Census 2010 and YOU: 

Why is it important for Milwaukee Residents?

By Shahn Hayes, CAV Comm. Director

Mentioning the word ‘census’ in the hood is like revealing that you are police looking for information about a crime -  No one participates.  Why is it not cool to give information that would help your community?

The census, conducted every 10 years, is the official count of every person in the country. It is done to help government divide billions of dollars in funding as well as define the political power in Congress and state legislature.

Why is it important for Milwaukee Residents?

Census will give vital information that would help solve issues such as unemployment and healthcare.  Upon completing the questionnaires that will be sent to every household in the country in March of 2010, our local government will be able to see just how much help is needed in Milwaukee.  

In Wisconsin, the estimated Census 2000 undercount was 0.7%, among the lowest in the nation.

The 2000 census revealed Milwaukee's population below 600,000 for the first time since 1940.

The 2008 population estimate for Milwaukee was 604,477.

"Nobody is expecting a good Census in 2010," the report quotes Joseph J. Salvo, New York's population division chief. "I'm not optimistic. Since the last Census we had 9/11, privacy issues, trust of government issues.

With this in mind, Campaign Against Violence vows to spread the message throughout the community about the importance of Census 2010. 

“It is each and everyone’s responsibility to organize and come to the aid of those living in poverty and affected by violence.  Because it is those living in these situations that will benefit the most,” explains Jayme Montgomery, State Director, Campaign Against Violence.

For more information and/or to volunteer your time for such an important issue such as the Census 2010, Click Here