Provo City

2010 Census


What is the Census?

Once every ten years, the United States Government conducts a count of everyone living in the United States.   This count includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens. The Census helps describe who we are as a county, state, and nation.The Census has been conducted every 10 years since 1790. The next Census will be carried out in 2010.

Census questionnaires will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will be mailed or delivered to every U.S. household in March 2010. The questions should be answered based on household composition as of April 1, 2010. All responses are confidential and protected by law.  So students living in Provo on April 1 should be counted here.  But Provo residents living other places on April 2 should be counted where they live.

The Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2) and population totals must be submitted to the U.S. President by December 31, 2010 for legislative re-apportionment.
 
 

Fast Facts About the Census

 
  1. The census is a count of everyone, documented and undocumented, living in the United States that takes place every 10 years.
  2. The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.
  3. The next Census Day will be on April 1, 2010. 
  4. The next census will use the “short form” which only has 10 questions.
  5. The census form will be available in 6 written languages, Vietnamese, English, Russian, Chinese (Simplified), Korean and Spanish.
  6. There will be language assistance guides for the census available in 59 languages.
  7. Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census for 72 years.
  8. The census does not share any personal information with anyone—including agencies such as ICE (immigration), the FBI, the IRS, police, welfare agencies, etc.
  9. Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states.
  10. Census data are used to distribute $400 billion in federal funds to states and localities each year for hospitals, schools, emergency and other public needs.

What the Census Means to Provo

$400 Billion Allocation Across the U.S.

A formula grant is a federal grant in which statutory legislation designates a specific formula for calculating how program funds are distributed. The variables used in formulas often portray those who benefit from the programs. Some examples of these variables include: population, age, and income.  Provo receives funding each year through many federal sources, and an accurate count will help the taxpayers of Provo get their fair share of their federal tax dollars for programs in our own community.
 

Sales Tax and Other Tax Allocations Based on Population

In Utah, local sales taxes are distributed to cities, with 50% of the funds based on point of sale and 50% based on population.  The more accurate the count, the more sales tax money will be received.  And sales taxes support public safety, parks and recreation and other important services in Provo.
 

Legislative Reapportionment

The U.S. Census forms the basis for allocating seats in the United States House of Representatives, the Utah State Legislature, the Provo Municipal Council and the Provo School Board.  An accurate count in each neighborhood will ensure that representation in government offices is fairly determined.  And Utah will likely qualify for another Congressional seat if the 2010 Census is accurate.