filling out the census form and census operations

2010 Census: Timeline and Filling Out the Questionnaire

March 17, 2010March 17, 20102:05 2:05 ––

3:00 pm Eastern3:00 pm Eastern

To hear audio for the To hear audio for the webinarwebinar, you must also call in to our free , you must also call in to our free teleconference line. To call in, dial:teleconference line. To call in, dial:

1 (866) 3791 (866) 379--3045 Conference ID: 630824283045 Conference ID: 63082428

2

Presenter ContactsPresenter Contacts

Terri Ann Terri Ann LowenthalLowenthalFundersFunders Census InitiativeCensus [email protected]@aol.com203203--353353--43644364www.thecensusproject.orgwww.thecensusproject.org

Jan JacobsJan Jacobs2010 National Partnerships 2010 National Partnerships

[email protected]@census.govv

Amber EbarbAmber [email protected]@ncai.org

3

OVERVIEWOVERVIEWCensus Timeline: Key operationsCensus Timeline: Key operationsRole Role of grassroots organizationsof grassroots organizationsThe 2010 Census Form: StepThe 2010 Census Form: Step--byby--StepStep

4

CENSUS TIMELINE:CENSUS TIMELINE:KEY OPERATIONSKEY OPERATIONS

5

OVERVIEW OFOVERVIEW OF CENSUS TIMELINE CENSUS TIMELINE (2010)(2010)

Feb. Feb. –– March: Update/Leave March: Update/Leave operationoperation

March March –– April: MailApril: Mail--out/Mailout/Mail--backback

March 29 March 29 –– 31: Homeless count31: Homeless count

6


March 22 March 22 –– May 29: May 29: Update/Enumerate operationUpdate/Enumerate operation

March 22 March 22 –– April 16: Enumeration April 16: Enumeration of transitory locationsof transitory locations

April: Group Quarters enumerationApril: Group Quarters enumeration

7

GETTING HELP!GETTING HELP!Questionnaire Assistance CentersQuestionnaire Assistance Centers

Be Counted sites (forms only, through Be Counted sites (forms only, through April 19)April 19)

Telephone Questionnaire Assistance Telephone Questionnaire Assistance (2/25 (2/25 –– 7/30/10)7/30/10)

QAC/Be Counted sites posted at:QAC/Be Counted sites posted at:http://2010.census.gov/2010census/http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

Community census Community census ““partnerspartners””

8


May May –– July: July: NonresponseNonresponse FollowFollow--up up (door(door--toto--door visits)door visits)

Late April Late April –– early August: Coverage early August: Coverage FollowFollow--upup

Late July Late July –– August: VacantAugust: Vacant--Delete checkDelete check

August 2010 August 2010 –– March 2011: Coverage March 2011: Coverage measurement interviewsmeasurement interviews

9

OVERVIEW OFOVERVIEW OF CENSUS TIMELINECENSUS TIMELINE

By December 31, 2010: First By December 31, 2010: First population numbers reported for population numbers reported for congressional apportionmentcongressional apportionment

By April 1, 2011: Detailed By April 1, 2011: Detailed population numbers reported to population numbers reported to States for redistrictingStates for redistricting

10

ROLE OFROLE OFGRASSROOTSGRASSROOTS

ORGANIZATIONSORGANIZATIONS

11

THINGS TO DOTHINGS TO DORefer people to official Questionnaire Assistance Centers whenevRefer people to official Questionnaire Assistance Centers whenever er possible.possible.

Answer questions about the census in a private area.Answer questions about the census in a private area.–– Make sure your staff members fully understand the materials & Make sure your staff members fully understand the materials &

concepts.concepts.

Translate instructions and questions for people with limited EngTranslate instructions and questions for people with limited English lish proficiency.proficiency.

Explain questions and response choices.Explain questions and response choices.

If necessary, help people fill out their forms.If necessary, help people fill out their forms.–– Use a private areaUse a private area–– Ensure you are speaking with head of householdEnsure you are speaking with head of household–– Seal envelope and help respondent mail the form right awaySeal envelope and help respondent mail the form right away

12

THINGS THINGS NOTNOT TO DOTO DODo not pretend to be an official Questionnaire Assistance CenterDo not pretend to be an official Questionnaire Assistance Center or or use the official census logo if you are offering assistance.use the official census logo if you are offering assistance.

Do not help people fill in forms or Do not help people fill in forms or ““volunteervolunteer”” to help QAC staff if your to help QAC staff if your organization organization is is hosting an official QAC.hosting an official QAC.

Do not encourage use of Be Counted forms unless people are sure Do not encourage use of Be Counted forms unless people are sure they did not receive one at their residence or that they were lethey did not receive one at their residence or that they were left off ft off the form another household member mailed back.the form another household member mailed back.

Do not gather completed forms for mailing at a later time; ask Do not gather completed forms for mailing at a later time; ask respondents to place forms in mail receptacles that are emptied respondents to place forms in mail receptacles that are emptied daily daily by the Postal Service.by the Postal Service.

Do not follow census takers around neighborhoods or into buildinDo not follow census takers around neighborhoods or into buildings to gs to ““encourageencourage”” people to cooperate; canvassing should be done well people to cooperate; canvassing should be done well before census takers visit.before census takers visit.

13

BE TRANSPARENTBE TRANSPARENT

Distinguish your census assistance activities and Distinguish your census assistance activities and volunteers from volunteers from officialofficial Census Bureau operations and Census Bureau operations and trained, sworn Census staff.trained, sworn Census staff.–– For exampleFor example, use , use Community Census CenterCommunity Census Center instead of instead of

Questionnaire Assistance CenterQuestionnaire Assistance Center or or Be Counted CenterBe Counted Center..

Use slogans aimed at Use slogans aimed at encouraging census participationencouraging census participation,, not not increasing the countincreasing the count..

Assist your constituencies in filling out the form fully Assist your constituencies in filling out the form fully and accurately, but and accurately, but dondon’’t press them to include people who t press them to include people who you know shouldnyou know shouldn’’t be included on their form.t be included on their form.

14

THE 2010 CENSUS THE 2010 CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE:QUESTIONNAIRE:

StepStep--byby--StepStep

15

2010 CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE:2010 CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE: OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

10 questions; 6 topics.10 questions; 6 topics.Language information:Language information:–– English language forms mailed/delivered to English language forms mailed/delivered to

most homesmost homes–– Bilingual EnglishBilingual English--Spanish forms Spanish forms

mailed/delivered to 13.5 million targeted mailed/delivered to 13.5 million targeted homes nationwidehomes nationwide

–– Forms available upon request in Spanish, Forms available upon request in Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Korean, Russian, and Chinese (simplified), Korean, Russian, and VietnameseVietnamese

–– Assistance guides available in 59 languagesAssistance guides available in 59 languages–– Replacement forms mailed (in April) to low Replacement forms mailed (in April) to low

response census tracts, in English onlyresponse census tracts, in English only

16

THE HOUSEHOLDERTHE HOUSEHOLDER

The The householder householder is the person who fills out the census is the person who fills out the census form for everyone else in the home.form for everyone else in the home.

Person 1Person 1 on the census form.on the census form.

Should be age 18 or older, if possible, and someone who is Should be age 18 or older, if possible, and someone who is generally responsible for household members in some way.generally responsible for household members in some way.

Whether a household is counted as an American Indian Whether a household is counted as an American Indian or Alaska Native household depends entirely on the race or Alaska Native household depends entirely on the race of of ““Person 1Person 1”” ---- the first person listed on the Census the first person listed on the Census form. If that person says he or she is American Indian or form. If that person says he or she is American Indian or Alaska Native, then the household will be counted as Alaska Native, then the household will be counted as one with an American Indian or Alaska Native one with an American Indian or Alaska Native ““householder.householder.””

17

NUMBER OF PEOPLENUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLDIN HOUSEHOLD

Question #1 (Person 1 only):Question #1 (Person 1 only):How many people were living or staying in this How many people were living or staying in this

house, apartment or mobile home on April 1, house, apartment or mobile home on April 1, 2010?2010?Snowbirds?Snowbirds? On the questionnaire sent to southern or On the questionnaire sent to southern or

winter home, write winter home, write ““00”” and do not answer any other and do not answer any other questions. Fill out form sent to permanent home questions. Fill out form sent to permanent home completely, even if you werencompletely, even if you weren’’t there on April 1.t there on April 1.

Question #2 (Person 1 only):Question #2 (Person 1 only):Were there any other people staying in the home Were there any other people staying in the home

that you did not include? Mark reasons.that you did not include? Mark reasons.

18

TENURE QUESTIONTENURE QUESTION (OWNER v. RENTER)(OWNER v. RENTER)

Question #3 (Person 1 only):Question #3 (Person 1 only):Asks if the home is owned or rented Asks if the home is owned or rented

((““tenuretenure”” in data terms).in data terms).

–– Offers four detailed choices but does not ask Offers four detailed choices but does not ask for any financial information (e.g. how much for any financial information (e.g. how much rent).rent).

–– Tenure data provide a general proxy for Tenure data provide a general proxy for higher income households (owner) and higher income households (owner) and lower income household (renter).lower income household (renter).

19

TELEPHONE NUMBERTELEPHONE NUMBER

Question #4 (Person 1 only):Question #4 (Person 1 only):Used Used only only if the Census Bureau must followif the Census Bureau must follow--up up with the household to collect more information with the household to collect more information or clarify who lives there.or clarify who lives there.

Especially important Especially important for for large householdslarge households (e.g. (e.g. those with 7+ residents, or 9+ residents on a those with 7+ residents, or 9+ residents on a bilingual Englishbilingual English--Spanish form)Spanish form)

If no responsible person (e.g. 18+) in the If no responsible person (e.g. 18+) in the home has a phone, encourage using a home has a phone, encourage using a neighborneighbor’’s or relatives or relative’’s phone number (they s phone number (they can act as a gocan act as a go--between).between).

20

NAMENAME

Question #5 for Person 1.Question #5 for Person 1.Question #1 for Persons 2 Question #1 for Persons 2 -- 6 (single language forms)6 (single language forms)Question #1 for Persons 2 Question #1 for Persons 2 -- 8 (bilingual English8 (bilingual English --Spanish forms)Spanish forms)

–– Used to reduce likelihood of duplicate count.Used to reduce likelihood of duplicate count.–– Respondent can have access to a copy of their Respondent can have access to a copy of their

own census form for any purpose after the own census form for any purpose after the census (such as to prove U.S. residence).census (such as to prove U.S. residence).

–– Genealogists can do research about family Genealogists can do research about family histories, using census forms, after 72 years.histories, using census forms, after 72 years.

21

RELATIONSHIP RELATIONSHIP QUESTIONQUESTION

Question #2 for Persons 2 Question #2 for Persons 2 -- 6 (or 8 on 6 (or 8 on bilingual form)bilingual form)

Everyone in household is Everyone in household is ““relatedrelated”” in some in some way to Person 1 (the householder)way to Person 1 (the householder)

Question offers many options, including for Question offers many options, including for ““nonrelativesnonrelatives”” (e.g. roommates; boarders)(e.g. roommates; boarders)

Gay/lesbian couples can check husband/wife, Gay/lesbian couples can check husband/wife, if applicable, or if applicable, or ““unmarried partnerunmarried partner””

22

SEX/AGE/SEX/AGE/ DATE OF BIRTHDATE OF BIRTH

SEX:SEX:

Question #6 for Person 1.Question #6 for Person 1.Question #3 for Persons 2 Question #3 for Persons 2 -- 6 6 (single language forms)(single language forms)Question #3 for Persons 2 Question #3 for Persons 2 -- 8 8 (bilingual forms)(bilingual forms)

AGE and DATE OF BIRTH:AGE and DATE OF BIRTH:


Date of birth is used to reduce likelihood of duplicate count, Date of birth is used to reduce likelihood of duplicate count, since only about 10,000 people are born each day.since only about 10,000 people are born each day.–– DOB also used to confirm correct age.DOB also used to confirm correct age.

23

HISPANIC ORIGINHISPANIC ORIGIN & RACE& RACE

OVERARCHING CONCEPT: OVERARCHING CONCEPT: Self IdentitySelf Identity

People must answer People must answer both both the Hispanic origin the Hispanic origin and race questions.and race questions.

Under Under federal policy (Office of Management & federal policy (Office of Management & Budget, not Census Bureau), Budget, not Census Bureau), Hispanic Hispanic is is considered an ethnicity, not a race.considered an ethnicity, not a race.

Hispanic origin question comes first to Hispanic origin question comes first to encourage people to answer both questions.encourage people to answer both questions.

24

HISPANIC ORIGINHISPANIC ORIGIN & RACE& RACE

HISPANIC ORIGIN:HISPANIC ORIGIN:


RACE:RACE:


25

HISPANIC ORIGINHISPANIC ORIGIN

People People not of Hispanic originnot of Hispanic origin should mark should mark ““nono”” and and move on to the race question.move on to the race question.People People of Hispanic originof Hispanic origin should mark the subgroup should mark the subgroup with which they identify (e.g. Mexican; Puerto Rican; with which they identify (e.g. Mexican; Puerto Rican; Cuban).Cuban).If subgroup of choice is not listed, write in another If subgroup of choice is not listed, write in another Hispanic/Spanish origin (e.g. Dominican; Venezuelan; Hispanic/Spanish origin (e.g. Dominican; Venezuelan; Nicaraguan).Nicaraguan).People of Brazilian ancestry are People of Brazilian ancestry are notnot considered to be considered to be of Hispanic origin.of Hispanic origin.

26

RACERACE

People may choose one or more races.People may choose one or more races.–– They will appear in They will appear in ““Two or more racesTwo or more races”” category category

(e.g. there is no official (e.g. there is no official ““multiracialmultiracial”” category).category).

Census Bureau publishes race data for Census Bureau publishes race data for single single race responsesrace responses (e.g. (e.g. ““AIAN aloneAIAN alone””) and for ) and for all all inclusive responsesinclusive responses (e.g. (e.g. ““AIAN alone or in AIAN alone or in combinationcombination””).).

Census Bureau publishes data for race groups Census Bureau publishes data for race groups by by ““of Hispanic originof Hispanic origin”” and and ““not of Hispanic not of Hispanic origin.origin.””

Who is American Indian/ Alaska Native?

The Census Bureau uses the definition of AI/AN published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): “A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.”

This definition of who’s Indian is quite different than the one in federal law that says an Indian person is a member of an Indian tribe. What gives American Indian and Alaska Native people special status in law is a political relationship – as a member of a Native governmental entity -- not who one’s ancestors are. Simply saying that one is Indian on a Census form does not convey any special relationship or privileges.

There are 19 box to write in enrolled or principle. If the name is longer than the 19 spaces, you can write outside the assigned boxes. We will capture up to 30 characters. Also, if a person writes in more than one tribal name, we will capture up to 2. If a person writes a tribal name in the SOR box, Census will capture that as well.

29

““SOME OTHER RACESOME OTHER RACE””People who donPeople who don’’t identify with any listed race category may t identify with any listed race category may check check ““Some other raceSome other race”” (SOR) and write(SOR) and write--in their identity.in their identity.–– 90+ percent of people who check SOR write in 90+ percent of people who check SOR write in ““Hispanic.Hispanic.””

People may check a listed race (e.g. Black or White) and also People may check a listed race (e.g. Black or White) and also writewrite--in another national origin on the SOR line (e.g. Jamaican in another national origin on the SOR line (e.g. Jamaican or Arab American)or Arab American)–– Census Bureau will tabulate these respondents only as a Census Bureau will tabulate these respondents only as a

single race (unless they actually check the SOR box).single race (unless they actually check the SOR box).–– Census Bureau plans series of Special Reports that will Census Bureau plans series of Special Reports that will

provide more detailed information gleaned from writeprovide more detailed information gleaned from write--in in responses, for larger groups).responses, for larger groups).

People who check only SOR and writePeople who check only SOR and write--in, for example, in, for example, SomalianSomalian will be tabulated as will be tabulated as Black(OMBBlack(OMB DirectiveDirective 15).15).

30

““I DONI DON’’T SEE MYSELFT SEE MYSELF IN THE RACE QUESTION!IN THE RACE QUESTION!””

American Indians and Alaska Natives can writeAmerican Indians and Alaska Natives can write--in a in a Tribal affiliation.Tribal affiliation.

No checkNo check--box for box for ““AsianAsian”” or or ““Native Hawaiian & Other Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific IslanderPacific Islander”” race categoriesrace categories–– Check off one of listed nationalities or writeCheck off one of listed nationalities or write--in another in another

(e.g. Pakistani or Cambodian).(e.g. Pakistani or Cambodian).–– ReasonReason: Immigrants often don: Immigrants often don’’t identify with term t identify with term ““AsianAsian””

or or ““Pacific Islander (they are an American construct).Pacific Islander (they are an American construct).

Census Experimental Program testing alternative race Census Experimental Program testing alternative race questions during 2010 census for 2020 census.questions during 2010 census for 2020 census.–– Test options would offer more opportunity to identify Test options would offer more opportunity to identify

Black and White subgroups (e.g. Haitian; Caribbean; Arab; Black and White subgroups (e.g. Haitian; Caribbean; Arab; Polish)Polish)

31

COVERAGE QUESTIONCOVERAGE QUESTION

Question #10 for Person 1Question #10 for Person 1

Question #7 for Persons 2 Question #7 for Persons 2 -- 66 (single language forms)(single language forms)

Question #7 for Persons 2 Question #7 for Persons 2 -- 88 (bilingual forms)(bilingual forms)

Does this person sometimes live or stay Does this person sometimes live or stay someplace else?someplace else?

–– Designed to help spot possible omissions Designed to help spot possible omissions (undercount) or duplicates ((undercount) or duplicates (overcountovercount).).

–– Census staff will followCensus staff will follow--up by phone to clarify, if up by phone to clarify, if necessary.necessary.

32

ADDITIONAL PEOPLEADDITIONAL PEOPLE

For Persons 7 For Persons 7 -- 12 (Persons 9 12 (Persons 9 -- 12 on 12 on bilingual form), fill out:bilingual form), fill out:–– NameName–– SexSex–– Age and date of birthAge and date of birth–– Related to Person 1 (householder)? (yes or no)Related to Person 1 (householder)? (yes or no)

Census staff will Census staff will followfollow--up by telephoneup by telephone with all with all ““large householdslarge households”” (Coverage Follow(Coverage Follow--Up Up operation), to collect remaining information.operation), to collect remaining information.

Questions?Questions? Concerns?Concerns?

To ask a question online, click To ask a question online, click on the Q&A button at the top on the Q&A button at the top of your screen and type your of your screen and type your

question in.question in.

(No need to use the(No need to use the““Ask a QuestionAsk a Question”” hand button,hand button,

just ask away.)just ask away.)

To ask a questionTo ask a questionon the phone, press *1on the phone, press *1

on your keypad.on your keypad.

You’ll be put into a queue and the operator will un-mute your line at

the appropriate time.

Upcoming Upcoming WebinarsWebinars::Mapping Hard to Count Mapping Hard to Count

Communities, Communities, March 19, 2010March 19, 2010

Urban Indian Outreach, Urban Indian Outreach, March 24, 2010March 24, 2010

Join the Campaign! Join the Campaign!

We are only two weeks away from Census day, April We are only two weeks away from Census day, April 11stst 2010; plan events now!2010; plan events now!

Ways to be involved right away:Ways to be involved right away:Sign up at Sign up at IndianCountryCounts.orgIndianCountryCounts.org..Sign the action pledge. Sign the action pledge. Forward emails and website to friends. Forward emails and website to friends. Request Request Indian Country CountsIndian Country Counts materials and Census Bureau materials and Census Bureau materials for events. materials for events.

36

Presenter ContactsPresenter Contacts

Terri Ann Terri Ann LowenthalLowenthalFundersFunders Census InitiativeCensus [email protected]@aol.com203203--353353--43644364www.thecensusproject.orgwww.thecensusproject.org

Jan JacobsJan Jacobs2010 National Partnerships 2010 National Partnerships

[email protected]@census.govv

Amber EbarbAmber [email protected]@ncai.org

filling out the census form and census operations

Documents

census form

census questionnaire

census staff

census takers

overview census timeline

overview of census timeline

census assistance activities

official census logo