The Census is a sociology study that provides an accurate and detailed count of the population that is used for apportionment of the United States House of Representatives as well as subsequent redistricting of legislative bodies in respective states and at the local level. The Census also determines how over $400 billion dollars annually will be allocated to states and communities.

Data from the Census about how our communities and states are changing and adapting are critical to many planning decisions. These planning decisions include things such as emergency preparedness and disaster recovery, neighborhood improvements, public health, education, senior services, transportation, job training centers, senior centers and much more. This sociology study affects almost every part of our community planning.

Census data helps the administration of countless government programs that guide local and state economic development in decision-making processes. This sociology study helps these administrations determine priorities for investment in public infrastructure and allows them to identify the needs of major metropolitan areas. This sociology study, the Census, also helps determine how most states reapportion their legislature.

In order to conduct this sociology study, the United States government will create roughly 1.4 million temporary jobs throughout the next year to fill a variety of census positions throughout the country.

Participation in this sociology study is easy, important and safe. All data received by the Census Bureau is strictly confidential to ensure that data respondents are protected. The Census Bureau is unable to share respondents' answers to this sociology study with anyone including the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Participation in this sociology study is also vital and required by law. Similar to jury duty or tax paying, individuals living in the United States have the obligation to respond to this decennial sociology study. Local and federal courts may fine individuals, who fail to respond to this sociology study, up to $5,000. However, the Census Bureau does not wish to seed the imposition of penalties, this is simply viewed as a last resort for the bureau. The bureau encourages response by explaining the importance of the census and the questions asked and how they will benefit local communities

As a part of the census, more than 130 million addresses across America will receive a census from in March of 2010 in an effort to accurately count every individual in the United States. This includes people of all rages, ethnic groups, ages, citizens and non-citizens. This data will guide local and federal government in decisions regarding services provided such as where to build new hospitals, roads, schools, senior centers and more.

The Census is mandated by the United States Constitution and is conducted every 10 years. The census is one of the largest efforts that our local and federal governments undertake. Data from this study are very important because they are used to reapportion the United States House of Representatives as well as determine how to allocate more than $400 billion annually in federal funding to local, tribal and state governments for services that affect their local communities.