Census 2010

The Census: A Snapshot

• What: The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States.
• Who: Every person is counted where they reside.
• When: You will receive your questionnaire in February or March 2010 by U.S. mail.
• Why: To determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives; and implement programs and services in education, transportation, healthcare, social services, and public safety.
• How: Households should complete and mail back their questionnaires in the postage paid envelope. Census takers are now visiting households that did not return questionnaires to take a count in person.  What to do when a census taker visits you

A Complete Count: The Importance of Census Data

• Every year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on census data.
• For every person counted the federal government allocates $1200 per year.
• For every 100 residents who are not counted, over $1 million is lost to the people of Iowa City over the next decade.
• Used to determine locations for retail stores, schools, hospitals, new housing developments and other community facilities.
• Determine boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts.

Learn more about the 2010 U.S. Census

Portrait of America