Every1 Counts in Troutman

The Town of Troutman became a partner with the US Census Bureau on May 14, 2009 after Mayor Elbert H. Richardson signed a Proclamation of Support for the 2010 Census. By becoming a partner, the Town of Troutman acknowledges that getting an accurate head count "is vital to our community and residents' well-being by helping planners determine where to locate schools, day-care centers, roads and public transportation, hospitals and other facilities, and is used to make decisions concerning business growth and housing needs."

Community Planner, Erika G. Martin is serving as coordinator for Troutman's Complete Count Committee and as liaison between the Town and the US Census Bureau. The focus of Troutman's Complete Count Committee is to educate every resident on the importance of participating in the 2010 Census. The US Census is mandated by the US Constitution to occur every 10 years. An ongoing message of the US Census is, "It's safe, it's easy, and it's important."

It is safe. An example of just how confidential an individual's answers are is in 1953 the Secret Service requested information from the Census Bureau to do background checks on residents living in the proposed relocation area for President Truman during White House renovations. However, because census data are absolutely confidential--even to the President--the request was denied.

It is easy. In the past there has been a lengthy form, the 2010 Census will only have 10 simple questions.The long form is now part of the annual American Community Survey that only a small portion of the population will receive.

It is important. 300 billion dollars of federal and state funding are distributed to communities and states every year based on census data. Census data are used for everything from attracting new businesses to reapportioning seats in the House of Representatives.

Interested in Helping?

The 2010 Troutman Complete Count Committee is seeking volunteers to be committee members. If you are interested in participating, please call Erika Martin, Community Planner, at 704-508-3012 or e-mail planning@townoftroutman.org.

More Information

Click on the links below.

US Census Website: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

NC Census Website: http://www.osbm.state.nc.us/ncosbm/facts_and_figures/census/nc2010/