We Can't Move Forward Until You Mail It Back

During each Decennial Census, the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes the count of every resident in the United States as required by the Constitution.  The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year.  The data collected by the census also help determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.  And people from many walks of life use census data to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more.

In March of 2010, census forms were delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. The 2010 Census aims to count all U.S. residents—citizens and non-citizens alike.  The Census requires that you fill in the form to account for everyone living at your address as of April 1, 2010. 

The Census Bureau is urging everyone to take 10 minutes to fill out their census forms. After receiving your census form, just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. Mailing back the forms save taxpayers money, as it reduces the number of census takers that must go door-to-door to follow up with households that failed to do so.

The Census Bureau protects the confidentiality of your information.  It is against the law to disclose or publish name, address, social security numbers or phone numbers.  All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.

The Census Bureau uses your information to produce statistics. Your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. 

For more information visit the Census 2010 website