San Marcos — The United States Bureau of the Census Bureau is counting heads this month, and it hopes to count the majority of them by mail.

Returning Census 2010 forms by mail saves you and me money.  It costs the Census Bureau 42 cents to receive a completed form mailed in a postage-paid envelope.  The Census Bureau will spend about $25 per person when a census worker has to visit the homes of those who fail to mail in their census forms.

The 2010 Census Form is just 10 questions, such as name, sex, age, date of birth, race, household relationship and whether you own or rent your home.  The census does not ask about the legal status of respondents or their Social Security numbers.

Until April 1, Census Day, Texans will be inundated by media messages urging them to return their 2010 Census forms, but the message is so important it needs repeating.  If Texas does not get a complete census count, the state will suffer the consequences of an undercount for the next decade.

Every 10 years, census population figures are used by states to redraw legislative and congressional districts.  Undercounts could cost Texas an additional congressional seat.  Because Texas has experienced a population growth that is almost double that of the entire United States, our state may gain as many as four additional congressional seats for a total of 36, giving Texas the second largest number of seats in Congress.

Texas’ current population exceeds 24 million.  It could easily surpass 25 million this year, with urban counties experiencing the most growth.

While knowing the number of people there are in Texas is important, knowing where they are is important, too.  Federal funding allocations for roads, schools, health care and a variety of programs will be determined by census data.  Although it is difficult to put a monetary amount on what undercounting could cost Texas, estimates range from $40 million to as much as $1 billion.

In addition to census data’s being critical for redistricting and funding, the data also is vital to Texas’ economic development.  Census data provides businesses, consultants and market researchers with critical, once-a-decade information for estimates, projections and forecasts.

The Office of Economic Development uses census data to analyze and compare geographic locations for businesses interested in moving to or investing in Texas.  Information about commuting patterns, available labor supply and population help entrepreneurs and established companies make decisions about location and marketing.

Although the Census Bureau may release cumulative figures, it may not share an individual’s answers with anyone, including the IRS, the FBI, the Immigration and Naturalization Service or law enforcement.  Answers are protected by law.

When you receive your form by mail, please take 10 minutes to fill it out, and mail it back.  Remember, when it is time to be counted, count on the U.S. Mail.

          

Jeff Wentworth is state senator for District 25.