What is the Census?
When we all answer the Census, our needs are heard.
The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years.
The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like:
 | Hospitals |
| Job training centers |
| Schools |
| Senior centers |
| Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects |
| Emergency services |
The data collected by the census also help determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. When you receive yours, just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you don't mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask you the questions from the form.
Every question we ask is for a specific reason, to ensure response accuracy or to determine seats in Congress.
NOTE: YOU CANNOT FILL OUT THE FORM ONLINE.
Now less is more. Because of changes to the process and the introduction of the American Community Survey, the 2010 Census form is shorter, making it even easier to fill in and send back. Explore the form and the questions we ask.
The 2010 Census form is just 10 questions, such as:
| Name |
| Sex |
| Age |
| Date of birth |
| Hispanic origin |
| Race |
| Household relationship |
| If you own or rent |
The census DOES NOT ask about the legal status of respondents or their Social Security numbers.
The mailing package from the Census Bureau consists of:
| The 10-question form |
| A postage-paid envelope |
In areas served by the United States Postal Service, postal workers will deliver the initial mailing in mid-March 2010. In all other areas, census takers will deliver the form packages between March 1 and April 30, 2010.
Once you get your form in the mail, fill it in and mail it back in the postage-paid envelope provided.
The Census Bureau does not send out any confirmations that your form was received.
Any request for census information from the Census Bureau will be clearly identified as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States. It is a federal offense for anyone to pretend they represent the Census Bureau. Before your household receives a mailed form, a phone call or a visit from the Census Bureau, you will be given a few days notice with a letter from the Census Bureau Director.
Here are
some tips to help you recognize fraudulent activity or unofficial data
collections.
If you are contacted for any of the following reasons
Do Not Participate. It is
NOT the U.S. Census Bureau.
Phishing:
'Phishing' is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, social security numbers, bank account or credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing is typically carried out by email and it often directs users to enter sensitive information at a fake web site whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one.
Other Scams:
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| The Census
Bureau does NOT conduct the 2010 Census via the Internet
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| The Census Bureau
does not send emails about participating in the 2010 Census
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| The Census Bureau
never:
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How to report scams and bogus Census web sites:
If you believe you have been contacted as part of bogus or fraudulent activity falsely representing the Census Bureau:
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| In Person Scam
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| Email Scams
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| Mail Scams | ||||||||
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| Contact the United States Postal Inspection Service |
Census Jobs Available!
Good pay, flexible hours, work close to home, paid training, temporary and
part-time jobs. Salary $13.50 - $20.25 per hour, Clerical and Field
Positions Available. Call 1-866-861-2010. More information is
available at www.2010censusjobs.gov.