Thursday, March 4, 2010

2010 Census - Stand and Be Counted, Hernando County!

2010 Census - Stand and Be Counted, Hernando County!
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 26, 2010

Hernando County residents will receive the 2010 Census questionnaires in their mailboxes within the next couple of weeks. Some residents in the more remote areas of the county may be counted in person by a census taker. All citizens will be counted – both citizens and non-citizens

Why is it so important to complete and return the questionnaire? The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years to count the population and determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. The count is also used to determine boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts and to determine federal funding allocations to state and local governments. This funding is used for community services, such as school lunch programs, senior citizen centers and new construction for highways.

One of the shortest census forms in U.S. Census history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Responses to the census questionnaire should include everyone who will be living at that address as of Census Day, April 1, 2010. Census questionnaires should be returned as soon as possible in the postage-paid envelopes provided. Beginning in May, census takers will visit households that did not return the questionnaires by mail.

Mailing back the questionnaire ensures an accurate count and lowers the cost of the 2010 Census by reducing the number of census workers who must go door to door to collect census data. In fact, about $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QACs) will be established in Hernando County to assist residents in completing the forms. Also, all Hernando County library branches will have the census forms available as well as additional information about the 2010 Census. The QAC locations are as follows:

Withlacoochee Bicentennial Hall
16257 Lingle Road
Istachatta, Florida
March 19 thru April 17
Tuesday thru Saturday
11am - 2pm

Hernando County Airport
15800 Flight Path Drive
Brooksville, Florida
March 19 thru April 23
Monday thru Friday
11am - 2pm

Hernando County Government Center
20 N. Main St.
Brooksville, Florida
March 19 thru April 23
Monday thru Friday
11am - 2pm

Mail it back, Hernando County – stand and be counted!
For additional information, visit www.2010.census.gov., call the Hernando County Planning Department at (352) 754-4057 or the local Census Office at 1-866-861-2010 or 277-3096.

2010 Census www.2010census.gov

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