Immediate Release
March 16, 2010
Batavia, Ohio. Did you get your 2010 Census form in the mail? The U.S. Census Bureau began sending the forms to over 130 million addresses across the nation this week. Mandated by the U.S. Constitution and performed every 10 years, the census counts every man, woman, and child. “Accurate census data is needed to determine how more than $400 billion in federal funding each year is distributed to local governments for new hospitals, building roads, improving schools, and expanding public transportation,” said Cynthia King, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau.
Every person living in your home should be counted when filling out the form. “There are only 10 questions and it should take you no longer than 10 minutes to fill it out; it is one of the shortest census forms in history. Census form answers are safe and confidential,” added King. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondent’s answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.
Clermont County will be updating information about local mail participation rates in the news media and on the Clermont Counts Web site www.2010.clermontcountyohio.gov. “During the 2000 Census, the national participation rate was 67 percent. In Ohio, the rate was 72 percent; in Clermont County it was 74 percent,” said King. “The lowest rates of return in Clermont County were for communities along the Ohio River. I know we can improve on that this time around.”
Households should complete and mail back the census questionnaire upon receipt. Households that do not respond may receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census takers will visit households that do not return questionnaires to take a count in person; all workers will carry identification and will not ask you for your social security number or other personal information.
Pictured above: Cynthia King with the U.S. Census Bureau encourages you to return your questionnaire as soon as it comes in the mail.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.