Money in numbers

The number of people counted in Lakeside and all communities across the country determines how much  state money comes to each town.

This is particularly important to Lakeside. Lakeside doesn’t have a tax base and depends on state revenue for operating city business.

The census is a count of all people living in the United States, American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are included in the 2010 Census.

The census is a mandate by the U.S. Constitution taken every ten years. Your participation in the census is required by law.

How long will it take?

It takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census.

What the population count is used for

♦ It determines how many representatives a state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

♦ It determines the amount allocated to states and communities.

♦ It shows how much change has taken place in the country over a ten year span.

When does it start?

The census will begin April 1, 2010, continuing through mid July 2010.

Some are concerned about the personal questions

There is concern by some citizens and at least one Representative about the census containing “very intricate and “very personal” information requests.

Representative Bachmann stated, she will only indicate the number of people in the household, because “the Constitution doesn’t require any information beyond that.”

Census law and fines

The following section of the United States Code requires that people fill out their U.S. Census forms and provides a $100 penalty for not answering the Census and up to $500 for giving false information.