In March, 2010, every household will receive the easiest and shortest Census questionnaire ever. Ten questions will take about ten minutes to complete and return.

This event comes only once, every ten years. The U.S. Census counts everyone residing in the United States, as required by the U.S. Constitution.

Completing the Census is a duty that provides Idaho seats in the House of Representatives (which could increase) and funding for important community services. Planning and funding for roads, hospitals, seniors and schools all rely upon data from the Census.

Approximately $1,400 per person, per year, in federal dollars is allocated to Idaho based on census data. That means each person counted creates a larger ration of the $435 billion in federal funds for Idaho.

Individual answers are safe. By constitution and by law, no other government agencies or officials, not even the president, can access individual data. Every Census Bureau worker takes an oath for life to protect the confidentiality of Census responses.

For additional information on the U.S. Census, or for a link to local demographical information, see www.2010Census.gov. Governor Otter’s official proclamation supporting a complete Census count in Idaho is at http://gov.idaho.gov/proclamation/procs.cfm  

For an additional resource on how Census data are used see http://www.civilrights.org/census/your-community/funding.html

Stand up and Be Counted

www.2010census.gov