Every household in the country will receive a census questionnaire in 2010. To ensure an accurate and fair count of all populations at all geographic levels in the nation, the Census Bureau needs you or someone in your household to respond to the census questionnaire. By completing your questionnaire you are providing data that will help your nation, your state and your community make major decisions over the next 10 years. Below are some of the most important decisions made throughout the United States directly based on Census data.
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. Click here for a list of federal grants which require Census data be used in determining where funding is distributed.
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.
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.
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.