Census questionnaires have already begun arriving at area homes.

The good news is that with only 10 questions, the 2010 Census questionnaire is one of the shortest in history and will take just 10 minutes to complete.

To shine the spotlight on the Decennial Census, the Georgia Complete Count Committee, in cooperation with Governor Sonny Perdue and the General Assembly, has declared March 8- 14 as “Census Awareness Week.”

One of the primary goals of the 2010 Census is to increase the national mailback response rate. This not only reduces the cost of the census, it also increases the accuracy of the data as well.

“Census Day” is April 1, 2010. Questionnaire responses should represent American households, as they exist on that day.

Citizens are reminded that participation in the census is required by law.

Some of the activities taking place in connection with Census Awareness Week include:

(1) State School Superintendent Kathy Cox sent a letter to all local school superintendents asking them to work with their local schools and teachers to “teach the Census” this week.

(2) Information about the Census is now posted on the state government website.

(3) Ministers across the state have been asked to speak about the Census this week to let their congregants know that completing the census is safe, secure, and essential.

(4) Dr. Robert Groves, director of the United States Census Bureau, visited Atlanta on Monday, March 8.

As it now stands, the Census Bureau must submit state population totals to President Barack Obama by December 31, 2010.

Furthermore, an individual’s census data is strictly confidential. It is illegal for the Census Bureau or its employees to share personal information with any other government agency – not law enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, immigration officials, or welfare agencies.

In essence, the census is done for the purpose of apportioning the United States House of Representatives.

It is crucial that everyone be counted in the 2010 Census because the information gained from the national survey is also used to:

..Distribute over $300 billion in federal funds and even more in state funds.

.. Attract new businesses to state and local areas.

.. Forecast future transportation needs for all segments of the population.

.. Plan for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services.

.. Forecast the future housing needs for all segments of the population.

.. Direct funds for services for people living in poverty.

.. Develop rural areas.

.. Develop adult education programs.

.. Plan future government services.

.. Distribute medical research.

For general information about the 2010 Census, contact the Atlanta Regional Census Office at 1-404-730- 3832 or visit the following website: www.2010census.gov.