Census 2010 looking for workers

Friday, March 13, 2009

Every 10 years the government counts the population in the United States. The next census is due out in 2010 and recruitment of census workers has already begun.

The census population totals determine which states gain or lose representatives in Congress as well of the amount of state and federal funding communities receive.

Facts gathered in the census help shape decisions for the rest of the decade about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education and senior services.

The U.S. Census Bureau sends questionnaires in the mail or contacts businesses and households to participate in its surveys.

More than $3 trillion will be allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next 10 years.

With an estimated 310 million people residing in the United States by 2010, the goal of the 2010 Census is to count all residents living in the United States on April 1, 2010.

Counting each person is a large undertaking, and nearly 3.8 million applicants will be recruited for field operations. Of this number, about 1.4 million temporary employees will be hired.

Town Council members and clerks have been contacted in several local areas as workers are recruited.

Roachdale Town Council President Bill Long told people attending the last town council meeting that some part-time jobs may be available from the Census Bureau.

"They may not be in the Roachdale area and could be anywhere in the state," he said.

He told people who are interested to go to the Web site 2010.census.gov and look under the "jobs" tab or to call 812-334-9773.

At a recent meeting, the Cloverdale Town Council also discussed needing 10 volunteers to help coordinate the census in their community

The questionnaire itself is one of the shortest ones in history. The name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship and whether you own or rent your home are the 10 questions on the sheet.

Information about how Americans live as a nation -- diversity, education, housing, jobs and more -- are covered in the American Community Survey that is conducted every year. It replaces the Census 2000 long-form questionnaire.

For information about the 2010 Census visit their Web site at www.census.gov/2010

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