The U.S. Census Bureau, via Director Robert M. Groves, will conduct the first count of the 2010 Census in the Inupiat Eskimo village of Noorvik, Alaska today. The remote village north of the Arctic Circle that will be counted first in this year’s census has a population of about 700 people.

It’s necessary for Census takers to get a head start in Noorvik and other villages in remote Alaska before residents leave for hunting and fishing grounds. They also need to work in the area while the ground is still frozen, allowing access to the region by bush plane, dogsled and snowmobile.

Residents of other parts of the state, including Anchorage, Fairbanks and other larger Alaska cities will receive 2010 Census questionnaires by mail in mid-March like the rest of the country.

From 12 noon to 2p.m. Alaska time on Monday, Jan. 25, Robert M. Groves, director, U.S. Census Bureau, Ralph Lee, director, Seattle Regional Office, U.S. Census Bureau, and Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell, Alaska will hold a press conference at the Aqqaluk School in Noorvik, Alaska via live satellite. A live satellite uplink will be available during the two-hour window.

Mr. Groves will be available to the media before and following the enumeration

For more information about the 2010 Census, please visit 2010census.gov.