Questions & Answers about Denver Census 2010
What is the Census?
The Census is a head count of everyone residing in the United States. It has been mandated by the U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) since 1790 and it occurs every 10 years. The Census counts people of all ages, race, ethnic groups, citizens and noncitizens. Population totals from the decennial Census determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives; the totals are also used to redraw legislative districts. The Census is also used to help determine the appropriation of federally funded programs. Census data is safe. The constitution protects Census information from being shared with the Department of Homeland Security or any other federal agency.
Why is the Census important?
Census data is used to determine how the community is changing and what its needs are.
Funding
Approximately $300 billion in federal funding is distributed to communities each year. If the population is not counted accurately then Denver may not receive funds that match its needs.
Some of the areas where Census data is used to allocate funds are:
• Title 1 grants to educational agencies
• Head Start programs
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Public Transportation
• Road rehabilitation and construction
• Emergency food and shelter
The Colorado State Demography Office estimates that for every Denver resident not counted in 2010, it could lose a minimum of $826 per person each year in federal funds. In Colorado, almost 55,000 people were undercounted in the 2000 Census. In Denver, it is estimated that there were 9,000 undercounted residents in the 2000 Census, which translates to an estimated loss of $7.4 million dollars each year for a total loss in Denver of $74 million in federal dollars over 10 years. For these reasons, it is critical to Denver’s continued economic success that it achieves the most accurate count possible.
Representation
Census data is used to determine U.S. Congressional and Local representation.
U.S. Congressional: Apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives;
Local: Apportionment of representatives in the Colorado state legislature and seats on the Denver City Council
Accurate local statistical data is used for determining school and state legislature districts; to assist with infrastructure, public health, environmental protection, and disaster relief services amongst other services. Many state-funded grant programs also rely on Census data. Because the annual population estimates use the decennial census counts as a base, if a community's population is undercounted in the decennial census, these funds get misallocated for an entire decade.
Are jobs available with the Census?
The U.S. Census is hiring for various jobs. Please call 1-866-861-2010 to find out the nearest testing facility.
When should we expect to be filling out our census forms, and how?
In March of 2010 the US Census Bureau will mail a notification postcard to every address notifying people the Decennial questionnaire will be arriving in a couple of weeks. The decennial questionnaire includes 10 questions per person in the household. It is best if people fill out the questionnaire in the privacy of their own home and return it by mail.
For those people who do not return the questionnaire, US Census Bureau workers will be knocking on their door in April in an effort to reach everyone. The US Census Bureau workers will ask people if they can take a few minutes to fill out the same questionnaire that was mailed out in March. The US Census Bureau is printing questionnaires in English and bilingual (English/Spanish) and then will have language guides in over 50 different languages.
How can I learn more about the Census in Denver?Please contact Martha Rodriguez, Census Outreach Specialist, at 720-944-3023 or e-mail
martha.rodriguez@denvergov.org.