Associated Press - October 26, 2009 7:05 AM ET

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Salt Lake County will kick off a public awareness campaign to encourage residents to participate in the 2010 census.

Mayor Peter Corroon, the Utah Food Bank and other civic groups will come together Thursday to launch the campaign.

In 2000, just 68 percent of Salt Lake County residents responded to census inquiries.

The goal of the census is to count every person in the United States by April 1, 2010.

Census data determines which states gain and lose representation in Congress and influences the distribution of money for schools, roads and public services.

The 10-question survey from the U.S. Census Bureau will be sent to residents in March.

On the Net:

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

http://www.co.slc.ut.us/

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