Do your part and complete the Census forms in 2010.  Since the days of the founding fathers, the U.S. Census has taken a snapshot of America every 10 years. Each decade a new portrait of our country provides insight into the diverse and ever-changing population of the United States and directly affects how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed.

The Census Bureau reports that Missouri receives nearly $8 billion in federal funds based on its data. Those funds help to build and repair roads, support our schools and provide many other services our residents depend on. An undercount of 100,000 people means Missouri would lose $1.3 billion for the decade.

To prevent that from happening, Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Missouri citizens to help spread the word about
the importance of the census. The Missouri Statewide Complete Count Committee will be working to make sure every Missourian gets counted. To find out more about the committee’s efforts, visit www.oa.mo.gov/mocensus. You also can follow the Missouri Statewide Complete Count Committee on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Mo2010Census.

As the nation prepares for the 2010 Census, here are some things you should know:

Why do we take the Census?

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years. The census shows state population counts and determines the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives for each state. All residents of the United States are counted including people of all ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.

What’s at Stake?

Census data is used for a variety of purposes including appropriating money to the state and local communities, apportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and helping to guide and inform community decisions. Every year the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to the states and communities based partly on census data. Funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation, child care, senior citizen centers and much more.

Based on a Brookings Institute study, Missouri received $1,327 per person in federal aid which was allocated based on census counts. This would equate to a loss of $1.3 million for each 100 persons missed in the 2010 census over the next decade. An undercount of 100,000 people would equal $130 million.

Missouri is on the cusp of losing a congressional seat. If Missouri does lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, it is forecasted to be by less than 1 percent of the total population. In 2000, Missouri’s response rate was 69 percent.

2010 Census Questionnaire: Quick, Easy and Confidential With only 10 questions, the 2010 Census questionnaire is one of the shortest questionnaires in history and takes just 10 minutes to complete.

By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s census questionnaire responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Do your part!

So do your part and be counted. By doing so, you will help improve your community and the rest of the state. You will also help ensure that Missouri has a proper voice in our federal government.