Next year, 2010, is a big one for the U.S. Census Bureau as the agency sets out to count 310 million Americans and 145 million households.

Work, in fact, is well underway to lay the foundation for the big count. On April 9,  250 “listers” were launched across the Pikes Peak region to begin the process of locating every house in the area on a digital map, using Global Positioning System satellite navigation technology.

You may see them in your neighborhood any day. Recognize them by their Census I.D. badges, their handheld computer/GPS devices and tote bags emblazoned with U.S. Census Bureau logos. Here is a photo of a lister supplied by the Census Bureau.

The computer/GPS device will allow the federal government to pinpoint the location of every house in the nation. Here’s a closer look in a Census Bureau photo.

The address canvassing will take a couple months, wrapping up in June. Then the Census bureau will begin hiring enumerators to collect more detailed information once the official 2010 Census questionnaires are mailed next spring.

Here is a link if you are interested in applying for a job.

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