Census 2010

When the very first decennial census was conducted in 1790, Massachusetts comprised about 10% of the nation's population. Today, we're closer two 2%. It's not that we're shrinking; rather, the rest of the country is growing faster than we are. The problem, officials say, is that our piece of the federal pie is shrinking accordingly, and it could get a whole lot smaller as result of this year's census.

What's at stake? Census participation advocates say as much as $3,ooo per person counted, and at least one Massachusetts seat in Congress.To avoid losses, governmental and non-governmental agencies are scrambling to make sure that all of the Commonwealth's historically undercounted minorities communities get counted. This week, we talk with officials and advocates on the front lines of that effort.