Open your door to the census taker

Hundreds of thousands of temporary census workers are knocking on millions of doors in their neighborhoods across the country as the U.S. Census Bureau continues its efforts to count everyone living in the United States.

The good news is that 72 percent of American households mailed back their 2010 Census forms, which were sent out to every “housing unit” — homes, apartments, mobile homes and every other livable structure — in March. Nassau County had a respectable on-time return rate of 71 percent — higher than the state average of 67 percent.

This month the Census Bureau began its two-month-long, door-to-door follow-up to count as many of the remaining 28 percent of the nation’s residents as humanly possible. If you are one of the households that are due a visit, take a few minutes to answer the 10 questions that the census taker, or enumerator, will ask. It’s important, it’s very American — and it’s the law.

Census taking is mandated by the U.S. Constitution to be conducted every 10 years. The data is used to apportion congressional seats to states; to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year; and to make decisions about what community services to provide.

What difference does it make if you answer or not? Plenty. The 2010 Census will help individual communities — including your own — receive their deserved portions of federal funds for things like hospitals, schools, senior centers, emergency services, bridges, tunnels and other public-works projects.

The 2010 Census form is one of the shortest in U.S. history, and takes 10 minutes or less to complete. There are no questions about income or bank accounts or Social Security numbers, and all of the information respondents provide is protected by strict confidentiality laws. The bureau will report its findings to President Obama by Dec. 31.

If you get a knock on the door, please give the enumerator a few valuable minutes of your time. Even if you’re sure you mailed your form in, give your visitor the benefit of the doubt: He or she wouldn’t be there if the Census Bureau had received your form on time. Be patient, and be counted — it’s in the best interests of your family and your community.

Who are the census takers?
    A census taker, officially known as an enumerator, is a person from your community who has been hired by the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure that the population of your neighborhood is counted as accurately as possible. The enumerator’s job is to collect census information from residences that have not sent back their 2010 Census forms or sent them in late.

How do I recognize an
enumerator?
    Enumerators wear identification badges around their necks and carry black canvas shoulder bags labeled U.S. Census Bureau. They also have the phone number of their local census office supervisor, so you can call and check if you have any doubts.
What if a census worker visits when I’m
not home?
    An enumerator will leave a Notice of Visit, with a number for you to call to provide your household information over the phone. If the local census office doesn’t hear from you, an enumerator may visit or call you as many as six times.

Frequently asked census questions:

Who are the census takers?

A census taker, officially known as an enumerator, is a person from your community who has been hired by the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure that the population of your neighborhood is counted as accurately as possible. The enumerator’s job is to collect census information from residences that have not sent back their 2010 Census forms or sent them in late.

How do I recognize an enumerator?

Enumerators wear identification badges around their necks and carry black canvas shoulder bags labeled U.S. Census Bureau. They also have the phone number of their local census office supervisor, so you can call and check if you have any doubts.

What if a census worker visits when I’m not home?

An enumerator will leave a Notice of Visit, with a number for you to call to provide your household information over the phone. If the local census office doesn’t hear from you, an enumerator may visit or call you as many as six times.

I’m busy. Do I have to answer the enumerator’s questions?

Yes. Your participation in the 2010 Census is vital, and required by law. However, the Census Bureau isn’t interested in charging non-responders with crimes; its hope is to persuade people to participate by explaining the importance of the questions it asks and how the information it gathers will benefit your community.