Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today joined other elected officials and civic, business and community representatives at a rally in downtown Rockville to announce the County’s upcoming efforts to ensure a complete count of the County’s population in the 2010 Census.

The results of the census will be used to describe the United States and local communities such as Montgomery County. The County will focus its efforts on counting those groups that are often underreported in the census.

“We need to impress upon everyone in the County the importance of participating in the census,” said Leggett. “If we fail to count all of our residents, we could lose millions of dollars in funding for important County programs and services. Those least likely to respond may have the most to lose.”

The U.S. Constitution requires that a national census be conducted once every 10 years, and it is critical that everyone participate to ensure an accurate count.

“We are proud to partner with Montgomery County. The County’s Complete Count Committee brings together a cross-section of the community, who will assist the Census Bureau in conducting the most efficient, complete and representative decennial census,” said Fernando Armstrong, regional director, U.S. Census Bureau, Philadelphia.

Each year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on census data. Census data is used to determine locations for schools, hospitals, new housing developments, schools and other community facilities. Census data determines boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts.

Census Day is April 1, 2010. By that time, every household will have received a short questionnaire that is easy to complete and return. Questions regarding those residing in each household will include name, relationship, gender, age, race and whether the respondent owns or rents the home. Answers are confidential, as the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s response with anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies. Census takers will visit households in May that did not return a questionnaire.

By law, the Census Bureau will deliver population counts to the President for apportionment in December 2010, and redistricting data will be delivered to the states by March 2011.

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Media contact: Sue Tucker, 240-777-6507
Sylvia T. Ballinger, U.S. Census Bureau, 202-520-2191