Responding to Census 2010

On Saturday, May 1, 2010 enumerators (census takers) will start visiting households  from whom the Census 2010questionnaire has not yet been received by  the Census Department.

In the creation of the US Constitution, Congress stated that,  beginning in 1790 and every tens years thereafter a Census would be held in the United States.  "Enumerators" would count the people  living in the USA and representation in the House of Representatives  as well as the division of tax monies collected from the states would  be based on each 10-year census.  The 2010 Census is the 23rd Census conducted in the USA.  Each Census will cover items "determined by law."  This year part of the focus of the Census is on Hispanic heritage.

In recent ABC 7 Chicago morning news program, an official from the  Census Bureau reported that each questionnaire returned to the Census  Bureau generates $19,400 in monies for the state--for roads, schools,  health facilities, and more.

It cost $.42 to send a questionnaire to a household.  For an  enumerator to go to the home to conduct or collect the survey, the cost jumps to $57.00 per questionnaire (per visit to the home).

Confidentiality of Census data--United States laws (Title 13) cover information gathered during the Census.  The Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau are not allowed to share personal information with any other governmental or nongovernmental department or agency.   The Census Bureau summarizes the data into statistical reports after stripping off the personal information originally collected as part of the Census process.

When an enumerator comes to someone's door, it is making an extra effort to be sure that that household's information can be shared for the $19,400 that will be going to the state over the next 10 years.  The service is available in 18 languages, though the person coming to the door may be monolingual.

If any questions are asked that a respondent does not want to answer, those can be skipped.  It is important to collect as much of the targeted information as accurately as possible.

See previous posts about Census 2010.