Notifications
Look For Your Census Form in Mid-March
We Can't Move Forward 'Til You Mail It Back
EASY Every residence will receive a short
questionnaire that is simple and fast to complete and
return.
SAFE By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an
individual’s answers with anyone including federal, state
and local agencies.
IMPORTANT Over $300 billion in federal funds
awarded to states and communities for new hospitals,
schools, better transportation and social services.
List of Local Census Offices
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
1790 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 U.S. Census Bureau must submit state population
totals to the President of the United States by December 31,
2010.
- 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.
Will the 2010 Census be the same as 2000?
No, there are
some important changes:
- 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.
For more information:
Call
212-584-3400 or 215-717-1800
New Jersey State Data Center:
609-984-2216
www.census.gov/2010census