April 1, 2010 is Census Day!

Every ten years the US Census Bureau does its best to count every man, woman and child that lives in the United States.  The official count is on April 1, 2010.  Many people have already completed their forms.  As of today, March 27, 2010, 40% of Pennsylvanians have completed and returned their forms.  Nationwide, 34% of the people have responded.  In my neighborhood, Mt. Washington, only 30% have responded. 

To see where your neighborhood ranks, take a look at the Take 10 Map:  2010 Participation Rates.

The Census bureau is using Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to get the word out about the 2010 Census. 

In honor of Census Day, I would like to share a few fun facts that I found about US.

• As of March 27, 2010 the population of the US is 308,949,802.
• 24.3% of the US population is under the age of 18!
• Pennsylvania has the 6th highest population in the country.
• Pittsburgh is the 2nd biggest city in Pennsylvania, but only the 54th largest in the country population wise.
• There are 257 bowling alleys in PA.
• There are 85 miniature golf courses in our state.
• There are 160 museums in PA.
• There are 36 ice skating rinks too! 

The U.S. Census Bureau’s website has a lot more than just population statistics.  Another good website for information about the United States is USA.gov. 

marianj

CLP–Mt. Washington

Be Counted!

 

Did you know that only 67% of Pittsburgh’s population was counted in the last census? Do you know what that means?

Let’s put it differently: What would it mean if you brought home an exam with a grade of 67%?

When you or your parents fill out a census form, you’re making a statement about your community’s needs. More than $4 trillion dollars over the next 10 years will go to the cities and communities that need it–well, if they are represented in the census, that is.

Census data helps your community get money for your school, afterschool programs, libraries, hospitals, job training, emergency services, senior centers, and road repair.

The stakes are especially high for cities with large groups of people who are difficult to count. Renters are one of these groups, and Pittsburgh is one of these cities–along with Atlanta, Baltimore, Detroit, and Houston. Is everybody really leaving Pittsburgh, or is our population just changing and inaccurately counted?

Check out these resources for more information, and make sure that you are counted!

U.S. Census Bureau

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/index.php

Why Some Cities are Struggling with the Census

http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=55388

New Pittsburgh Courier: To Be Equal

http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php?id=1110:to-be-equalcoalition-calls-for-accurate-census-count-&option=com_content&catid=40:opinion&Itemid=54

Sara Dora, CLP-Hazelwood