The time is fast approaching for the 2010 Census. Forms are scheduled to be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States during March.

The 2010 Census is one of the shortest in history with only 10 questions to complete. Everyone living in the household as of April 1 answers seven questions, name, gender, race, ethnicity and whether they sometime live somewhere else. The head of household answers how many people live in the residence, whether it is a house, apartment, or mobile home and provides a telephone number for Census workers to follow up if any information is incomplete or missing. A prepaid, return address, envelope is included for mailing the census once it has been completed.

Information collected by the census is used to produce statistics. Answers provided cannot be used against anyone by any government agency or court. Additionally, 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 carries a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both. Privacy of participants is protected.

So, why is completing the form so important? The 2010 census is a community’s voice in government.

Census information affects the number of seats every state occupies in the House of Representatives. Also, the information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior citizen centers, bridges, public works facilities and emergency services. For these reasons, it is very important that everyone be counted.

Completing the 2010 Census is also mandatory. Those who do not return the form can expect a visit to their home from a Census worker.