Today is Census Day

Today is Census Day 2010. So what is Census Day exactly? It's apparently an unofficial mail-by date. The US Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration hopes that everyone who hasn't already done so will return their completed Census forms today. They estimate that 52% of households have already returned the forms so if like me you're one of the 48% slow returners, the Census Bureau is waiting.

A message from their director reminds us that our answers are important and that "Census results are used to decide the number of representatives each state has in the U.S. Congress. The amount of government money your neighborhood receives also depends on these answers. That money is used foe services for children and the elderly, roads, and many other local needs."

Questions for the 2010 Census include:

1. How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?

2. Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Question 1?

3.Is this house, apartment, or mobile home owned, rented or occupied without payment of rent?

4. What is your telephone number?

5. Please provide information for each person living here. First name and Last name?

6. What is Person 1's sex?

7. What is Person 1' age and what is Person 1's date of birth?

8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

9. What is Person 1's race?

10. Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?

That's it! Not the longest or most personal form I've completed. I'll drop mine off on my back from the beach.