CUMBERLAND — In 1790, the first U.S. census was taken. Now, every 10 years, people across the nation can look forward to answering the simple questions that dictate how much money their state, and city, will receive from the government.

In 2000, Allegany County only had a 66 percent response rate; Cumberland had only 63 percent. But for the 2010 census, the city and bureau hope to have a better turnout.

“What would happen if you only got 63 percent of your paycheck, would that be OK?” U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist Franklin Jackson asked the mayor and council at their Tuesday public meeting. “Because that's what this number represents. You only got 63 percent of your resources you have.”

Jackson said the census does make an impact and it means resources for schools, senior services and health care. In 2007, there were approximately 5.8 million people counted in Maryland and the state got approximately $5.8 billion, which averages out to a little more than $1,000 per person based on census data.

“The higher the number (of people counted), the more money you’ll get,” he said. “Each year the federal government (gives) out over $400 billion to states and municipalities based on census data and we want to ensure you get your fair share.”

But this year the government will not be sending out officials to ask residents to fill out these forms.

“Instead of getting the government to come around and saying you have to do this, that and the other, we’re asking you to take ownership,” he said. “The theme this time around is ‘it’s in our hands.’ The expression for education this time around is ‘Better education for our children ... it’s in our hands.’ Instead of going down a list, we want you to take ownership because you know what’s best (for your community) better than anyone else.”

Though some residents may be wary about filling out the forms, which will all be mail-back response forms this year, have no need to fear. Information is kept confidential for 72 years and Title 13 of the U.S. Code guarantees the bureau will not share any information given to it.

The form is a mere 10 questions that ask basic information such as age, gender, race, place of residence, how many people live in that residence and so forth. And residents no longer need to fear being that lucky household to receive the long form, which has become the American Community Survey and goes out to 3 to 4 million households during noncensus years.

Both Jackson and Mayor Lee Fiedler emphasized the importance of participating in the 2010 census.

The mayor read a proclamation that stated the city is committed in partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau in order to get a full and accurate count for the 2010 census.

“... An accurate census is vital to our community and residents’ well-being in helping planners determine where to locate schools, day care centers, homes, public transportation, hospitals and other facilities ... The 2010 census creates jobs that stimulate economic growth and decrease unemployment,” Fiedler said.

Residents of Cumberland can expect to see a letter in early March letting them know the census forms will be coming soon. In mid-March the forms will arrive, and later that month a reminder note will come asking residents to make sure they fill out the form and send it back.

“The census has an impact ... it affects reapportionment for state legislatures and congressmen and on the statistics you see everyday such as unemployment, housing, economic indicators and so on and so forth,” Jackson said. “We are just asking everyone to spread the message throughout the city that there is nothing to fear in the census and to fill out the forms and cooperate with our enumerators if they happen to knock at your door.”

For more information, or to see the latest census data, visit the Census Bureau’s Web site at www.census.gov

Contact Tess Hill at thill@times-news.com.