2010 Census Explained
About California Census 2010
The Big Count
Every 10 years since 1790, the U.S. Census has conducted a nationwide count of every resident in the United States. The U.S. Census is required by the Constitution, and serves as an important tool for allocating resources across the United States.
The 2010 Census will help communities receive over $400 billion in federal funding each year for things like hospitals, schools, job training centers, senior centers, emergency services, and public works projects.
The data collected by the census also helps determine the number of seats California has in the U.S. House of Representatives. For the first time in the our 160 year history, California may lose an existing congressional seat if we do not have a complete count in 2010.
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.
April 1, 2010, is Census Day. The U.S. Census Bureau will send reminder postcard and a replacement questionnaire if you have not sent in the original form. The U.S. Census Bereau will send out census takers to go door-to-door and fill-in questionnaires for households that did not respond. If you don't mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker.
The State of California is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to organize and implement the decennial census outreach effort. Working together, California's goal will be to have a complete count of California residents on April 1, 2010.
In an effort to support the Census Bureau, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger created the California Complete Count Committee. The California Complete Count effort will ensure that Californians get their fair share of federal resources and Congressional representation by encouraging the full participation of all Californians in Census 2010.