Have questions about completing your 2010 Census form? By now, thousands of Ohioans have received the Census in the mail, but many are uncertain how to answer some of the questions.
Ohio Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce has created a list of some common problems and answers to help residents complete the questionnaire.
“I encourage Ohioans to take just 10 minutes to answer 10 questions that will affect funding in Ohio for the next 10 years,” said Treasurer Boyce. “For every Census form that is returned by mail, you save the Census Bureau from sending a person to your home to follow-up. Door-to-door follow-up costs $57 per household.”
Treasurer Boyce said that the Census is critically important to all communities across the state. Results from the Census will determine the distribution of $400 billion in federal funds. Those funds are used for job training centers, emergency services, schools, senior citizen centers and many construction projects.
HOUSEHOLD & RESIDENCE
- Residency is determined by where you live the majority of the year.
- For a second home, mark “0” for the number and residents and write the address of your main residence.
- Include children born on or before April 1, 2010. Divorced parents with shared custody of a child should count the child where he/she spends the majority of time.
- If custody is split, the child’s residence is where he/she is on April 1, 2010.
- College students living away from home should be counted in the city where they attend school.
- Military personnel should be tallied at the base where they live.
- All non-U.S. citizens are required to complete the census form.
RACE & ETHNICITY
- If there is not an option that describes your race, write a description in the space marked “other race.”
- Multiracial people may check more than one race category or write “multiracial.”
CENSUS PARTICIPATION
- Census participation is mandatory. You have to complete all 10 questions.
- Forms are not available online. You must complete the paper form.
- If you do not complete the form, a Census official will visit your home and ask you the questions on the form then submit your answers.
- Census officials protect your identity and information.
- By law, Census officials cannot share your personal information with anyone, including federal, state and local agencies.
MISSING FORMS
- Wait until April 12, 2010, for the Census form to arrive by mail.
- After April 12, call the Census help line at 1-866-872-6868.
- Another option is to visit a Questionnaire Assistance Center or Be Counted Site to pick up a form. Find a Questionnaire Assistance Center or Be Counted Site by logging onto the U.S. Census 2010 web site at: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/
The 84 service centers are located across the state. The service centers will remain open through April 19, 2010. Each center is staffed so you can receive in-person information and language assistance to complete the Census form.
For more information about the Census, visit: www.census.ohio.gov.
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