Some community leaders say participation in this census is important because it has an economic impact.

To make sure everyone is accounted for in the United States Census 2010, cities across the state are already forming groups to help spread the word.

Some community leaders feel participation in this census is important because it has an economic impact.

"April 1, 2010 is very important to us," Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy said about Census Day 2010.

Waco is just one city in the state preparing to motivate citizens to fill out the census forms in just a few months.

Waco 2010 Census Committee Chairman Chris Gutierrez explained what the census is.

"Once every 10 years the federal government takes on this big statistical endeavor to seek out and count every single individual residing in the United States," Gutierrez said.

	To find out more
Other cities preparing for the Census: • North Texas Cities • New York

Based on the count, the government decides how to distribute federal money to communities across the nation.

Waco Police Chief Brent Stroman spoke about other ways the census is useful to citizens.

"The other things we do is, we use census track in our crime stats and there are a lot of different ways we use census information throughout the year," Stroman said.

The census analyzes the local economy which some will say is of the utmost importance.

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	Census 2010 News 8's Bonnie Gonzalez spoke to community leaders who say participation is important because it has an economic impact.

“Every business, particularly retail and service businesses are looking at how many people are in your market and where are they so I know where I would locate a business," Vice President for Economic Development with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Scott Connell said,

Connell said a lot has changed since the last count in 2000.

"It's been so long since we've done it. It's been 10 years so this will be the most accurate count the businesses will have to be able to make an analysis on our market," Connell said.

The analysis could show the Texas market has fared well during the recession compared to other states.

	Based on the count, the government decides how to distribute federal money to communities across the nation.

"If the economy is bad in certain places the folks move and go to where the jobs are and we've been very fortunate to see that," Connell said.

Connell hopes the trend will be proven if Texans do their part by putting pen to paper to represent the Lone Star State in 2010.

Census forms will be mailed or delivered to every household on March 15, 2010.