2010 CENSUS: IT'S IN OUR HANDS

10 Questions. 10 Minutes. 1 Positive Impact.

The Town's of Meeker and Rangely with Rio Blanco County "Encourages You to Participate in the 2010 Census".  In March 2010 households across the country received the 10-question census form by U.S. mail or hand delivery.  Responding immediately to the 2010 Census form was the most efficient way to complete the census.  As of April 27, 2010 - 72 percent of households participated in the 2010 Census by mail- the same rate achieved in Census 2000.  Final rates will be posted in the fall and will include late mail returns.

The 2010 Census Data - It's Important! - Many federal, state and tribal governments use census data to examine the demographic characteristics of communities, decide the location of new housing and public facilities, plan transportation systems and local school districts set school attendance area boundaries based on population. Businesses determine site location, gauge the competition and market share and measure employment density to influence their recruitment efforts.  Communities gain a greater understanding of the neighborhood, identify social service needs, locate community facilities, and find volunteers.  Local financial institutions comply with fair lending practices and housing units establish fair market rents.

Quality Assurance: The U.S. Census Bureau is committed to producing a complete and accurate count of the population.  As the Census count wraps up, the 2010 Census remains on schedule and under budget.  However, the 2010 Census isn't over yet. In addition to quality systematic checks of all census takers work over the last several months, summer marks the peak of the Census Bureau's efforts to ensure the date collected is complete and accurate as possible.  While quality assurance is an on-going part of the census, three major operations will occur during the summer, which means some households will be called or visited again by a census worker.

• The Census Bureau systematically re-interviews five percent of all the households visited by census takers to confirm that every one of the 565,000 census takers followed their training and did their jobs correctly.

• Currently 7.5 million households that responded to the census are being called to clarify any confusion and to ensure there is no double counting of people or leaving people out.

• With one of the highest vacancy rates in recent year, census takers will visit households believed to be vacant to double check that people aren't missed in the count.

• The Census Bureau will also verify the location of addresses provided on the Be Counted forms or telephone interviews that are not already on the address list, to ensure residents are counted in the correct location.

• If yours is one of the small percentage of homes re-interviewed, called or visited this summer during the Census Bureau's quality assurance operations, please take a few minutes with the census taker to help ensure the quality of the 2010 Census.

Looking Ahead (Fall - Winter 2010)

December 2010: Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the President, which show state populations and the number of seats apportioned to each state in the United States House of Representatives.

2010 Census Data Product Releases

February 2011 - March 2011: Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171) Summary File for States:

•  State population counts for race and Hispanic or Latino categories

•  State housing unit counts by occupancy status (occupied units, vacant units)

•  Lowest Level Geography: Blocks

March 2011: 2010 Census Briefs:

•  Analysis of topics including graphs and tables

•  Topics based on 2010 Census questions similar to the Census 2000 Briefs series

•  Lowest Level Geography: Largest Places

April 2011: National Summary File of 2010 Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171)

•  Population and housing counts for the United States, regions, divisions and American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Areas

May 2011: Demographic Profile:

• Selected population and housing characteristics

• Includes Congressional Districts of the 111th Congress

• Lowest Level Geography: Places/Functioning Minor Civil Divisions

June 2011 - August 2011: Summary File 1 (SF 1) for States:

• Population counts for 63 race categories and Hispanic or Latino

• Population counts for many detailed race and Hispanic or Latino categories, and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes

• Selected population and housing characteristics

• Lowest Level Geography: Blocks

November 2011: National Summary File (SF1) Update:

• Counts for the United States, regions, divisions and geographic areas that cross state lines such as American Indian areas and Core-Based Statistical areas

December 2011 - April 2012: Summary File 2 (SF2):

• Population and housing characteristics iterated for many detailed race and Hispanic or Latino categories and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes

• Lowest Level Geography: Census Tracts

American Community Survey Release in American FactFinder:

• September 2010: 2009 1-year estimates

• November 2010: 5-year estimates 2005-2009

• December 2010: 3-year estimates 2007-2009

The Census Bureau does much more than count the population every ten years - they are the fact finders of the nation.  Even if it isn't a year that ends in zero, the Census Bureau is busy collecting a range of valuable community information on an on-going basis.  These surveys and the Census work together to provide a complete bank of information so that communities and agencies, including service providers, non-profit organizations and other groups can make funding and operational decisions.  The Census Bureau seeks your continued support to take advantage of the high level awareness generated by the 2010 Census, to help make people aware that the country relies on the Census Bureau - and its workers - to make important decisions.

American Community Survey: The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they are changing.  The ACS collects and produces population and housing information every year instead of every ten years.  Detailed socioeconomic information is collected through the ACS.  The survey provides current data about your community.  It is sent to a small percentage of the population on a rotating basis throughout the decade. No household will receive the survey more often than once every five years. The American Community Survey and population estimates use the 2010 Census as a benchmark. www.census.gov/acs/www/index.html

American FactFinder: Your Source for Population, Housing, Economic and Geographic Data:  The Census' American FactFinder is the key delivery method for 2010 Census Data, past census information, as well as ongoing surveys to the public.  Anyone can find this data by going to the website www.census.gov. In American FactFinder, you can find data in the form of maps, tables and reports from a variety of Census Bureau sources.  Users will find data and maps on the most popular topics for their area including data on cities, towns, counties, states and/or zip codes.

Census Programs

Population Estimates Program: This program provides annual estimates of population for the previous year for cities and towns, metropolitan areas, counties and states.  For states and counties, estimates are available by age, sex and race/ethnicity.

Population Projections Program: This program projects the future resident population of the nation and for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.  The data is available by age, sex, and race/ethnicity through year 2010.

The Economic Survey: The Economic Census provides a detailed portrait of the United States' economy once every five years from the national to the local level.  This census covers most of the U.S. economy in its basic data. There are also several related programs, including statistics on minority-owned and women-owned businesses. Business establishments in the economic census are grouped into industries based on the similarity of their production processes.  These industries are coded according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  Economic census data sets are currently being released over time from late 2009 through 2011. The Economic Census data is only being disseminated through the American FactFinder system.  This data is provided in the form of tables, data sets, reports and maps and can be found at www.factfindercensus.gov.

Other Surveys: Information about demographic, social, economic and housing characteristics of the United States as well as business, industry and trade data can be found in several other surveys.  A comprehensive list of surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau is available at www.census.gov/main/www/surveys.html.

Additional Information

To learn more about the 2010 Census please visit: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

For questions or additional information about the Town's of Meeker and Rangely and Rio Blanco County's support of the 2010 Census, please contact: Rio Blanco County: Teresa Anderson (970-878-9573) Town of Rangely: Chris Brasfield (970-675-8477) and Town of Meeker: Becky Niemi (970-878-4963)

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