The United States Census is coming soon, and to conduct the 2010 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau will hire hundreds of thousands of census takers over the next two years.

If that seems like a lot, consider that those census takers will count millions of people spread out over more than 2.4 billion acres.

It all begins in October, when the Census Bureau will recruit for the Address Listing operation. This is the process by which the addresses in the census records are updated. New addresses are added and ones that no longer exist are deleted, resulting in a complete list of addresses to which census forms will be mailed in early 2010.

If you’re ready to apply, the Census is primarily looking for US citizens, 18 years of age or older, with a valid Social Security number. In some cases, citizenship may be waived, such as when bilingual ability is required and no US citizens are available. Also, you will have to pass a background check and complete a written test of basic skills, such as reading, working with numbers, and interpreting information. Then you’re all set.

The decennial (every 10 years) census is an important source of information. Census data are used to determine representation in government and to help direct funding for projects such as roads and other community needs. So, it’s important to make sure that you and your community are accurately accounted for. The Census Bureau is counting on people just like you to help get the job done.

To contact the Census Bureau, call 1-866-861-2010 or visit them on the Internet at www.2010censusjobs.gov.

— from staff reports