WHY DO WE TAKE THE CENSUS?
• The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2) mandates a headcount every 10 years, of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens, and noncitizens. The first census was conducted in 790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then.
• The next census occurs in 2010. The population totals from this census will determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. States also use the totals to redraw their legislative districts.
• The totals also affect funding in your community, and data collected in the census help inform decision makers how your community is changing. Approximately $300 billion in federal funding is distributed to communities each year.
• The U.S. Census Bureau must submit state population totals to the President of the United States by
December 3 , 2010.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT IN 2010?
• 2010 Census will be short form only—just 10 easy questions.
• The long form is now part of the annual American Community Survey.
• Handheld computers with Global Positioning System will be used to check our address list in 2009.
HOW ARE CENSUS DATE USED?
Determining congressional seats and federal funding is just a hint of the many important uses of census data. Take a look at examples below and refer to the appendix for even more uses of census data. (See Appendix A: 50 Ways Census Data Are Used.)
The federal government uses population data to allocate funds in a number of areas:
• Title grants to educational agencies (school districts across the nation)
• Head Start programs
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (food grants)
• Public transportation
• Road rehabilitation and construction
• Programs for the elderly
• Emergency food and shelter
• Empowerment zones
• and many many more ways!
April 1, 2010 is Census Day Send your questionaire back!
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