Why is a Census important?

Census data is used to inform decision makers on how the community is changing and what the needs are. Approximately $300 billion in federal funding is distributed to communities each year. Each person counted represents $826/year in Federal funding over 10 years.

Over 200 agencies make their funding allocations based on Census data. Some of the areas where Census data is used to allocate funds are:

- Title 1 grants to educational agencies
- Head start programs
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Public Transportation
- Road rehabilitation and construction
- Emergency food and shelter

Population totals from the decennial Census determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives, the totals are also used to redraw the legislative districts.

City and County of Denver Complete Count Committee

The purpose of the formation of the Complete Count Committee (CCC) is to increase the Census questionnaire mail-back response rate through focused structured, neighbor-to-neighbor program outreach. By bringing together a cross-section of community members who will focus on the 2010 Census awareness, we will be able to utilize the local knowledge, expertise and influence of each Complete Count Committee member in order to design and implement a Census awareness campaign targeted to the community.