The United States Constitution requires that the number of people living in the United States be counted every 10 years. People of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens alike, regardless of legal status, are to be counted in the next census in 2010. The United States Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau is responsible for the count.

• The 2010 Census will find out how many people live in New York City, how many elected representatives we will have in Congress, determine who will represent you in the City Council and in the New York State Legislature, determine how much funding we will receive from the federal government for education, healthcare, job training, transportation, senior services, and other critical services important to all New Yorkers.

• The 2010 Census is a form (in PDF) with 10 simple questions that will be mailed to you between February and March of 2010. You will be asked to answer questions about yourself and each person who lives with you. You then must mail back the completed form by April 1, 2010. All personal information you provide in answer to any question on the form is completely private and will not be shared with anyone else. The information you provide is only used for statistical purposes. Under the law, your personal information remains private for 72 years.

• By law, the U.S. Census Bureau must submit state population counts to President Obama by December 31, 2010 to kick-off the process of deciding what Congressional district you live in and ultimately, who will represent you.

Why Participate?

• It is your right and obligation to participate in the 2010 census so that your family and community get their fair share of representation in Congress, Albany, and the City Council.

• It is important to participate and be counted so that New York City gets its fair share of funding from the federal government to improve schools and healthcare, fight crime, repair roads, and support other critical City services for all New Yorkers.

• It is important to participate and be counted so that we have accurate statistical information on our population to make polices and deliver services that meet the needs of all the people living in every neighborhood and community.

• It is important to participate and be counted because your presence matters and you count!

We are the largest and most diverse city in the nation. A successful census in New York City will only happen if everyone in every community across the City participates and is counted.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/census2010/html/home/home.shtml