In 1790, the first census was taken by U.S. marshals on horseback and counted 3.9 million people. The population of the U.S. on April 1, 2000 was 281,421,906. Now 10 years later, we are preparing for the 2010 Census and your participation is critical.
As Mayor of Atlanta, we intend to fully cooperate with US Census Bureau as they perform the 2010 Census in our city. Now that the Governor has appointed a state Complete Count committee, Atlanta will cooperate with that Committee as well to encourage the full participation of everyone.
Here are a few Census Facts you may not know:
- The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years.
- The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.
- Your participation in the census is required by law.
- It takes less than 10 minutes to complete the form.
- Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census.
- Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute billions in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.
Your Participation in the 2010 Census Matters: It’s in Our Hands
Every year, more than $300 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on census data. That’s more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period.
Census data guides local public officials in important community planning efforts, including where to build child-care and community centers.
Community planners and governments rely on census data to determine where there is the most need for additional social services and who gets needed funding, such as community development block grants.
The 2010 Census questionnaire asks only a few simple questions of each person—name, relationship, gender, age and date of birth, race, and whether the respondent owns or rents his or her home. This simple, short questionnaire takes just a few minutes to complete and return by mail.
Achieving a complete and accurate 2010 Census is in all of our hands.
2010 Census Timeline: Key Dates
- Fall 2009: Recruitment begins for census takers needed for peak workload in 2010.
- February – March 2010: Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.
- April 1, 2010: Census Day
- April – July 2010: Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
- December 2010: By law, Census Bureau delivers population counts to President for apportionment.
- March 2011: By law, Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.
For more answers about the US Census Bureau, visit www.2010.census.gov or call 404 730-3832.