The U.S. Census 2010 results will provide much more information than just how many people are in the country. Image: Flickr / US Census / CC-BY
The full results of the 2010 U.S. Census have wide-ranging effects. Everything from federal funding to Congressional seats are determined by this nationwide headcount. Tuesday morning, the 2010 Census results are being announced via live webcast that starts at 11 a.m. Eastern time.
First 2010 Census results announced
The initial announcement of 2010 Census results is scheduled for Tuesday morning. These initial results will provide a basic overview of the population and distribution of United States residents. These initial results are followed closely, mostly because they determine the number of Congressional seats for each state. These 2010 Census results mean that some states will be gaining political pull, while others will be left with less. You can watch the live webcast of the 2010 Census results on the Census 2010 website.
2010 Census results come with controversy
The 2010 Census results come with a very heavy dose of controversy. The constitution requires that a full count of the citizenry of the United States be taken every 10 years. There are many people that question the fact that the U.S. Census asks questions beyond the simple number of people living in a household. The U.S. Census also takes a measurement of the ethnicity, age and relationship of people in a household. These numbers help determine how state and federal governments spend their money. This does not, however, mean that all the 2010 Census results are embraced. Some call them a violation of privacy.
Uses of 2010 Census results
The uses of Census results expand far beyond governmental entities. Census information is often used to help accurately report statistics such as home ownership and even the unemployment rate. Businesses often use census information to determine whether there is a customer base for new stores in a particular area. Census information is also used by nonprofit organizations who want to provide their services in areas that need them the most. It will take a year or more for detailed results of the 2010 Census to be released, but Tuesday’s first major release of data is sure to provide a lot of insight into the makeup of our country.
