The Success of the 2010 Census is in Our Hands

Census Day is April 1, 2010.

The U.S. Census Bureau is mandated by the U.S Constitution to take a population census every 10 years. Since 1790, the decennial census has taken place every 10 years up to now. It's an every 10 year snapshot of America. Census questionnaire forms will be delivered or mailed to households in March 2010. The census counts every person living in the United States, citizens and non-citizens alike. The count is conducted mostly through questionnaires mailed to each home and household in America. In some areas, Census Bureau employees will canvas home to home to collect the census information. Households that do not respond may receive a replacement form in early April 2010. Census workers will visit households that do not return questionnaire forms to take a count in person. There are 10 questions to fill out and the return is postage free. The information collected is your name, address, race, ethnicity, number of people currently living in the home, their relationship to the householder, and whether you rent or own the home. Your answers are protected by the U.S. Constitution. No government agency or court of law can gain access to your information.

Federal and State money and services will flow into Larimer County, its cities, towns and communities based on the results of the Census. It's very important to get an accurate and complete response and count. Each year the federal government allocates $400 billion dollars to states and communities based on information obtained from the census such as, schools, libraries, road improvements, mass transit, parks and recreation facilities, health services, etc. Voting districts and federal government representation are also impacted.

As a safety precaution, should a Census Bureau worker show up at your door, they should provide identification, an official badge, a hand held data collection device, a Census Bureau Canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and badge before answering their questions. You should never invite anyone you don't know into your home. Be cooperative, but cautious. The important information this worker will need is address verification and number of people currently living in the household. Do not give your social security number, credit card, banking or any financial information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. The Census will absolutely not be done over the phone or through email.