Soon, each Redmond residence should receive a census form in the mail.

We urge you not to ignore it; the government does too. In fact, participation isn’t just important — it’s mandatory.

The decennial U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to occur every 10 years. Accurate data about how communities are changing affects area improvements, public services and planning for emergencies.

This information is also used to determine every region’s representation in government and to help direct more than $400 billion of federal funding allocated for local projects like schools, public health, highways and bridges and community-based programs.

For the State of Washington, that means $1,400 per person, per year distributed to state and local governments.

What resources does the Redmond community need going forward?

By completing and returning your census form, you help guide these funding decisions.

This month, 2010 Census forms will be delivered to 130 million addresses nationwide.

When you receive yours, just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. The form should only take 10 minutes or so to complete.

Households are asked to provide key demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of the residence; and the names, genders, ages and races of others living in the household.

Your answers are confidential and will only be used for statistical purposes. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share your responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Redmond residents did OK during the last census in 2000, with a participation rate of 63-68 percent. Nationally, the rate was 72 percent. Let’s keep the momentum going and increase those numbers.

For those who don’t mail the census form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask you the questions from the form.