The U.S. Census Bureau sent out notices this week that the 2010 Census forms should be expected in the mail next week, and requesting recipients to fill them out and mail them back as soon as possible.

The Bureau is asking all of America to “Take 10,” to take 10 minutes to answer the 10 questions and mail back their forms when they arrive in mailboxes March 15-17.

 In the advance notice, Bureau Director Robert Graves stresses the importance of widespread participation.

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“Results from the 2010 Census will be used to help each community get its fair share of government funds for highways, schools, health facilities and many other programs you and your neighbors need,” he wrote. “Without a complete, accurate census, your community may not receive its fair share.”

The forms include only 10 questions designed to help paint a picture of the local population.

The initial questions are basic. The first asks how many people will live at the residence on April 1. The second asks if there will be any additional people staying at the residence on that date.

The third census question asks if the residence is owned with a mortgage, owned without a mortgage, rented or occupied without rent. According to the Bureau, home ownership rates serve as an indicator of the nation’s economy. That information is also used to administer housing programs and to inform planning decisions.

The form next asks for a telephone number in case the Bureau needs to contact a respondent for incomplete or missing information.

Number five asks for the names of every person living at the residence. That question is reportedly intended to help respondents remember anybody in the household that they might not have initially counted, and to help the Bureau more specifically address any additional missing data. The confidentiality of personal information, including names, is protected by federal law.

The sixth question, asked since 1790, asks for the gender, or sex, of residents. That information can help inform federal programs that must differentiate between males and females for funding to implement and evaluate their programs. As an example, laws that promote equal employment opportunity for women require census data on gender. Sociologists, economists and other researchers who analyze social and economic trends also use that data, according to the Bureau.

The seventh question asks for the age and date of birth of residents. Federal, state and local governments need data about age to determine such things as the number of people eligible for Social Security or Medicare benefits. The data is widely used in planning and evaluating government programs and policies that provide funds or services for specific age groups such as children or the older population.

Number eight asks if residents are of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin. The data collected in this question is needed by federal agencies to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as under the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State and local governments may also use the data to help plan and administer bilingual programs for people of Hispanic origin.

Question nine asks the residents’ race. According to the Bureau, race is key to implementing many federal laws and is needed to monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State governments use the data to determine congressional, state and local voting districts. Race data is also used to assess fairness of employment practices, to monitor racial disparities in areas such as  health and education, and to plan and obtain funds for public services.

Number 10 asks if the respondent sometimes lives or stays somewhere other than the noted residence. That question is reportedly designed to help the Bureau ensure response accuracy and completeness, and to enable it to contact respondents whose forms have incomplete or missing information.