Census 2010

Beginning in late March 2009 the U.S. Census Bureau will be sending out address canvassers as a part of early operations. This workforce will walk or drive through neighborhoods to check that all addresses are in its database when the questionnaire is delivered in March 2010. This early operation is vital to ensuring a complete and accurate count.

Data obtained from the 2010 Census will determine how many representatives each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. That could provide Wisconsin residents with a stronger voice in Congress. Census data are also used in part to allocate $300 billion in federal funds every year. In Wisconsin that could mean billions of dollars for roads, schools and other programs.

Many people don't realize that the address canvassing operation occurs as much as a year ahead of the official census day on April 1, 2010. Address canvassing is the first large field operation for the 2010 census, and it is designed to identify all housing units and other living quarters. Canvassers will use hand held computers with maps on them to verify and list structures, including the collection of GPS coordinates for each location.

All information collected by address canvassers and other census employees is kept strictly confidential and cannot be shared with any other persons, institutions or agencies. If you have questions or concerns please contact your local census office.

For more information about the 2010 census visit www.census.gov.