How We Count America
The census numbers tell us who we are and what we need.
"For many sociologists and other scholars like me, the census data that is compiled every 10 years is flat-out the most reliable, comprehensive, and best source of data on the American population."
-- C.N. Le, Professor at University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Before we begin a new chapter in American history, we need to understand who we are right now.
The 2010 Census aims to count all U.S. residents—citizens and non-citizens alike.
To do so, the Census Bureau:
- Delivers a short 10-question form to every household in America
- Requires that you fill in the form to account for everyone living at your address as of April 1, 2010
- Includes a prepaid envelope with the form so you can mail it back as soon as possible
Explore the form and the questions we ask.
A census taker must follow-up in person with every address that doesn't mail back the form in order to obtain the responses.
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