Census forms on the way

Published 11:21 am Wednesday, March 17, 2010

If you haven’t received your 2010 U.S. Census questionnaire, chances are you will soon.

Many north Jefferson County residents received letters last week stating Census forms would be delivered this week and to return them as soon as possible.

Census officials in Washington are reportedly hoping to have the questionnaire returned by April 1. The 10-year Census count will cost about $14.7 billion, according to published media reports. The Census Bureau reportedly spent $85 million sending reminder forms to residents.

The Census count is required by the U.S. Constitution every 10 years. Census findings often dictate how much federal funds are directed to hospitals, schools, senior centers, infrastructure and emergency services.

Required information on the form includes name, age, sex, date of birth, race, household relationship and if the person at the address rents or owns the home.

Municipal leaders are stressing the importance of having residents in their respective towns fill out the census and return the information as quickly as possible. Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips said an accurate Census count will help determine what the community needs financially to move forward.

“The census numbers will affect grant appropriations, future economic development and political representative seats,” he said. “It is vital to the city’s future to get an accurate count. Please make it a priority to complete and return the questionnaire.”

If the forms are not returned, many homes will be visited by Census takers who will record the information on the form. If no one answers a particular residence, a Census taker will visit the home up to three times and leave a door hanger with contact information to reschedule a visit.

Residents are lawfully required to talk to Census takers under Section 221, Title 13 of the U.S. Code. Census takers are sworn to protect the privacy and confidentiality of residents.

The Census Bureau issued the following information on what to do if a Census taker visits your home:

• First ask to see their ID. All Census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name; they may also have a “U.S. Census Bureau” bag

• Note that the Census taker will never ask to enter your home

• If you’re still not certain about their identity, please call the Regional Census Centers to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau

• The census taker will only ask the questions that appear on the census form. They will never ask for your Social Security Number or personal banking information (such as account numbers or passwords).

• Answer the Census form questions for your entire household (you must be at least 15  years old to answer questions) so that the census taker can record  the results for submission to the Census Bureau

For more information, visit 2010.Census.gov.