This week, residents across the United States will be seeing something that comes in the mail once every ten years.  US census forms will be sent out to the majority of American households over the course of this week and the US Census Bureau is trying to make sure every person is counted.

The more than 120 million households that receive the 10-question 2010 Census form by mail represent about 90 percent of all residential addresses in the country. Census workers last week started hand-delivering census forms to another 9 percent of addresses in areas where many households lack traditional city-style postal addresses. Hand-delivery of 2010 Census forms is also occurring along hurricane-affected areas of the Gulf Coast. Less than 1 percent of households are in areas where it’s more efficient for census takers to conduct census interviews rather than drop-off and require mail-back of the form.

“Results from the 2010 Census will be used to help each community get its fair share of government funds for highways, schools, health facilities, and many other programs you and your neighbors need,” said U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves in a letter released last week.  “Without a complete, accurate census, your community may not receive its fair share.”

The results will also help distribute congressional seats to states and help determine what community resources are to be provided.

Census bureau officials say the form takes about ten minutes to complete.

For more information about the 2010 Census, visit the website http://2010.census.gov/