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TextCensus Will Start in Fairfax County in Mid-March
Jan. 26, 2010
OPA 013/10
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The 2010 Census officially began this week in Noorvik, Alaska; and it will start in Fairfax County in mid-March, when forms are mailed to residents. County officials want everyone to be counted because the census brings back millions of dollars for schools, roads and other important local services.
For this reason, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution today to encourage every county resident to answer and return their census form by April 1. Forms will be mailed to every county household starting in mid-March.
“Census data determines whether we get our fair share of federal money for our schools, roads and other important local services and programs,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova. “In these days of tight budgets, it’s critical that we get every federal dollar we’re entitled to receive. To ensure we do, everyone must fill out and mail back their census form by April 1. It doesn’t matter whether you are a citizen or not — you count.”
Based on census results alone,Fairfax County received more than $359 million in federal funds in Fiscal Year 2008. This money helped to fund the county’s schools, roads and social services. As an example, the county received more than $50 million for schools.
It is quick and easy to answer the census form because it is one of the shortest in history. It is only 10 questions that should take about 10 minutes to answer.
By federal law, information from census forms cannot be shared with any local, state or federal government agency, including Fairfax County. Census workers also take an oath for life to keep this information confidential. There are stiff penalties for U.S. Census Bureau employees who disclose this information, including fines of up to $250,000, up to five years in prison or both.
The U.S. Constitution requires that a census be conducted every 10 years to count everyone living in this country. Everyone must be counted — not just citizens — as stipulated by the Constitution.
More information about the 2010 census can be found online.
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Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director, Office of Public Affairs
703-324-3189, TTY 711, Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov
To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-3187, TTY 711
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