2010 Census count about to begin

    The national count of every resident in the U.S. is about to begin.
    In Pennsylvania, census forms will be mailed to households in the coming months. The census is taken every 10 years and is used in a variety of ways including apportioning out federal funding to cities, and to redraw legislative boundaries. One of the biggest concerns for Census officials is an under count.

    The national count of every resident in the U.S. is about to begin.

    In Pennsylvania, census forms will be mailed to households in the coming months.

    The census is taken every ten years and is used in a variety of ways including apportioning out federal funding to cities, and to redraw legislative boundaries.

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    One of the biggest concerns for Census officials is an under count.

    Appearing before a Pennsylvania House Committee, assistant regional census manager Philip Lutz pointed out the effort’s task is to count the number of people living in the United States, whether or not they’re here legally or breaking any laws.

    He says it’s sometimes difficult to convince undocumented immigrants or those with outstanding warrants to fill out forms, adding the bad economy may complicate the matter.

    Lutz: A number of people who may be losing their homes, and now they’re doubled up with relatives or friends. Who may not be living there according to local zoning laws, or maybe the landlord doesn’t know they’re in there, or the housing authority. And people are going to be reluctant to tell the government, here are all these people living in this house.

    Lutz says census officials are barred by law from sharing information with authorities or other branches of government, and will only publish statistical – and not personal – data.

    Forms will be distributed in March, and are due April 1.

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