West Hartford 2010 Census
The Census: A Snapshot
WHAT: The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States.
WHO: All U.S. residents must be counted--people of all races and ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.
WHEN: Census Day is April 1, 2010. Questionnaire responses should represent the household s it exists on this day. More detailed socioeconomic information will be collected annually from a small percentage of the population through the American Community Survey.
WHY: The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years. the census will show state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
HOW: Census questionnaires will be delivered or mailed to households via U.S. mail in March 2010; many households will receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census workers also will visit households that do not return questionnaires.
A Complete Count: The Importance of Census Data
Every year, the federal government can allocated more than $300 billion to states and communities based, in part, on census data.
Census data guide local decision-makers on where to build new roads, hospitals, child-care and senior citizens centers, school, and more.
Businesses use census data to locate supermarkets, new housing and other facilities.
Census data determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2010 Census Questionnaire: Quick, Easy and Confidential
With only 10 questions, the 2010 Census questionnaire is one of the shortest questionnaires in history and takes just 10 minutes to complete.
By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual's census questionnaire responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.