Please take 10 minutes to complete and mail the 2010 Census to help your state and community.

The City of Pomeroy Asks You to “Take 10” in 2010 and Participate in the Census

As the 2010 Census draws near, Pomeroy is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure everyone completes and mails back their census form. Participation is important to the future of our community.

Taking 10 minutes to complete and mail a census form is the easiest and most efficient method of participation in the 2010 Census. Additionally, mailing back a census form reduces overall costs of conducting the census. For each census form returned by mail, the Census Bureau saves $60-$70, or about $85 million for every one percent increase in mail participation.

Why Participate in the Census?

As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, everyone in the United States must be counted in the census. This includes people of all ages, races and ethnic groups; citizens and noncitizens. Conducted every 10 years, the census is more than just a population count. The 2010 Census will present a new portrait of America, showing us how our nation has changed in the past decade and helping to determine what our communities need for the next 10 years.

Census data provide numerous benefits to the people of this nation and the places we live. For example:
• Census data are used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments.
• Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to tribal, state and local governments based on census data.
• Information from the census helps determine locations for child-care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers.

These and many other benefits are possible with an accurate count in 2010. Participating in the census is one of best ways the people of Pomeroy can contribute to society and make a lasting difference.


What You Should Know

Timing
Census forms will be mailed or delivered to all households in March 2010. Complete the form on behalf of every person living in the residence, both relatives and nonrelatives. Every household should complete their census form upon receipt and return it in the postage-paid envelope. Census workers will visit households that do not return the forms to take the count in person.

Confidentiality
The information you provide on your census form is confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

Assistance
Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) will be available to assist those unable to read or understand the census form, and Language Assistance Guides also will be available in 59 languages at all QAC locations. For those with visual impairments, the Language Assistance Guide will be available in large print and Braille. Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons who do not have access to Video Relay Service (VRS) can call the TDD number, 1-866-783-2010.

For more information, visit 2010census.gov.

Importance of the 2010 Census

• The census helps paint a portrait of America by showing how the country evolved over the past 10 years and what America needs for the next 10 years.

• The 2010 Census is more than just a population count. It’s about the future and well-being of our community and country.

• Census data are used to reapportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and for the subsequent redistricting of state and local governments.

• Census data help to determine how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to tribal, state and local governments for important social services that affect local communities like ours.

• Census data can help fund services for people in poverty, establish facilities for people with disabilities, determine locations for hospitals and senior centers, and forecast transportation needs, such as new roads and public transit options.

Explaining the Census Process

• Everyone in the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups; citizens and noncitizens.

• Census forms will be delivered or mailed to households in March 2010.

• Households should complete and mail back their forms upon receipt. Remember, we can’t move forward until you mail it back.

• Census Day is April 1, 2010. Responses to the census form should include everyone who will be living at your address on that date. (It is not necessary to wait until Census Day to return census forms, however. Forms should be returned as quickly as possible.) People should be counted at the residence where they live or sleep most of the time.

• The individual in whose name the housing unit is rented or owned should complete the form on behalf of every person living in the residence, both relatives and nonrelatives.

• Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take the count in person.

Importance of Mailing Back a Census Form

• Completing and mailing back a form is the easiest and most efficient method of participating in the 2010 Census.

• One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

• The Census Bureau has challenged everyone in the United States to top the Census 2000 mail participation rate of 72 percent, which was the national rate as of the April 2000 cut-off.

• High mail participation rates reduce the number of census workers who must go door-to-door to collect census data.

• Mailing back your form is important because about $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation.

• Additionally, the Census Bureau saves $60-$70 per census form returned by mail.

• Filling out your form and mailing it back will help ensure a more accurate count.

• Participation is easy, important and safe.
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