You’ve probably heard or seen something on radio or TV about Census 2010 – about a complete count, about the new short form, about confidentiality.
What is the Census? Since 1790, the U.S. Census Bureau has conducted a constitutionally mandated population count or census each decade to determine the number of people living within the United States and our territories.
They are used by our leaders to make vital decisions like reapportionment and redistricting.
Census data also affect how more than $300 billion in federal funds are distributed to tribal, state, and local governments each year.
The 2010 Census will be easier than the 2000 Census. It’s got just 10 easy questions. By March of 2010, everyone should have received their questions. All you have to do is fill out the brief form and mail it back.
Are Census data confidential? Absolutely. Your answers are protected by law. No court of law, not even the President of the United States, can access your individual data.
What’s in it for you? In Idaho, each completed and mailed-in census survey is worth roughly $1,400.00. That is, the federal government uses population data to allocate funds in a number of areas such as Title 1 grants to school districts, Head Start programs, public transportation, programs for the elderly, emergency food and shelter, and many other programs.
Census data also help potential homeowners to research property values, median income, and other demographic information about communities of interest. In addition, population data is used by corporations for market research to determine locations for commercial enterprises.
For more information about the 2010 Census, please contact Victoria Bruno at 769-2204.
And remember – stand up and be counted!
