Facts about the 2010 Census

• More than 130 million addresses across the nation will receive a census form in March 2010 either by U.S. mail or hand delivery.

• April 1, 2010, is Census Day, the official day of the population count. Responses to the census form should include everyone who will be living at that address as of that day. (It is not necessary to wait until Census Day to return the census form, however. Forms should be returned as quickly as possible.) People should be counted where they live or sleep most of time.

• Everyone must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races and ethnic groups; citizens and non-citizens.

• The 2010 Census language assistance program will help non English-speakers fill out and mail back their census form.

• For the first time in its history, the Census Bureau will mail about 13 million bilingual forms in English and Spanish to households in areas with high concentrations of Spanish-only speakers.

• Forms will be available upon request in five languages in addition to English: Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Vietnamese and Russian.

• Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) will be available to assist those unable to read or understand the census form, and a Language Assistance Guide also will be available in 59 languages at all QAC locations. All Language Assistance Guides will be available to download or print at 2010census.gov.

• For those with visual impairments, the Language Assistance Guide will be available in large print and Braille. Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons who do not have access to Video Relay Service (VRS) can call the TDD number, 1-866-783-2010.

• Those who feel they may not have been counted can visit any one of 40,000 “Be Counted” sites or Questionnaire Assistance Centers. The Census Bureau established these locations as a resource for people who need help filling out a form and to ensure they are counted only once and in the right place.

• Completing and mailing back a form is the easiest and most efficient method of participating in the 2010 Census.

• Through the “Take 10” initiative, the Census Bureau and its partners ask people to “take 10 minutes” to complete and return their form by mail in an effort to surpass the Census 2000 mail participation rate of 72 percent, which was the national rate as of the April 2000 cut-off.

• About $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation.

• The Census Bureau saves $60-$70 per census form that is returned by mail.

• The Census Bureau uses a “multiple contact” mailing strategy to improve the mail participation rate.

• Studies have shown that sending advance notice of the arrival of the form will increase the mail participation rate. Most households who don’t respond will also receive a replacement form.

• During peak recruiting for 2010 field operations, nearly 500 Local Census Offices will hire more than 1.2 million people to conduct all remaining 2010 Census field operations.

• It is estimated that census workers will have to visit about 47 million homes during Nonresponse Follow-up (NRFU) operations; the process by which census workers visit addresses that did not return a census form in order to take the count in person.

• During NRFU, census workers will make up to six attempts to obtain data from households that do not respond by mail.

• Census workers will visit service-based locations, such as soup kitchens and shelters, to take a count of more transient populations in person.

• Census workers will re-visit every address that was previously classified as vacant or as non-existent to ensure that classification was correct. If the address is occupied on the return visit, census workers will take the count in person.

• From March 22 through May 3, 2010, daily mail participation rate data will be available at 2010census.gov in the form of maps and tables.

• You can view the Web-based maps in nine different levels of detail: national, state, county, city, consolidated city, municipality, congressional district, minor civil division and collection tract.

“Take 10” and Help Morgan County Get What it Needs for the Next 10 Years

In March 2010, more than 130 million addresses will receive a 2010 Census form by mail or hand delivery. The 2010 Census will document the changes in our nation since the last decennial census in 2000, and tell us how we’ve evolved as a country. Because census data affect how more than $400 billion in federal funding is distributed to tribal, state and local governments, the census also will frame the future of our country and our community for the next 10 years.

During Census 2000, the mail participation rate was 72 percent as of the April 2000 cut-off. About $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation. For these and many other reasons, we must work to encourage everyone’s participation in the census.

Here’s what you should know about the 2010 Census:

It’s easy. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. The individual in whose name the housing unit is rented or owned should complete the form on behalf of every person living there, both relatives and non-relatives.

It’s important. Census data are used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments. Information from the census helps determine locations for child-care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers.

It’s safe. By law, the U.S. 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.

Finally, the most efficient way to respond to the 2010 Census is to complete the form as soon as it arrives and return it in the postage-paid return envelope. Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take the count in person.

The Morgan County Complete Count Committee are issuing a challenge to the residents of Morgan County to increase the mail participation rate and help ensure a complete and accurate count in 2010.

For more information about the 2010 Census, visit 2010census.gov.

• Completing and mailing back a form is the easiest and most efficient method of participating in the 2010 Census.

• One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

• The Census Bureau has challenged everyone in the United States to top the Census 2000 mail participation rate of 72 percent, which was the national rate as of the April 2000 cut-off.

• High mail participation rates reduce the number of census workers who must go door-to-door to collect census data.

• Mailing back your form is important because about $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation.

• Additionally, the Census Bureau saves $60-$70 per census form returned by mail.

• Filling out your form and mailing it back will help ensure a more accurate count.

• Participation is easy, important and safe.