Message from Mayor Dan Hollingsworth

Never before has Census Count been so important.  Counting everyone helps ensure a bright future for you and our community!  Please be sure you are counted!   Be sure other members of your family and relatives are counted.  If you have shut-in neighbors, friends, or family…please help them through this Census Count process. Please share the importance of this process through your church…your civic clubs…or service organizations as soon as possible!  If you have any questions…call the U.S. Census Bureau at (800) 923-8282.  Being counted is one of the most important things we can do.

10 QUESTIONS TO DEFINE OUR NATION
On April 1, 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the 23rd decennial census of the United States. As part of that effort, the City of Ruston is assisting in coordinating local efforts to make sure each resident of Ruston is counted. Please visit this page to keep up with local events, news and other items of interest about the 2010 Census.

Census Form  

CURRENT CENSUS NEWS...
         
WHY SHOULD I BE COUNTED?

Your Local Government Representatives
The boundaries of the City Alderman Districts and of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury Districts will both be reapportioned based on the 2010 Census count.  Where you vote and which district your property will be assigned to will be based on the 2010 Census counts.
 
Congressional Representation
Information collected by the Census is first used to determine congressional representation. The number of representatives a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives is based on population. Each congressional district represents about 650,000 people. It is important to have an accurate count to ensure that local areas have adequate representation at the federal level .
 
Federal Funding
States and cities receive federal funding, like the Community Development Block Grant, based on information collected by the Census. Different funds can be obtained for park development, sidewalk and utility repairs, and other municipal services that help us maintain Ruston’s high quality of life.
           
City Services
The City uses Census information to estimate future municipal service needs. Information from the Census provides baseline data to project future water needs, sewer capacity, police and fire personnel, and other essential services provided by the City.
 
Local Growth and Development
The information collected by the Census is also valuable to our local business community. It provides information that businesses and entrepreneurs use to decide how to best leverage themselves in the Ruston market. Census information about population and income are used by businesses to make decisions about locating in the City of Ruston.