You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve read the headlines. You’ve maybe even received something in the mail.

But are you ready for the 2010 census?

Pulaski Countians have already started getting their census forms, as mailing began last Friday, according to local census office manager Althea Francis.

“By the end of this week,” she said, “they should all be out in the mail.”

It’s a big year for the census in Somerset; it marks the first time in the 220-year history of the census that an office has been based in Somerset.

The office covers a wide swath of southeastern Kentucky, 24, counties in all, and the census process began early in some of those. Clinton, McCreary, Rock-castle and Wayne counties have seen their census forms go out over the last three weeks, including hand-delivery.

So what should those receiving census forms expect? While some may find the whole thing to be a bit daunting, or worry that that the questions may be a bit too probing, Francis seeks to assure the public that the process is positively painless.

“It’s pretty simple,” she said. “This is the shortest questionnaire we’ve ever had.”

Francis described the form as being containing only 10 questions — “It takes approximately 10 minutes or less” — and doesn’t have any names on it, just an address. It asks for the resident at the location to which the form has been mailed to verify the address, then will asks for that individual’s name, age, ethnic background and race, and will then inquire as to the nature of his or her relationship with the other people at the residence. If there are any others at that location, they should then give the same information as the primary occupant.

There’s no reason to fear for your privacy: Francis said all census employees take a confidentiality oath. Furthermore, census data isn’t personal — it’s compiled and sent off separated to different organizations as appropriate.

For instance, one set of information will be examined to get an idea of how many houses there are in Pulaski County, versus how many duplexes, trailers, or other types of residences. Someone else will take stock of how many school-age children there are, to ascertain ideal classroom sizes, whether more schools should be built or eliminated, and other similar issues.

“Basically, it’s asking the question, ‘What will be needed in the next 10 years?’” said Francis.

Although citizens are encouraged to return their census forms “as soon as possible,” the actual questions refer to what’s accurate as of April 1.

“For instance, (referring to) college students: Do we count them at college or at home?” noted Francis. “Where do they reside on April 1?”

If questionnaires are not sent back in a timely fashion, a follow-up postcard will be distributed, offering a polite reminder to complete your form. If you have questions and need some help filling out the survey, you can call a toll-free number (1-866-861-2010) or visit a questionnaire assistance center.

Such centers are located at the county judge-executive’s office, St. Mildred’s Catholic Church, the Dunbar Intergenerational Center on South Maple Street, and at the Shopville and Burnside libraries. Stop and in and ask someone for help filling out your form if you’re unsure about anything on it.

The United States census is conducted every 10 years and provides a snapshot of households in America. Besides producing statistics through the decades about average family size, median income levels, and poverty levels, census data also helps determine the number of congressional seats for each state and the shape of legislative and local government districts. The federal government also distributes more than $400 billion annually to state, local and tribal governments based on census data.

Officials expect to count 310 million people in the 2010 census.

It’s a big task, and more help is needed here in this area to accomplish it. In December and January, the local census office was reporting a shortage of census worker applicants, and Francis said she still only has about half of what she needs.

As such, jobs are still available, and the census office is still taking applications and doing testing, at least through the first week of April.

“The test has 28 questions, and it takes less than half an hour to complete,” Francis explained. “It covers things like basic math and alphabetizing. ... You don’t have to score 100 percent.”

A sample test is available via mail or online at www.2010censusjobs .gov.