2010 Census

 Local Mail Participation Rates

Be counted in the 2010 Census because you count
• Didn't get a 2010 Census form? It's not too late to be counted! You can call the Questionnaire Assistance line at 1-866-872-6868 and give your answers over the phone. Don't be left out of the count for Palm Springs.

Census workers will be in the field from May 1 through July 10 conducting interviews with addresses from which a form was not received. If no one answers at a particular residence, a Census taker will visit a home up to three times and attempt to reach the household by phone three times. The Census worker will leave a double-sided (English and Spanish) NOTICE of VISIT in the doorway that includes a phone number for the resident to schedule an appointment

How to identify a Census worker
• All Census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name. You also may ask them for a picture ID from another source to confirm their identity. Additionally, they will be carrying black canvas bags marked "U.S. Census Bureau.”
A Census taker will never ask to enter your home.
If you're still not certain about their identity, please call the local Census office in Palm Springs at 760-992-3140.
Your privacy and confidentiality is a priority. The Census taker who collects your information is sworn for life to protect your data, or face criminal penalties.
If a Census taker comes to your home, please open your door. By being counted in the 2010 Census, you are standing up for what our community's needs are.

10 simple questions
• This year’s Census form is only 10 questions. The questions ask for such information as your name, sex, age, date of birth, race and whether you own or rent your residence. You’ll be filling in the form to account for everyone living at your address as of April 1, 2010.

Your participation means more money for our community
• Each of the 10 questions helps to determine how more than $400 billion in federal funds will be allocated to communities across the country for things like, hospitals, schools, senior centers, public works projects and emergency services. For example, the Palm Springs Public Works Department received about $2 million for projects last fiscal year based on the City’s population. Palm Springs also receives Community Development Block Grant funding – federal money allocated based on the City’s population. This past fiscal year we received $499,996. 

Your answers become important statistics
• The information you provide on the Census questionnaire is used to produce statistics. Businesses use this data to locate supermarkets, shopping centers, new housing and other facilities. Additionally, Census information affects the number of seats California occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives.
When you do the math, it's easy to see what an accurate count of residents can do for Palm Springs -- better infrastructure, additional services and more opportunities. 

Federal law protects your identity and the information you give
• The answers you provide on the Census form become statistical information. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, -- not the IRS, not the FBI, not the CIA -- not with any other government agency including immigration and law enforcement. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. The Census does not ask about the legal status of respondents or their Social Security numbers. The Census aims to count all U.S. residents—citizens and non-citizens alike.

For more information, please call the local Census office in Palm Springs, 760-992-3140 or go to www.2010census.gov.