The U.S. Census Bureau’s Chicago Regional Office has announced the selection of the Citigroup Center, located in the West Loop area of Chicago, as the site for its regional census center to support the 2010 Census.

     The center will employ nearly 250 during its peak operations in 2010. The 27,000-square-foot site will serve as the management location for the region’s 2010 Census operations. The address is 500 West Madison St., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60661.

     The census centers will be located in the same metropolitan areas as the Census Bureau’s 12 regional offices and each will oversee field operations within their region.

     “Serving as the region’s operational hub for all 2010 Census activities, the regional census centers will provide field management, recruiting, administrative, community outreach and automation support to local census offices, and a eventual temporary staff of thousands in our three-state region,” said Stanley D. Moore, regional director.

     Chicago’s region includes Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin — fifth, 15th and 20th most populated states. The Chicago office serves more than 6,400 local governments, including 11 American Indian reservations.

     The 2010 Census will have one of the shortest census questionnaires in history, dating back to the nation’s first census in 1790. Census Day is April 1, 2010. The Census Bureau will mail or deliver more than 130 million questionnaires to households in the United States. All personal information will be kept confidential.

     Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates an actual enumeration of the U.S. population for the purpose of the apportionment of congressional seats. In addition, state and local government agencies, tribal governments, businesses, academia, nonprofit organizations and members of the general public rely on Census data to make informed decisions.