The Census Matters

The census' importance stretches beyond a simple population count. All cities, organizations, businesses and individuals benefit from the information gathered. Listed below are just a few examples. Also check out ten reasons why you should participate in the 2010 census and how it will impact our community for the next ten years.

Census Affects Funding in Local Communities

Census data directly affects how more than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. That's more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few minutes to fill out your census form will help ensure that Mt. Pleasant gets its fair share of federal and state funding.

Census Affects your Voice in Congress

Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redistrict state legislatures.

Census Affects your Representation in State and Local Government

Census data are used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government.

Census Informs our Community's Decisions

The census is like a snapshot that helps define who we are as a nation. Data about changes in Mt. Pleasant is crucial to many planning decisions, such as where to provide services for the elderly, where to build new roads and schools, or where to locate job training centers.

Still Not Convinced? Here are 50 Ways Census Data Affects Communities

• Decision making at all levels of government.
• Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts.
• Attracting new businesses to state and local areas.
• Distributing billions in federal funds and even more in state funds.
• Forecasting future transportation needs for all segments of the population.
• Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services.
• Forecasting future housing needs for all segments of the population.
• Directing funds for services for people in poverty.
• Designing public safety strategies.
• Development of rural areas.
• Analyzing local trends.
• Estimating the number of people displaced by natural disasters.
• Developing assistance programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
• Creating maps to speed emergency services to households in need of assistance.
• Delivering goods and services to local markets.
• Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, or children.
• Planning future government services.
• Planning investments and evaluating financial risk.
• Publishing economic and statistical reports about the United States and its people.
• Facilitating scientific research.
• Developing “intelligent” maps for government and business.
• Providing proof of age, relationship, or residence certificates provided by the Census Bureau.
• Distributing medical research.
• Reapportioning seats in the House of Representatives.
• Planning and researching for media as backup for news stories.
• Providing evidence in litigation involving land use, voting rights, and equal opportunity.
• Drawing school district boundaries.
• Planning budgets for government at all levels.
• Spotting trends in the economic well-being of the nation.
• Planning for public transportation services.
• Planning health and educational services for people with disabilities.
• Establishing fair market rents and enforcing fair lending practices.
• Directing services to children and adults with limited English language proficiency.
• Planning urban land use.
• Planning outreach strategies.
• Understanding labor supply.
• Assessing the potential for spread of communicable diseases.
• Analyzing military potential.
• Making business decisions.
• Understanding consumer needs.
• Planning for congregations.
• Locating factory sites and distribution centers.
• Distributing catalogs and developing direct mail pieces.
• Setting a standard for creating both public and private sector surveys.
• Evaluating programs in different geographic areas.
• Providing genealogical research.
• Planning for school projects.
• Developing adult education programs.
• Researching historical subject areas.
• Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans.