November 18, 2009 > Census 2010 in Newark Census 2010 in Newark By Meenu Gupta Photos By Meenu Gupta The US Census counts every resident in the United States and, constitutionally, must take place every 10 years. The next census is in 2010. Elaine Bolden, from the U.S. Census Bureau, accepted a proclamation from the City of Newark. An accurate count of residents translates to better infrastructure and more services. Census information is used to distribute Congressional seats to states, decide what community services to provide and distribute $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments annually. It also helps determine where to locate schools, day-care centers, senior centers, hospitals and other facilities. The Census informs decision-makers to grow their businesses and create jobs. The data is used to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, market research and locate skilled workers. Census information is strictly confidential. According to Federal Law, no public or private agency can gain access to the data. The 2010 Census Form will be mailed to households in March 2010. On arrival, citizens are asked to answer 10 short questions and return the form to the Census Bureau in the postage-paid envelope provided to arrive by April 1, 2010, or Census Day. "Anything we can do to ensure everyone has that form, completes it and sends it back will make a big difference for the residents and to the funding that will come back to the City of Newark," said Bolden.