The 2010 Census questionnaire arrived at households throughout North Carolina during March and for those who didn’t fill it out, there is still time before the census taker comes knocking.

Census Bureau officials are asking that North Carolinians open the 10-question form, fill it out and mail it back immediately in the provided, postage-paid envelope. This is the easiest way to participate in the census that takes place every decade, as required by the U.S. Constitution.

“Every North Carolina resident should fill out and return their census questionnaires. It’s easy, it’s important and it’s secure,” said N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue. “An accurate count of our population is critical for the future of North Carolina. As a fast-growing state, we must count everyone to get our fair share of the billions of federal dollars distributed each year based on the census.”

Census results are important. They are used to determine each state’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redraw state and local voting districts. More than $400 billion in federal funds is distributed annually through state, local and tribal governments to communities each year based on population data.The funds go for such things as schools, hospitals, transportation projects, roads, job training programs and emergency-response tools.

“If the people of North Carolina complete the census form and return it quickly, then we won’t have to go out, knock on doors, and collect the information,” said William W. Hatcher, regional director for the U.S. Census Bureau. “Returning completed questionnaires saves taxpayer money and increases the likelihood of a full count. That translates into political power and needed federal funding for the state.”

Hatcher noted that for every 1 percentage point increase in mail returns of the census form, taxpayers save about $85 million in cost of sending census takers door-to-door to collect census information.

The census is safe; federal law protects personal census information. Title 13 of the U.S. Code prohibits sharing personal data with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. Census employees are sworn to secrecy for life and face a fine of up to $250,000 and/or five years imprisonment for violating the oath. Federal law requires census participation.

For help in completing the census form, call the toll-free Telephone Questionnaire Help Line at 1-866-872-6868. Spanish speakers can call 1-866-928-2010. Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QACs) also are opening across the state to assist people. The U.S. Census Bureau is also taking measures to ensure public safety

As the 2010 Census unfolds, the U.S. Census Bureau is emphasizing that safety for the public, as well as census employees, is top priority.

“It’s important that people know how to identify a sworn census taker so they can protect themselves from frauds and scammers,” said Hatcher. “As our 2010 Census operations kick into high gear, we want to protect the people of the nation while we are asking their cooperation.”

In some places, such as very rural areas and mountain and beach resorts with seasonal housing, census takers already are going door-to-door. For most areas, however, the door-to-door census taking begins May 1 and will continue through July.

Hatcher listed several ways people can identify census employees during the 2010 Census. Sworn Census Bureau employees will:

Wear official identification badges with the words:

“U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,” the name of census taker and the words “U.S. CENSUS BUREAU.” A census taker might also carry a black bag with the words “U.S. CENSUS BUREAU” written on it.

•Provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the local census office telephone number upon request.

•Ask only about the questions that appear on the 2010 Census form. You can find these questions by going to www.2010census.gov.

•Not ask for donations, bank account numbers, the amount of money you have in the house, Social Security numbers or credit card numbers.

•Not contact you by e-mail, although they might telephone you in some cases.

•Not ask about citizenship status.

The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The 2010 Census form is one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the respondents and the information they provide.