United States "Census 2010" - Stand Up, Be Counted

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years to count the population and determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. The data also determines boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts.  You will receive your questionnaire in March 2010 either by mail or hand delivery.  Households should complete and mail back their questionnaires upon receipt. Households that do not respond may receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census takers will visit households that do not return questionnaires to take a count in person. All U.S. residents must be counted—both citizens and non citizens.

The census provides valuable information. Every year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on census data. Census data is used to determine locations for retail stores, schools, hospitals, new housing developments and other community facilities.