Fast Facts: Stand Up and Be Counted: The 2010 Census

The 2010 Census

 

 

“…an accurate count of the U.S. population forms the basis for many important but often overlooked political, economic, and social decisions that are made that end up affecting our daily lives.” –  C.N. Le, Professor at University of Massachusetts  

 

So why is the census such a big deal?

 

Here in the Reference Department, we use census data to answer people’s questions about population, income and more. But the census is essential to communities for many reasons:

 

o It determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.  

o It helps allocate billions of dollars to states and communities for many programs including school lunches, senior citizen centers, employment assistance and much more! 

o It determines federal funds for new construction such as highways and hospitals. 

o It generates valuable statistics on population, income, business and much more. (Access these at sites like factfinder.census.gov)

o It helps people trace their family history (Get started at ancestry.com)

 

For many more ways this data can help, visit “How it Affects the Nation” (2010.census.gov/2010census/why)and “History of the Census”(census.gov/history).

 

Even with all these reasons, only about 60% of us respond to this important questionnaire.  Do your part by filling out the census form you receive in the mail.  If you didn’t get one, you can download a form at 2010.census.gov. Forms are also available at the Downtown Lansing Library, located at 401 S. Capitol in Lansing.  And if you have questions or would like help with the form, call (517) 367-6363 to find out when a census employee will be available at the library.

 

So stand up and be counted. And consider that the process is much easier than in the old days. When the first census took place in 1790, federal marshals travelled on horseback through the original 13 states, literally counting people.  In 2010 census takers will use mobile handheld devices and GPS systems to do the same thing!