WHAT IS THE CENSUS?
The Census is a count of everyone living in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Island areas. This includes people of all ages, races and ethnic groups, citizens, non-citizens and undocumented immigrants.
It is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and has taken place every ten years since 1790. In March 2010, every household will receive a Census form which contains ten short questions.
The Census Bureau is barred by federal law from releasing any respondent's personal information to anyone, including the IRS, FBI, CIA, CIS (Citizen and Immigration Services) or any other government or private agency.
Census data is used to allocate Congressional seats to States, make decisions about which community services to provide, and determine the distribution of $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.
April 1, 2010 is Census Day
The Census form received in March should be completed and mailed back by April 1, 2010. In May and June, Census Takers will visit households that did not mail in the forms. Census forms will be available at public sites for individuals who do not receive them in the mail.
Why is it important to count every New York City resident?
The U.S. Census Bureau will submit the State population totals to the President of the United States by December 31, 2010 and these numbers will determine:
how many members of the House of Representatives each State will have for the
next decade
the basis for reapportionment of Congressional, State legislative and City
Council districts
the amount of federal funding the city will receive for public education, affordable housing, mass transit, road construction, health care and other vital services.
The Mayor established a NYC 2010 Census office whose goal is to increase overall mail-in response and get cooperation in the non-response follow-up process. City agencies, elected officials, businesses, the League of Women Voters and other non-profit organizations are working together to promote public awareness of the benefit of responding to the Census and to overcome barriers such as language, fear and mistrust.
A Census curriculum prepared by the US Census Bureau is being distributed to grades K-12 by the Department of Education.
THEY REPRESENT YOU