010 Census and how you can participate in your community to support this effort, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/.
