Answer the Door
At the end of April, census takers will begin knocking on doors to collect census information from those who did not complete and mail back their 2010 Census form. If you have not already done so, it’s not too late to mail it back. If a census taker comes knocking on your door because you did not mail back your census form, please answer your door and allow him or her the opportunity to collect your census data so we achieve a complete count in Alaska.
Ensuring Our Democracy is Fair
The founders of our country created Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution to ensure that representation in Congress is distributed equally. Our system of government depends on equal representation in Congress, which depends on the census. The United States has conducted a census every ten years since 1790. The 2010 Census is the 23rd census in American history.
Allocating Federal Funds
More than $400 billion in federal funds are distributed every year to states and communities based on census population data. Our community could miss out on receiving our full share of federal dollars if all of our residents are not counted in the 2010 Census.
Each Alaskan Represents $2,500
State and local governments use census data to plan new roads, schools and emergency services. Businesses use the data to develop new economic opportunities. Each Alaskan accounts for $2,500 in federal funding per year for the next ten years. We cannot afford to have residents missed in the 2010 Census count.
Just 10 Questions
The 2010 Census is the shortest in history with just 10 questions to answer and takes only about 10 minutes to complete the form. The questions are very basic, asking topics such as name, age, race and home ownership.
It’s Confidential
All Census Bureau employees take the oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure by a census employee is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Mail That Form!
Between $80-$90 million in taxpayer dollars is saved for each 1 percent increase in mail-back response. It’s critical that you mail back your census form rather than wait for a census taker to show up on your doorstep. It’s safe, easy and important: take ten minutes to complete and mail back that form.
We’re hiring!
The U.S. Census Bureau is accepting applications for census takers: part time, temporary employment. Census takers can earn $25.00 per hour plus 50 cents per mile reimbursement.
