Participate in the 2010 Census!

February 11 , 2010

This year, the federal government is conducting the 2010 Census. The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States. All U.S. residents must be counted, including both citizens and non- citizens.

The census is important for a number of reasons. It will determine state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts. Census data also guides planning for new hospitals, roads, job training centers, schools and other programs essential to communities.

Your participation is particularly important in this year's census. Georgia is poised to pick up one or two congressional seats, expanding our representation in Congress.

You should receive your census questionnaire by mail in March. If you do not receive a questionnaire, you will be able to pick one up from several public sites. Households should complete and mail back questionnaires upon receipt. Households that do not respond may receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census takers will visit homes that do not return questionnaires to take a count in person.

The 2010 questionnaire consists of 10 short questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Households are asked to provide key demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; address of the residence; and the names, genders, ages and races of others living in the household. Federal law prohibits the sharing of information from the Census with any other organization or agency, so your information is secure.

I encourage everyone to participate in the 2010 Census. It is critically important and only takes a few minutes.

For more information, click on any of the following links:

Georgia Census 2010
U.S. Census 2010 - "It's In Our Hands"
10 Minutes, 10 Questions