The Census is conducted every ten years to get an accurate count of people living in the United States. The Census counts everyone in the U.S., citizens and non-citizens, legal residents and non-legal residents. Information about individual households is confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement.

The U.S. Constitution requires a population count every 10 years to determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census information is also used by community planners and governments to determine the locations for shopping centers, schools, roads, hospitals, new housing and other facilities and infrastructure. In addition, every year the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based partly on census data.

The 2010 Census has only 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. The questionnaire is mailed to each household in March. Someone in the household should complete the form as soon as it arrives and mail it back. Those households that do not respond may receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Any households that do not return questionnaires may be visited in person by Census takers.

The form asks for key demographic information, including whether the residence is rented or owned; the address; and information about others living in the household.