The National Conference of Black Mayors has partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau to help achieve a complete and accurate count of our population as part of the 2010 Census.
Conducted every 10 years, the census defines who we are as a nation. It guides critical decisions on the national, state and local levels that affect members of the Black community and the quality of life in our communities.
For an accurate count, it’s essential that everyone in the United States must be counted - both citizens and noncitizens.
By completing your 2010 Census form, your participation provides important data that can impact our communities for the better. 2010 Census data will:
- 1. Directly affect how more than $400 billion in federal funding is distributed annually to local, state and tribal governments.
2. Impact the quality of life for our families by guiding local-decision makers on where to build new hospitals, schools, child-care and senior centers, roads and more.
3. Give political voice and hope for change to the Black community, as census data will determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In past censuses, some members of the Black community did not participate in the census due to lack of awareness, misinformation, immigration concerns or concerns about confidentiality. It’s important to know that, by law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone—-not the IRS, not the FBI, not the CIA, and not with any other government agency. All Census Bureau employees take the 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.
Below are answers to five frequently asked questions.
Q. Who should fill out the census questionnaire?
A. The individual in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented should complete the questionnaire on behalf of every person living in the residence, including relatives and non-relatives.
Q. How will the 2010 Census differ from previous censuses?
A. In 2010, every residence will receive a short questionnaire of just 10 questions. More detailed socioeconomic information previously collected through the decennial census will be asked of a small percentage of the population through the annual American Community Survey. To learn more about the American Community Survey, visit www.census.gov.
Q. How are census data used?
A. Census data determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census data also can help determine the allocation of federal funds for community services, such as school lunch programs and senior citizen centers, and new construction, such as highways and hospitals.
Q. What kind of assistance is available to help people complete the questionnaire?
A. 2010 Census questionnaire language assistance guides are available in a variety of languages. Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) will also assist those unable to read or understand the questionnaire. Large-print questionnaires are available to the visually impaired upon request, and a Teletext Device for the Deaf (TDD) program will help the hearing impaired. Contact your Regional Census Center for more details about the types of assistance available and for QAC locations.
Q. How does the Census Bureau count people without a permanent residence?
A. Census Bureau workers undertake extensive operations to take in-person counts of people living in group quarters, such as college dormitories, military barracks, nursing homes and shelters, as well as those who have been displaced by natural disasters.
