Utah gears up for Census
At the same time, it is encouraging Utahns to stand up and be counted in the census next year to ensure Utah receives its fair share of funding.
"These are good-paying jobs, flexible hours, and you are able to work close to home. And I'm tempted to put my application in," said Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert at the grand opening Tuesday of the Salt Lake City Census office.
The once-every-10-years census will be conducted on April 1, 2010. But preparations are now under way. The bureau is in the process of hiring 1,000 temporary workers to check addresses beginning in April for about three months to verify and build mailing lists for the census.
Those interested may apply by calling toll-free, 866-861-2010. Applicants need a driver's license, must undergo a background check and need to take a short test on basic skills. People who are bilingual are especially sought.
The Census Bureau also is trying to educate the public about the upcoming count and build support for it. The bureau used Tuesday's grand opening to help with speeches by local politicians, religious leaders and academics.
He noted that the federal government uses results to distribute more than $300 billion to communities nationwide each year, so residents should realize that "filling out the questionnaire is like writing a check to my community."
The census also helps decide a state's power by determining how many members it will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. If Utah had just another 80 people counted during the 2000 Census, it would have picked up a fourth House seat. Instead, the last-available House seat went to North Carolina. That came while many Utahns did not respond to the census that year.
"With a short-form-only census this time, our challenge is to raise our response rate (in Utah) from 68 percent to over 70 percent," Hellfritz said.
Herbert added that Utah was the fastest-growing state in the nation in recent years according to surveys, so he hopes all Utahns will participate and be counted to help bring the state a deserved growing share of federal funding based on population. He and others noted that information provided to the census is confidential.
Recent comments
I've tried calling the local number three times so far and all I got...
Frustrated | Jan. 14, 2009 at 9:10 a.m.
I do indexing for the LDS church, it is very interesting to see the...
MoJules | Jan. 13, 2009 at 11:15 p.m.
This article doesn't even mention that the US Census is required by...
Mr. Dave | Jan. 13, 2009 at 10:39 p.m.
- A quiet turnover for ABC News 12:20 p.m.
- Drive for geothermal power heats up 12:17 p.m.
- Traders face questions this week 12:14 p.m.
- 'Blind Side' eclipses 'New Moon' 12:11 p.m.
- Iran chokes off Internet 12:07 p.m.
- Obama-mania lives on in Europe 11:58 a.m.
- Missing DNA can promote obesity 11:54 a.m.
- Former Flash center suffers stroke 11:46 a.m.
- Chavez ally's bro. linked to scandal 11:37 a.m.
- Jobless vie for holiday sales work 11:30 a.m.
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- Snowy roads cause accidents, delays
- George lost in rivalry hatefest
- Tiger's SUV, personal life are a wreck
- BYU basketball: Cougars crush Dons
- Utahns want health care reform bills
- Kurt Bestor: Joy for the world
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
312 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
249 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
202 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
128 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
110 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - Harpring's NBA career is over
94 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
93
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
By the way Deseret News... After that lengthy survey you asked so many of...
Well, my thing is that you can take all the risks you like, but leave the...
Huh? What are you talking about? Wide said either bowl would be great....
Fewer sharks means safer swimming, scuba diving and surfing. What do care...
I'll bet a million bucks that Brett gets his information from the right wing...
The author put in the article that all of these young men had served their...
Tiger Woods to change his first name to........"Cheetah"
Come on, Gary, give it up already.
Get off this topic. It's old already.
Against the Pacers. It sets up a tough week with San Antonio, L.A. and...


