When will data from the 2010 census be available?

The U.S. Census Bureau must submit state population totals to the president by December 31, 2010

This year, the country is taking part in Census 2010. Participation is mandatory and your personal information is protected by federal law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9). The Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals to theU.S. President by December 31, 2010.

An accurate count is important because Census data is used to distribute congressional seats to states, define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government. It is also used to decide which community services to provide and to help distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year. More information is available on the 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program.

The short questionnaire form asked for the name, sex, age, date of birth, race, ethnicity, relationship to head of household and housing tenure of every resident living in the United States. You may wish to view a sample of the Census form, which gives an in-depth look at the form and the information that was requested.

Census questionnaires were mailed or delivered to every household in the United States around mid-March 2010. If the Census Bureau did not receive the form back by April 9, 2010, a second form was sent. If the second form was not mailed back, a census taker visited the home, up to three times, between May 1 and July 10, 2010, to ask the questions from the form. If no one answered at a particular residence, the census taker left a door hanger featuring a phone number residents could call to schedule the visit. Through mid-August, the Census Bureau called households who had responded to the 2010 Census if they needed to clarify any answers about the number of people living at the address. If no one answered, a message was left requesting a call back. The message included a specific case identification number for residents to use when they returned their call. More information on what to expect from a Census phone call and verifying its authenticity is available.

Please note: Census takers participating in Census 2010 will never ask for your social security number, bank account number or credit card number. They will never solicit for donations and will never contact you by e-mail. Also, they will not ask about your citizenship status.

Videos are available online that answer common questions about Census 2010.

If you are interested in the response rate for your community, you may view the Take 10 Map, which shows participation rates throughout the country. The rates displayed are the rates achieved by Tuesday, April 27, 2010, prior to the cut-off for door-to-door non response follow-up operations. Final rates will be posted in the fall and will include late mail returns.

President Barack Obama proclaimed April 1, 2010, Census Day. The day was meant to remind everyone to fill out their Census 2010 form and return it to the Census Bureau.

Census Background 
The U.S. Census Bureau, a component of the Department of Commerce (DOC), was established to provide a statistical study of the population every 10 years. In 1790, the first census was taken by U.S. Marshals on horseback, and it counted 3.9 million people. Census 2000 counted more than 281 million people.

All residents of the United States must be counted where they live and sleep most of the year. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.

Other Census Surveys 
The more detailed socioeconomic information is now collected by the Census Bureau through the American Community Survey. A similar survey, the Puerto Rico Community Survey, is conducted in Puerto Rico.

Other Census Information 
Complete Count Committees (CCC) helped spread the word about the importance of the 2010 Census to motivate residents in their community to complete and return their 2010 Census questionnaire. CCCs were made up of state, local, tribal and/or community leaders and implemented census awareness campaigns. These campaigns were held until May 2010.

For additional information, please refer to the Census Bureau's frequently asked questions about Census 2010 or call the Census Bureau's national customer service center at 1.800.923.8282 or 1.301.763.INFO (1.301.763.4636). Their hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. For specific questions, you may wish to contact your nearest U.S. Census Bureau Regional Office.

Additional Resources: 

• Information for Former Census 2010 Workers 
• Census Job Frequently Asked Questions
• Census 2010 Timeline of Key Dates
• Census 2010 Social Media Tools
• Census 2010 in Spanish
• Census Scams and Fraud
• Census Bureau Newsroom
• Employment with the United States Census Bureau
• Census in Schools

By usa.gov team