Taken once every 10 years, the census determines redistricting for congressional districts as well as how much fedderal money a county may receive.
Each year, the federal government can give out more than $300 billion to states and communites based on, at least in part by, census numbers.
People will begin to receive the census in March as the questionaires are sent out through the mail. Many households will receive a replacement questionaire in April as well.
Census Day is set for April 1 as the official start of the census.
The questionaire is just 10 questions long and takes 10 minutes to complete.
If a census worker comes to your home or whether you fill the form out, the census will not ask for any bank account numbers or social security numbers.
If someone claiming to be a census worker asks such questions, residents are encouraged to call the police.
Census workers will not solicit donations for any charities.
All census workers that go door-to-door will be credentialed.
The census cannot be filled out online. If anyone receives an e-mail attachment claiming to be the 2010 Census do not open it.
On top of the census, some residents may receive the American Community Survey. This survery is much more detailed than the census and will take longer to fill out.
Residents are encouraged to fill this American Community Survey out if received.
During Tuesday morning's local Complete Count Committee meeting it was stated that the census form will not be forwarded to people who live in other places during the winter.
The committee also said that the census will be sent to people's physical addresses and that P.O. boxes won't be used.
According to a representative from the South Bend census office, both of those issues are currently being addressed.
Those who don't fill out a census through the mail, can still be counted through a census worker.
As the census approaches, call centers will be set up to help people with questions about the it.
For more information online visit www.2010census.gov
