U. S. Census 2010

League of Women Voters^®
of La Plata County

Census2010

Enabling and educating La Plata County residents on the U.S. Census to be conducted in 2010

Upcoming Events. U.S. Census Information. LWVUS/CO Census 2010 information. LWVLPC Census 2010 information. Census 2010 News. Reference Materials. Past Events.

Upcoming Events

U.S. Census Information

*11/17/09: Click 10 Questions 10 Minutes to access the 2010 Census U.S. Gov fact sheet

*11/17/09: Click census form page 1 and census form page 2 to check out the U.S. Census Form D-61 to be used in 2010.

*9/16/09 US Census Bureau:About 2010 Census
What? Who? When? Why? Where? How?

LWVUS/CO Census 2010 information

*7/1/11 Durango Herald:Census report details housing, economic crash in county By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
Anyone who runs a business or works for one knows 2009 was a very rough year. Census numbers released Thursday show just how rough it was: La Plata County workers lost more than $66 million in paychecks from 2008 to 2009, nearly a tenth of the county's private-sector payroll.
The county had 98 fewer businesses in 2009 than in 2008. The data shows the deep effects of the housing crash. Construction companies of all sizes accounted for about half of La Plata County's business losses and the loss of 513 jobs.
The biggest drop in income came in the real estate sector, where the county's annual payroll fell from 2008's level of $24 million to less than $13 million a year later...
Tough times:
Annual payroll
La Plata 2008 + $736,836,000 2009 + $670,477,000
Archuleta 2008 + $74,911,000 2009 + $66,566,000
San Juan 2008 + $6,689,000 2009 + $5,970,000
Montezuma 2008 + $199,978,000 2009 + $192,231,000
Dolores 2008 + $5,596,000 2009 + $5,063,000
Does not include most government and farm employees or self-employed people.
Number of businesses
La Plata 2008 + 2,472 2009 + 2,374
Archuleta 2008 + 547 2009 + 508
San Juan 2008 + 69 2009 + 69
Montezuma 2008 + 827 2009 + 784
Dolores 2008 + 52 2009 + 44
Source: U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2009

*7/1/11 Durango Herald:Census Bureau finds 300 same-sex couples in area Group: La Plata County 4th in state for proportion of families headed by same-sex partners By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
When census forms arrived in early 2010, Laura Latimer eagerly filled it out and noted that she shares a household with her wife, Ellen Paul. They married in California, but the state of Colorado does not recognize the union. The Census Bureau, however, wanted to know about it. "It was really nice to be able to acknowledge my relationship in that way," said Latimer, a Durango resident.
Latimer and Paul were among the 300 couples in the Four Corners counties of La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta, San Juan and Dolores who told the Census Bureau they are living with a same-sex partner, according to numbers released Thursday. A think tank that tracks same-sex census numbers placed La Plata County fourth in the state for the proportion of families headed by a same-sex couple. It's possible that the true number is higher, said Greg Weiss, chairman of the Four Corners Gay and Lesbian Alliance for Diversity...

*2/27/11 Durango Herald:Colorado's boomer population surges 65-and-older group growing fast By Catherine Tsai Associated Press
DENVER + Colorado isn't just gaining more people. It's gaining more people older than 65, and that could present challenges and opportunities for Colorado businesses.
From 2000 to 2010, Colorado grew an average 1.7 percent per year and now has about 5.03 million residents, according to new census figures. The number of Coloradans ages 55 to 64 grew by an annual average of 6.1 percent in that time, and now there are about 619,000 of them, state demographer Elizabeth Garner said last week.
By 2030, she predicts, there will be 1.35 million Coloradans older than 65, which would be about 1 million more than in 1990. While close to one in every eight Coloradans is 65 or older today, she projects that will start approaching one in five by 2040...

*2/24/11 Durango Herald:La Plata County population up 17% from 2000-2010 By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
La Plata County followed a similar pattern, as did the state as a whole, according to U.S. Census numbers released Wednesday. The city, county and state are more diverse.
Durango's Hispanic population grew by 44 percent since the last Census in 2000. That's double the rate of the town's overall population growth.
and 300 more American Indians moved into Durango, an increase of nearly 40 percent...

*2/3/11 Population Reference Bureau: 2010 U.S. Census Data Machine Springs Into Action by Mark Mather
On Feb. 3, 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau released the first detailed demographic data for states and local areas from the 2010 Census. Racial and ethnic characteristics of the total and voting-age populations were released for geographic areas down to the city block level.
Four states were included in this initial release: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia; data for the remaining states will be released in the coming weeks. State governments use these data to draw new congressional and state legislative district boundaries. But others will use the information to track key demographic trends during the past decade. An interactive map of the data from these four states is now available.

*4/13/10 Durango Herald:Outreach equals 2000 effort in county by Katie Burford Herald Staff Writer
In La Plata County, the return rate of the 2010 census forum as of Monday was 54 percent, compared with 57 percent at the end of the 2000 census. Durango's current rate is 59 percent compared with 66 percent overall in 2000; the rate for the state is 64 percent, compared with 73 percent in 2000.
Assistant County Manager Joanne Spina said the county's outreach efforts related to the census remain the same or greater than in 2000. "The census is doing the counting. What we're trying to do is make sure there's good community awareness about it," she said...

* 3/15/10 Letter from Mary Wilson, President, LWVUS The Final Countdown: Census 2010
The U.S. Census happens only once every 10 years - and Census 2010 is fast approaching! Across the country, individuals and families are beginning to receive their Census questionnaires. The League is dedicated to ensuring an accurate count, so we've mobilized a network of more than 300 state and local Leagues who are working in their communities to ensure broad participation. These Leagues are providing resources and getting the public involved.
Why is 2010 Census participation so important for your community? Here's what's at stake:

The distribution of $400 billion in federal funds per year to communities around the country;
Funding to build infrastructure, such as new hospitals, roads, tunnels, and schools;
Funding to improve public services, such as emergency services, job-training and senior centers;
Critical demographic data informing businesses where to invest in local economies;
Perhaps most importantly, for the next 10 years the Census will help determine how we are represented in Congress, in every state legislature, and in many local legislative bodies.

The 2010 Census is a short form with 10 questions that will take 10 minutes to complete. We need your help spreading the word that the Census is important, easy, and fair. Will you forward this message to 5 of your neighbors or friends today? The Census influences public policy decisions, and we all must do our part to see that it is accurate and inclusive. Our goal is to help eliminate any undercount, particularly in low-income and minority populations.
It's too important to miss. Fill out and mail your questionnaire by the April 1, 2010 deadline - and make sure your family and friends know what's at stake. For more information on confidentiality, language assistance, and other questions on how the Census works,click here.
Sincerely,
Mary G. Wilson President, LWVUS
P.S. Already been counted? Visit our Facebook page and tell us about your Census experience.

*3/11/10 LWVUS Leaders Update : Click LWVUS Census2010 Final Countdown to read about the latest Census2010 information
*11/17/09: Click LWVUS and LWVCO Positions on Apportionment and Redistricting as discussed at the 11/17/09 LWVLPC Program Meeting on Census 2010

*4/1/09 LWV-US: 2010 CENSUS A VITAL CIVIC COUNT OF ALL AMERICANS /League of Women Voters is 2010 Census National Partner
Washington, DC: The League of Women Voters today announced its role as a national partner in the 2010 U.S. Census. The decennial count takes place one year from today. We join with the U.S. Census Bureau and other organizations in emphasizing the importance of every single resident being counted in the community in which they live, Wilson stated.
Click LWVUS4/1 to read the full announcement.

LWVLPC Census 2010 information

*LWVLPC Interim Report of Census 2010 activities from Marilyn Brown, LWVLPC Census 2010 Chair

* 3/1/10 Speakers Bureau notes related to Census 2010 by the LWVLPC Census 2010 Committee
Thank you for inviting us to your meeting today to talk about the census that is being done this year. The League of Women Voters is committed to working for a census that will be fair, full and transparent. Since we believe education is paramount to good citizenship, one way we are contributing to the census effort is by taking these opportunities to explain a bit about the census and why it is important..

* 1/17/10 Letter to Durano Herald editor: Census 2010 hiring from Marilyn Brown, LWVLPC Census2010 chair
The Census 2010 Project is now in the process of soliciting job applications from La Plata County residents to fill a pool of eligible potential census workers. As the census process progresses through the spring individuals from this pool will be offered one of several well-paying positions assisting in the effort to see that every person residing in our county as of Census Day April 1 has been counted. The League of Women Voters of La Plata County urges you to take up this challenge and help get the best possible count...

Census 2010 News

*2/27/11 Durango Herald:Colorado's boomer population surges 65-and-older group growing fast By Catherine Tsai Associated Press
DENVER + Colorado isn't just gaining more people. It's gaining more people older than 65, and that could present challenges and opportunities for Colorado businesses.
From 2000 to 2010, Colorado grew an average 1.7 percent per year and now has about 5.03 million residents, according to new census figures. The number of Coloradans ages 55 to 64 grew by an annual average of 6.1 percent in that time, and now there are about 619,000 of them, state demographer Elizabeth Garner said last week.
By 2030, she predicts, there will be 1.35 million Coloradans older than 65, which would be about 1 million more than in 1990. While close to one in every eight Coloradans is 65 or older today, she projects that will start approaching one in five by 2040...

*2/24/11 Durango Herald:La Plata County population up 17% from 2000-2010 By Joe Hanel Herald Staff Writer
La Plata County followed a similar pattern, as did the state as a whole, according to U.S. Census numbers released Wednesday. The city, county and state are more diverse.
Durango's Hispanic population grew by 44 percent since the last Census in 2000. That's double the rate of the town's overall population growth.
and 300 more American Indians moved into Durango, an increase of nearly 40 percent...

*2/3/11 Population Reference Bureau: 2010 U.S. Census Data Machine Springs Into Action by Mark Mather
On Feb. 3, 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau released the first detailed demographic data for states and local areas from the 2010 Census. Racial and ethnic characteristics of the total and voting-age populations were released for geographic areas down to the city block level.
Four states were included in this initial release: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia; data for the remaining states will be released in the coming weeks. State governments use these data to draw new congressional and state legislative district boundaries. But others will use the information to track key demographic trends during the past decade. An interactive map of the data from these four states is now available.

*4/26/10 Durango Herald:Making sense of the Census By Marilyn Brown, LWVLPC Officer
Census Day, April 1, 2010, has come and gone. Now what?...

*2/7/10 U.S. Census Bureau: 2010 Census Ad Campaign Positioned to Save Taxpayers Millions Helping Boost Mail Back Participation Rates
There has been some recent criticism about spending taxpayer money on advertising for the 2010 Census. Experience from the 2000 Census, however, shows that paid advertising can motivate people to respond to the census form by mail, while saving taxpayer dollars.
The Census Bureau projects for every one percentage point increase in the national mail back participation rate for the 2010 Census, the federal government saves $85 million in taxpayer money - it costs substantially more money to send census takers to households that fail to mail back their short 10 question form than it does to receive it by mail...

Reference Materials

*11/17/09: A 'wake-up factoid' that I took away from the LWVLPC Census 2010 meeting today:
'a typical U.S. community can lose $1.2M over a decade for every 100 persons that are not counted in the U.S. Census!'

Past Events

*2010 Census key dates are as follows:

February - March 2010: Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households
March - April 2010: Be Counted program is implemented. Census questionnaires are available at public sites for individuals who did not receive one by mail.
April 1, 2010: Census Day
May - July 2010: Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
December 31, 2010: By law, the Census Bureau delivers population counts to the President.
March 2011: By law, the Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.
* LWVLPC members are invited to an informational meeting concerning Census 2010. Please join us on Tuesday, Nov 17 from noon to 2pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 495 FLorida Rd in Durango. Bring a brown bag lunch and we will supply the coffee and cookies.
click Census 2010 meeting Nov 17 to view the flier

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: February 3, 2012 11:27 PST.

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