Do I Have to Take the Census?

In a word, yes. Not only is the Census important, you are required by law to take it. Title 13 of the United States code requires a response. In addition, Title 13 also requires that every Census worker keep each respondent's answer confidential. The Census Bureau uses them only for tabulations and they do not reveal any person information about people or households.

Besides being required by law, the Census is important. If everyone in your community is counted, then you community receives its fair share of political representation. It helps to determine how many Congressional representatives each state gets. It helps with redistricting.

It helps to ensure your community received enough government funding. The 2010 Census will help each community receive funding for hospitals, job training centers, schools, bridges, tunnels, roads, and emergency services.

Many wonder how the Census workers come up with the questions on the form. The questions come from a variety of government sources. The questions in the Census form are determined in response to the informational needs of the federal, state, and local governments.

Taking the Census is not that being of headache as one might think. The form will only take about 10 minutes to finish. There is no need to drive anywhere to complete it. The Census form comes to your home. When you receive yours, answer the 10 short questions and mail the form back. You don't even need to worry about postage. You also will receive a postage paid envelope. Some people may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask the questions from the form. Bilingual forms are available for those who speak Spanish.

Some of the questions that are asked on the Census will be:

Do you own your home or rent it?

What is your telephone number?

How individuals live in the residence?

They will also ask for information about each individual living in the home. They will ask for each name, gender, age, the relationship to the person who owns or rents the home you currently reside in, your race, and whether or not you live anywhere else.