Since 1970, the U.S. Census has asked about race. Forty years later, some are questioning whether surveying a topic that is sensitive for many Americans is still necessary.

Out of 10 questions on the 2010 U.S. Census, two ask respondents to mark the race of household members. Question eight asks the survey-taker if they are of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin and the next question requires a specific declaration of race.

The United States Census Bureau says “race is key to implementing many federal laws,” and will help “assess fairness of employment practices,””monitor racial disparities” and “plan and obtain funds for public services.”

Census Bureau Acting Director Tom Mesenbourg said in a statement the upcoming results will depict “an accurate portrait of our nation at the national, state and local level.”

According to a report released by the Census Bureau, estimates say minorities will become the majority by 2042 and more than half of U.S. children are expected to be minorities by 2023.

The U.S. government is set to allocate more than $400 billion to local and state governments for use on roads, schools, hospitals and job training centers based off census data. And with Boston’s population on the rise, Boston city officials hope to get an increased share of the wealth.

“Mayor [Thomas] Menino has been very clear that it is critical for all residents of the City to complete their Census forms,” said Boston Election Department Chair Geraldine Cuddyer in a press release.

She said the Census “provides critical data that determines the disbursement of federal funding for schools, heath care, housing and a myriad of other programs.”

Although many answer racial questions without hesitation, others said they wonder if these queries are necessary.

Mark Krikorian, executive director of The Center for Immigration Studies, a nonprofit organization which advocates for lower immigration, wrote in a USA Today blog post that those filling out a census should check off “some other race,” and write in “American.”

“Don’t lie in answering – that’s wrong,” he wrote. “But write in “American’ to send a message that the government should get out of the race business.”

Boston University students had mixed reactions on the subject.

“Usually when surveys or exams ask for my race, I tend to leave them blank,” said Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences freshman Chantelle Pineda. “I don’t see the importance.”

College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Victoria Hoch said she doesn’t have a problem with the question.

“The U.S. prides itself in being a melting pot,” Hoch said. “It’s an effective way of knowing the country’s ethnic groups.”

U.S. law requires all responses remain confidential, and it is illegal for Census Bureau employees to share census responses with anybody &- even the president.

Concerns about the “race question” are supplemented with unease about the counting of racial denominations in a survey-like manner.

“What if you don’t identify with one race?” Pineda asked.

For the 2010 census, there are fourteen race options to choose from as well as the option to enter another race. The U.S. Census Bureau calls its racial inquiry “self-identification,” and asks citizens to select the race with which they most closely identify.

For those who wish to identify multiple races in their response, their responses may be counted in multiple categories.

College of General Studies freshman Giuliana Politano said she finds the census important and doesn’t agree with the negative response to the race questions.

“People are stupid and sensitive about it. It’s your race,” she said. “It’s important because they need it to distribute funds accordingly.”

School of Management sophomore James Getonga said the race question is very significant.

“It’s extremely important,” he said. “It’s part of your identity. It’s part of being an American.”

Getonga said many of those who think otherwise are fearful and insecure.

“You should be proud to have something else to define yourself.”