New Yorkers need to do a better job filling out national census forms this year than they did in 2000, or risk losing congressional clout and federal dollars, Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday.

“The census is more than just an important historical record,” he said at a press conference in Times Square with US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “It also helps shape our city’s future. Our representation in Washington, our representation in Albany, the level of funding we receive from the federal government . . . all of these things are affected by the census count.”

In 2000, the city’s response rate was only about 55 percent, while the response rate nationally was 67 percent.

The census form being mailed out later this year is the shortest ever — 10 questions. It is due back April 1.

Locke said the responses are confidential, even from other government agencies.