U.S. Census 2010 Timetable
March 2007
Census Bureau submits proposed questions to be asked in 2010 Census short form and 2010 American Community Survey to Congress.
March 2008
Census Bureau finalizes questions to be asked in 2010 Census short form and 2010 American Community Survey.
October 2008
Opening of 15 Early Local Census Offices (ELCOs). Local census offices will serve as the home base for conducting 2010 Census activities, including hiring workers to conduct address canvassing and nonresponse follow-up.
January—April 2009
Census Bureau partnership staff begins recruitment of 2010 Census partners. 2009 Boundary and Annexation Survey (annual), designed so local entities can review names and geographic relationships for their areas.
February 2009
Focus groups conducted nationwide on communications strategy.
March - September 2009
Census Bureau field staff validate all address lists and maps.
April 1, 2009
One year to 2010 Census.
April—June 2009
Census Bureau partners announce 2010 Census partnership to key audiences. Census Bureau partnership staff: Organize regional kick-off events; continue partnership recruitment efforts; coordinate regional partner briefings; coordinate state/local "complete count committee" launch events; provide outreach to congressional representatives; conduct ongoing partner outreach.
April—June 2009
Address canvassing conducted.
August—December 2009
Release of 2008 American Community Survey results and 3-year estimates (2006-2008) for communities and population groups of 20,000 or more.
October 2009
Opening of remaining local census offices.
October 2009—April 2010
Recruitment of census takers.
January 2010
2010 Census count begins in remote Alaskan villages.
January—April 2010
2010 Boundary and Annexation Survey (annual), designed so local entities can review names and geographic relationships for their areas.
January—June 2010
Paid campaign advertising 2010 Census.
February 2010
U.S. Postal Service delivers advance letter announcing 2010 Census.
March 2010
U.S. Postal Service delivers initial 2010 Census questionnaires.
March—May 2010
Complete count committee's "call to action" activities.
April 1, 2010: CENSUS DAY
Information collected on 2010 Census questionnaires should represent households and populations as of this date.
May—July 2010
Census takers visit homes that do not return questionnaires.
August—December 2010
Census Bureau conducts Coverage Measurement Survey to evaluate accuracy of census count. Census Bureau recognizes and thanks partners. Release of 2009 American Community Survey results, including 3-year estimates (2007-2009) for communities and population groups of 20,000 or more and 5-year estimates (2005-2009) of all areas and population groups.
September—December 2010
Closing of 2010 local census offices.
Dec. 31, 2010
Deadline for delivery of official population count to President Obama, along with resulting apportionment of U.S. House of Representatives for next 10 years.
January 2011
President gives apportionment to Clerk of the House of Representatives, who issues certificate to each state governor showing the state's number of seats.
April 1, 2011
National Summary File of Redistricting Data (PL 94-171): Deadline for Census Bureau to provide 2010 population counts for all standard census tabulation areas (e.g., states, Congressional districts, American Indian areas, counties, cities, etc., down to census block level).
April 2011—September 2013
Tabulation and release of 2010 Census Short Form products (to be determined).
June—August 2011
Release of Summary File 1 (SF1).
August—December 2011
Release of 2010 American Community Survey data, including 3-year estimates (2008-2010) for places and population groups of 20,000 or more, and 5-year estimates (2006-2010) for all areas and groups.
September—December 2011
Closing of 2010 Regional Census Centers and Puerto Rico Area Office.
January 2013
Release of Congressional District Summary File (113th Congress): Retabulation of Summary File 1 (SF1) for newly redrawn Congressional districts.
June 2013
Release of State Legislative District Summary File: Retabulation of Summary File 1 (SF1) for newly drawn State Legislative districts.