By now you have probably received the 2010 U.S. Census forms in the mail. The census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. Participation is mandatory.

The information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding is spent each year on infrastructure and services like:

• Hospitals
• Job training centers
• Schools
• Senior centers
• Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
• Emergency services

The data collected by the census also helps determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

For more information visit 2010.census.gov.