Stand Up and Be Counted—Return Your 2010 Census Form By the April 1, 2010 Deadline!

 

Census forms have been mailed to every home in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Census consists of 10 short questions. Just answer the questions then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you don't mail the form back, a census taker may visit your home to ask you the questions on the form. Click here to see the questions on the form.

NOTE: All information you provide is strictly confidential. Your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. All Census Bureau employees take an oath not to disclose any information they gather and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the information they collect.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section provides answers to some common questions about the Census. If you don’t find the answers you need here, call your Regional Census Center at 215-717-1020, or visit the 2010 Census website at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

What is the Census?

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years.

What will the Census Bureau do with the information they collect?

The information you provide is used to produce statistics. Information gathered in the 2010 Census will help communities like ours receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like:

• Hospitals
• Job training cente
• Schools
• Senior centers
• Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
• Emergency services

Can the Census Bureau share my answers with anyone?

Federal law protects the confidentiality of all your information and violating this law is a crime with severe penalties. Your private information is never published. In addition, it is against the law to disclose or publish any of the following information:

• Names
• Addresses including GPS coordinates
• Social Security numbers
• Telephone numbers

What should I do if a census taker visits me?

If a census taker visits you, here's what you should do:

• First ask to see his or her ID. All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name; they may also have a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag
• Note that the census taker will never ask to enter your home
• If you're still not certain about their identity, please call your Regional Census Center at 215-717-1020 to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau
• Answer the census form questions for your entire household (you must be at least 15 years old to answer questions) so that the census taker can record the results for submission to the Census Bureau

If you want a census taker to visit your home or you have a question about your participation in the census, call your Regional Census Center at 215-717-1020.

What if I don’t speak English?

Census takers can take your information in your native language.

Census: Important Dates

March 2010
Census forms are mailed or delivered to households

April 1, 2010
National Census Day—This is the deadline for sending your completed forms back in the mail.

April - July 2010
Census takers visit households that did not return a form by mail

Click here to the 2010 Census website.

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