Fundamentals of the 2010 Census

The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States. Census data are used to apportion congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. An accurate count of the local population helps to ensure that communities receive a fair share of federal funding for services such as health care, education and roads.

As of April 27, 2010, Rhode Island had a 71% participation rate in the U.S. Census, which is comparably to the national participation rate of 72%. For more information and ongoing updates, including the proportion of households that have participated in mailing back the 2010 Census forms in your community, please visit the website of the 2010 U.S. Census.

Help Make Children Count

Historically, children have been undercounted in every census since the first one in 1790. Local communities rely on census information in planning for schools, child care, health care, and other critical services. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is supporting the Census Bureau's efforts to ensure that parents and child care providers count their babies and young children on their 2010 Census forms so all children can benefit tomorrow from community services.

• Read the Annie E. Casey Foundation report,
  Why are Young Children Missed So Often in the Census?
• Visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center to see how children are faring in your state or community.
• Download the toolkit featuring the popular children's cartoon character Dora the Explorer, to help spread the word among colleagues and friends.

More 2010 Census Information and Factsheets

• 2010 Census Fact Sheets on historically underrepresented groups including immigrants, minorities, young children, and people with disabilities.
• The 2010 Census: The Stakes of an Accurate Count from the Immigration Policy Center