It only comes once a decade so make it count! The U.S. Census, conducted once every ten years, serves as the primary lens to understand our population. An important part of the U.S. Census is to determine and distribute federal funds to state and local government of roughly $400 billion a year– or $4 trillion over a ten-year period. Census experts estimate that for every person not counted in 2010, a local government could lose $12,000 during the next ten years in federal funding alone. Therefore, communities of low-to moderate- income households can be severely impacted by the Census results. The 2010 Census is one of the shortest forms in history - 10 Questions in 10 Minutes >>READ MORE
If you don't send back your form
Not sending your form will result in a visit form a census taker. If a census taker visits you, here's what you should do:
- First ask to see their ID. All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name; they may also have a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag
- Note that the census taker will never ask to enter your home
- If you're still not certain about their identity, please call the Regional Census Center's to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau
- Answer the census form questions for your entire household (you must be at least 15 years old to answer questions) so that the census taker can record the results for submission to the Census Bureau
Census takers visit local homes several times to capture resident information for the 2010 Census. If you prefer, you can schedule a visit with your census taker. Should the census taker come when you are away from your home, they will leave a contact number. If a census taker has not visited your home or you have a question about your participation with the census, call your Census office.
Help for non-English speaking respondents
Census takers will have a flashcard containing a sentence about the 2010 Census written in approximately 50 languages. If a resident doesn't speak English, the census taker shows the flashcard to the resident, and the resident points to the language he/she speaks. A census crew Leader will then reassign the case to a person who speaks that language. >>READ MORE
WAYS YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN HELP
Getting involved in the census is not only easy but important for all Long Island organizations. Census forms will be mailed out to all households in March 2010. Your agency can engage and help ensure a robust response on many levels. A complete count secures the appropriate amount of federal funding for your community and political representation for the next ten years. >>READ MORE
OUTREACH MATERIALS:
HWCLI Outreach Flyer
How People Are Counted
How People Are Counted SPANISH
Confidentiality
Confidentiality SPANISH
10 Questions 10 Minutes
Census SCHOOL Partner
CENSUS GLOSSARY OF TERMS