Census day is fast approaching and work is underway to ensure that all Peoria residents are counted! The data collected is vital to the community because it determines the number of Congressional seats, as well as the annual distribution of $400 billion in federal funds to local and state governments. That is more than $4 trillion over the next ten years.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the community stands to lose $300 to $1,000 each year, for the next ten years, for every person not counted in the Census. This in turn affects funding to programs like Head Start, Title I Grants to education agencies, Community Development Block Grants, Emergency Shelter Programs, and many more.

Your participation is extremely important and it is crucial that all individuals living in the home be included on the Census form. Currently, 18% of the City's operating budget, approximately $20 million annually, is based on the population count generated by the Census. When two Special Censuses were conducted in 2004 and 2007, it resulted in 8,455 additional persons counted and generated $4,173,760 in new net revenue to the City through 2010.

Taking 10 minutes to fill out the 10 questions on the Census Questionnaire will lead to better healthcare, better schools, better roads, better public transportation, better community services, and more! Peoria is Counting on you ... be counted!