Census 101

Participation is so important because the data collected helps to determine how the $400 billion of federal funding each year is spent on hospitals, schools and emergency services within communities across the U.S. The Census information is used as a basis for determining how many congressional seats your state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. And, last but not least, the data helps researchers with issues such as preventing diseases, researching markets and advocating for other services specific to certain ethic groups. In fact, 4.5 million Americans were missed in the last census, and most of them were lower-income blacks and Hispanics. Data that could have been used as a basis to create new programs to assist them was never considered since they did not participate.

To encourage people of all backgrounds to complete the Census, it is available in 59 different languages on the official Census Web site: www.2010.census.gov. 

What type of information is collected? 

The Census questionnaire — which is sent via the U.S. Postal Service and takes less than 10 minutes to complete — contains 10 questions, which are somewhat general in nature, including your name, phone number, age, gender and race.  It does NOT ask for your Social Security number, e-mail or for financial information such as bank account numbers. Unfortunately, while the government is busy mailing and processing your Census forms, there are other unscrupulous individuals looking at the Census as an opportunity for identity theft. To avoid falling victim to potential Census scams, visit the Census Web site to view a sample of the actual form so you know what to look for. If you are mailed a form that does not contain the exact same 10 questions, I would report it immediately to the U.S. Postal Inspection Services and throw it away.

Other than mail, how else might the Census Bureau contact you?

The Census Bureau may contact you via phone only if there is a question about one of your responses. If you receive a call asking for more information than what was originally requested on the Census form, I would consider this a red flag and ask for a number you can use to call them back. If the caller becomes agitated with this request, it is another red flag. The best way to verify the legitimacy of a call is by contacting the National Processing Center at (812) 218-3300. One last word of caution regarding calls: Scammers have increased in their sophistication and may use a device which would allow their call to show up on your caller ID as “U.S. Census” so again, be careful.  

I hear Census Bureau representatives may also come to your home.  Is that true?

April 1st is National Census Day, so everyone who hasn’t completed and returned their Census questionnaire yet is encouraged to do so by that date. If you have not received your questionnaire by April 1, call the Telephone Questionnaire Assistance center at (866) 872-6868 or visit the Census Bureau’s Web site for more information. After April 1, U.S. Census Bureau officials will be going door-to-door to remind individuals to fill out their questionnaire if they have not already done so. Officials will be wearing government-issued badges to identify their purpose. The badges will include a name and photo identification with an official Department of Commerce Watermark so that people can discern between government officials and scammers. Additionally, they will be usually carrying a bag with the U.S Bureau logo on it. If you are suspicious of a Census taker, you can contact your regional Census office to verify the survey.

Lastly, do not let anyone into your home even if they are a Census taker. They can collect the information at the door. Remember, real Census workers will never ask for cash payment in exchange for assisting you with completing the questionnaire or ask you questions that are not on the form.