Governor Rounds Encourages Return of Census Forms

Press Release

Gov. Mike Rounds encourages South Dakotans to complete and return their 2010 Census questionnaires.

"Census information helps keep track of the changing population of not only South Dakota but the entire nation," the Governor said. "An accurate census count every 10 years is vital to the state and its many communities."

A complete count helps to make sure that states and communities receive their fair share of federal funding for services such as health care, job training, education and roads.

More than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to states and communities, based in part on census data.

About 72 percent of census forms were returned in the 2000 Census, and officials hope to improve upon that this year.

The 10-question census form is one of the shortest in history. It asks a person's name, address, phone number, age, race and ethnicity, gender, living arrangements and home ownership.

Individual census information is confidential under federal law.

The Census Bureau seeks return of the 2010 questionnaires between March 15 and April 15.

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