Once each decade, the U.S. Census Bureau begins the long, slow, expensive process of collecting information about the roughly 300 million U.S. residents. They’ll ask households to fill out and return census forms in order to get the pulse of the nation’s demographics. In preparation for the census data collection, the Bureau will begin a campaign to convince people to mail those forms back.The campaign, which costs $300 million, will begin in earnest in March, when the Bureau mails out 10-question forms to roughly 120 million households. Robert Groves, the Census director, started in early yesterday, however, and showed up at an event in New York City in a 46-foot trailer called “Mail it Back.” In all, the Census Bureau will have 13 such vehicles show up at roughly 800 events around the country, including such high-profile events as the Super Bowl  and the NCAA Final Four. Said Groves, “The whole purpose is to reach out to people at local events.”

The data collected by the Census Bureau is used in a variety of Congressional studies, as well as to distribute federal and state aid. Private companies and other government agencies also use the data. Said Groves, “There’s political power involved because of the Constitution. There’s money involved as well.” This year, forms will be sent out in other languages as well, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Russian. Said Groves, “I don’t think you can ever do enough. What we are doing, I think, is something to be proud of.”

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The address canvassing operation, which began Monday, will be conducted out of 151 local Census offices across the U.S. The official kickoff date for the U.S. Census is April 1, 2010.
   “The U.S. Constitution requires a national census every ten years. This is one of the most important events in the civic life of those living in the United States,” said Mayor Healy. “It is critical that all municipalities across the country elevate public awareness on the importance of the 2010 Census.
   Counting every resident does matter. The information gathered by the 2010 Census will affect municipalities like Jersey City for the next decade.”
The government uses census data to determine how many representatives each state should get in Congress and to distribute hundreds of billions of dollars in federal aid. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population of Jersey City was 240,055, making it New Jersey’s second-largest city,
following Newark.
   “The census data gathered will directly affect how more than $300 billion in federal funding will be distributed to state and municipal governments,” said Mayor Healy. “Clearly having every Jersey City resident counted is extremely important and will ensure that our city receives a fair share of federal funding for neighborhood improvements, social services, education, transportation and much more.”

   Nationwide, more than 140,000 census workers will participate in the address canvassing operation, a critically important first step in assuring that every household receives a census questionnaire in March
2010.
   “You can make a difference,” added Mayor Healy. “Being counted by the U.S. Census will not lead to deportations, arrests or tax audits. The purpose of the 2010 Census is to simply count the people, nothing more. So, I urge all Jersey City residents, young and old, to participate in the 2010 Census. An undercount in Jersey City would mean a severe reduction in much-needed federal dollars, which will directly affect the quality of life in our communities.”
   2010 Census workers will never ask for bank or social security information. All census information collected, including addresses, is confidential and protected by law. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with the FBI, the IRS, CIA, Welfare, Immigration, or any other government agency. No court of law or law enforcement agency can find out respondents’ answers.
   All Census Bureau employees — including temporary employees — take an oath for life to keep census information confidential. Any violation of that oath is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and five years in prison.
Nationwide, the 1990 Census survey missed more than 4 million people, many of whom refused to send in their forms or didn’t receive them. Children, minorities and immigrants made up most of the
undercount.
   The Census Bureau will hire thousands of individuals to assist with the 2010 Census. These positions range from clerical staff and enumerators to professional and managerial positions in the local Census Offices and Census Information Centers. For more information on Census jobs, visit:
www.nj.gov/labor or call the toll free number: 1-877-872-5627. Visit the 2010 Census website at: http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs or call the Census toll-free jobs line at 1-866-861-2010.

The U.S. Constitution requires that everyone living in the United States be counted every ten years.
The first U.S. Census was conducted in 1790 by Federal marshals.
All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary to Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy at 201-547-4836 or 201-376-0699.

The post Jersey City Mayor Healy to Residents: “Get Counted!” in the 2010 Census first appeared on River View Observer.