US Census 2010 needs you! The next decennial census will take place starting in early 2010 with the mailing of brief questionnaires to all U.S. residents. Census data are used to determine the allocation of federal funds for community services such as school lunch programs and the construction of new highways and hospitals as well as the number or seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. When you receive your census questionnaire, please fill it out and send it back. Here are some general Census 2010 facts. Or read more at http://2010.census.gov.
The American Community Survey (ACS) is part of the US Census Bureau’s effort to revamp the decennial census program. Population and housing information will be collected from 3 million housing units across the nation every year. This makes it possible to publish information each year instead of only once every 10 years. By having more current data, you can take a fresh look at information about age, race, ethnicity, income, home value, employment, education and poverty. CMAP’s goal is to let you know when the newest information for the region is available.
Community members can use the data to find out how that their neighborhoods and villages are changing by checking the direction of change (increase or decrease) and the amount of change (high or low percentage). Results can also be used to identify issues that communities are likely to face so that steps can be taken to meet those challenges. Some community leaders have already compared Census 2000 data with the most recent census data to find out if their population is getting older or younger, if school enrollment is going up or down, and what occupations and industries have been the strongest. CMAP is currently using census data to develop indicators to track how components of CMAP’s GOTO2040 plan are being implemented. More information about the ACS is available at the ACS website .