Joe Hornaday
The 2010 U.S. Census has arrived in Decatur County.
The U.S. Census forms will be mailed in both February and March this year, and must be completed and returned by Census Day on April 1, 2010, which is less than 40 days away. In the summer, from May to July 2010, U.S. Census workers will follow up with visits to every address from which they received no response by Census Day. In December 2010, the Census Bureau delivers population counts to the President of the United States for apportionment.
The 2010 U.S. Census means business for local communities. Money is supplied to communities from the state and federal government as a result of the census outcomes, as is representation in Congress and the Indiana General Assembly and ensuring that economic developers and others know just what a singular community is really like.
Timothy J. Rushenberg, the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), has called upon local officials to promote the 2010 U.S. Census in their respective communities to make sure that every Hoosier is counted.
The Census counts all people living in the United States – whether citizen or non-citizen, legal or undocumented, homeless or housed. The U.S. Census happens once every 10 years and is required by the U.S. Constitution. It is important that every Hoosier household complete the Census form. The information collected from the Census is used to assist government leaders in making major decisions, such as the apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Indiana General Assembly and to help distribute $300 to $400 billion in federal funds back to state and local governments each year.
Participation in the U.S. Census is required by law. The information provided to the Census is absolutely confidential.
Taking part in the 2010 U.S. Census is important for both the residents and government in the communities. For more information, those interested can access the 2010 U.S. Census at www.census.indiana.edu and http://indianacompletecountlocalgov.wordpress.com/.
