April 1st National Census Day Published March 25, 2010 By Staff Reports 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- April 1st is National Census Day and marks the date that Census representatives will begin to visit residents to collect the census forms and answer any questions. On and off base housing residents should have received census forms by mail during the month of March. To alleviate the burden of the extended visit, please complete the census forms as soon as they are received. Bureau of Census representatives will begin canvass the housing areas to collect the census forms from residents. If the forms are completed prior to their arrival, the length of the visit will be short (10 - 15 minutes). If the forms are not completed, the length of the visit will be longer (40-50 minutes) due to the reps going over each area of the forms with the residents. Off base residents can expect to receive visits from census reps during the month of April using the same criteria mentioned earlier. All unaccompanied personnel living on Andersen will get forms from their designated Unit Representatives for completion and collection. Here is an introduction to the 2010 Census: The foundation of our American democracy is dependent on fair and equitable representation in Congress. In order to achieve an accurate assessment of the number and location of the people living within the nation's borders, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The census population totals determine which states gain or lose representation in Congress. It also determines the amount of state and federal funding communities receive over the course of the decade. 2010 Census data will directly affect how more than $4 trillion is allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next 10 years. In order for this funding allocation to be accomplished fairly and accurately, the goal of the decennial census is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. The facts gathered in the census also help shape decisions for the rest of the decade about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education, senior services and much more. Reaching an Increasingly Diverse Population The goal of the 2010 Census is to count all residents living in the United States on April 1, 2010. The U.S. Census Bureau does not ask about the legal status of respondents in any of its surveys and census programs. To help ensure the nation's increasingly diverse population can answer the questionnaire accurately and completely, about 13 million bilingual Spanish/English forms will be mailed to housing units in neighborhoods identified as requiring high levels of Spanish assistance. Additionally, questionnaires in Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Vietnamese and Russian ⎯ as well as language guides in 59 languages ⎯ will be available on request. Recruiting Census Workers By 2010, there will be an estimated 310 million people residing in the United States. Counting each person is one of the largest operations the federal government undertakes. For example, the Census Bureau will recruit nearly 3.8 million applicants for 2010 Census field operations. Of these applicants, the Census Bureau will hire about 1.4 million temporary employees. Some of these employees will be using GPS-equipped hand-held computers to update maps and ensure there is an accurate address list for the mailing of the census questionnaires. 10 Questions, 10 Minutes to Complete With one of the shortest questionnaires in history, the 2010 Census asks for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. It takes only about 10 minutes for the average household to complete. Questions about how we live as a nation ⎯ our diversity, education, housing, jobs and more ⎯ are now covered in the American Community Survey, which is conducted every year throughout the decade and replaces the Census 2000 long-form questionnaire. Responses to the 2010 Census questionnaire are required by law. All responses are used for statistical purposes only, and all are strictly confidential. For more information, visit the 2010 Census Web site at http://www.census.gov/2010. President Obama has recorded a message encouraging all residents to fill out their census forms. It can be heard here: http://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/spread-message/obama-message-30.php