American Retired Seniors

The U. S. Census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.   All residents of the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens.  The first Census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then.

Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States in March 2010. The questions ask you to provide information that is accurate for your household as of April 1, 2010.  The U. S. Census Bureau will mail a 2^nd form to households that do not respond to the initial questionnaire and those who still do not respond will be called or visited by a Census worker.To be counted as a resident of the United States is a right a privilege and participation is required by law.  The U.S. Census is mandated by the Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) of the United States of America and mandates a headcount of everyone residing in the United States.

See video below.

Strict federal laws protect the confidentiality and personal information of respondents and the information they provide during the taking of the census.

1. Federal Law

Title 13 of the U.S. Code protects the confidentiality of all your information. Violating this law is a crime with severe penalties.

2. Privacy Principles

Our Privacy Principles are guidelines that cover all of our activities. These principles encompass both our responsibilities to protect your information and your rights as a respondent. They apply to the information we collect and the statistics we publish.

3. Statistical Safeguards

Statistical methods ensure that the statistics we release do not identify individuals or businesses. These methods include extensive review and analysis of all our data products, as well as disclosure avoidance methodologies such as data suppression and modification.

One of the purposes of the U.S. Census it to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.

The 2010 Census questionnaire will be one of the shortest in history and consists of only 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete.

1020 Census Timeline:

• Fall 2009: Recruitment begins for census takers needed for peak workload in 2010.
• February – March 2010: Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.
• April 1, 2010: Census Day
• April – July 2010: Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
• December 2010: By law, Census Bureau delivers population counts to President for apportionment.
• March 2011: By law, Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.

Minority Links:

• Blacks or African Americans
• Asians
• Hispanics or Latinos
• Native Hawaiians and Other
  Pacific Islanders
• American Indians and Alaska Natives

For this and more information please go to www.2010census.gov.

Americans should know if a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

As mentioned earlier, individuals who do not respond to the U. S. Census Bureau mailings will either receive a phone call or a visit by the U.S. Census Bureau but they will not make contacts using Email. Citizens should be aware any Emails indicating they are from the U.S. Census Bureau are scams and should not be opened, but should be immediately deleted.

For 2010, the Census Bureau is hiring hundreds of thousands of temporary workers to fill a variety of census positions across the country. Area residents can apply to earn good weekly pay, enjoy flexible hours and be part of a historic opportunity to serve their communities. For employment opportunities please visit 2010 Census Job opportunities.

Filed under: Retiree and Senior Resources