We are four months from one of the most historic censuses in U.S. history. The major theme of this census: The historic racial changes in 21st century America.

The census story now well under way will continue through May 2011 and beyond. We suggest that you create a three-part coverage plan:

1. Covering the Count. The story now to July 2010.
2. What’s at stake? The winners and losers. December 2010 - May 2011.
3. The real census story. The kids. April 2011 to the future.

The 2010 census is a big deal because it will probably make clear that the U.S. will become a majority minority nation in our lifetime. Yes, I know, in December the Census Bureau put the date at 2050. But, 47 percent of the kids under 5 in this country now are minorities. That’s the important number.

 Covering the Count

Paul Overberg, who guides USA TODAY’s extensive census coverage, made these suggestions at a 2010 census seminar for journalists at the University of Michigan in October 2009.

• Right now you need to report on how your community will be counted. Has a Census office opened in your community?
• Local nonprofits are playing a huge role in marketing the 2010 census because of shrinking city and state budgets. Who are these groups around your community? The Census Bureau will tell you.
• Who might be missed? Newspapers in Detroit and Syracuse New York are already telling their snowbirds, to report their address in the Northeast and not their temporary Southern addresses. Why? Because these areas are oozing population and, therefore, might lost an all-important seat in the U.S. Congress.

The census was created in 1790 to reapportion the U.S. Congress every 10 years.

Some California and western newspapers are reporting on the difficulty of counting immigrants especially those who are undocumented.

• Response Rates. The Census bureau has promised to publish daily response rates for local communities so you can check on how your community is doing and how it compares to neighboring jurisdictions. This is a great device for your Web site.

What’s at stake?

What are the new power equations in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures? Dec. 2010 — end of the state legislature sessions.

The Census Bureau releases the first state population counts in December 2010. This is the raw material for maps showing how your community has changed and for redistricting battles.

Overberg suggests these frames for coverage:

• Conflict. upstate and downstate. Politics. Race.
• What has changed? Across time. Across space from your community to your county to your state.

You can look at counties similar to yours: How does my county of 200,000 differ form the others and why?

The real story : the Kids.

The Census can predict the future of your area because demographics is destiny.

If you want to see the future, visit an elementary school. Schools are the best places to glimpse the Next America. Are a majority of the students or a near majority of them minorities?

They are your future taxpayers, workers, readers, leaders. Are minority kids graduating from high school and college? If they are not, you probably face a future tax base anchored to blue-collar wages.     

Please share with your colleagues two things you are doing to prepare for the census by commenting on this story, and we will post them on the sharing stories page.