2010 Census -- where do you count?

The 2010 Census will be a snapshot of our nation's population, capturing our ever changing and diverse America. This historic event will do more than tell us who we are as a nation today; it will affect our community's future, our country's future and your future.

One question being asked is how are individuals or groups that have unique living situations like those living in college dorms, shelters, jails, nursing homes and military barracks counted? The Census Bureau Residence Rule says you should be counted where you live or sleep most of the time. So, if you spend the majority of your time living on the campus of Bradley University, then that's where you should be counted. Same goes for those snow birds who spend the winters in warmer parts of the country; since the majority of your time is spent here, you should be counted here.  

We are still looking for census workers.  Click here for listing of census job testing locations and times.

Many operations, people and activities must come together to produce a successful census. Here are five key steps every U.S. resident should know:

Step 1: Census is underway. Census workers canvassed the country between April and July 2009 to update addresses and maps from the previous census. This process is important because buildings that existed in the last census may no longer be standing, or a community may have new construction that needs to be recorded.Step 2: The form arrives. More than 130 million addresses throughout the nation will receive a census form in March 2010, either by mail or in person from a census worker. Households should complete and return their forms upon receipt. Step 3: Census Day is April 1, 2010. Responses to the census form should include everyone living at your address. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual's personal information with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Step 4: Follow-up because every person matters. Addresses that still have not responded are visited in person by a census worker beginning in late April through July. (Census workers can be identified by a census badge and bag.)

Step 5: The results are in! The Census Bureau will provide the 2010 apportionment counts to the President by Dec. 31, 2010, which includes the total population counts and the number of representatives for each state.

The Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution to occur every 10 years. For more information go to http://2010.census.gov, visit the local Census office at 2200 - 2240 Townline Road in Peoria or call 309-550-9220.