By Warren Savage, Executive Director, Santee Chamber of Commerce

The United States Census has been conducted every decade since 1790. This constitutionally mandated census is conducted to determine the number of persons living in the continental United States as well as its tributaries and territories. The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every ten years and is a count of everyone residing in the United States: all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. All residents must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens.

In 2010, the U.S. Census will define who we are as a nation and a community. Taken every ten years, the census affects political representation and directs the allocation of billions of dollars in government funding.