The Road to the 2010 CensusThe Road to the 2010 Census

Somonica L. GreenAssistant Regional Director

June 18, 2008

NC SDC Meeting

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Why take a Census?Why take a Census?

Appropriation of funds

Apportionment of Congress

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What are the Goals for What are the Goals for 2010 Census?2010 Census?

Less Costly

Use Technology more Efficiently

Improve Maps & Address Lists

Deliver Data on A More Timely Basis (ACS)

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How do we Take a Census?How do we Take a Census?

Develop/Update Address List and Maps.

Deliver Census Questionnaires to Addresses by Mail or in Person.

Receive completed Questionnaires by mail.

Follow-up with Households that do not Return the Questionnaire.

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Part 1 – Building a List of Addresses

Address List from Census 2000 Updates from the US Postal Service Partnership with Local Governments

– LUCA– Boundaries

Address Canvassing Operation

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Part 1 – Building a List of Addresses

Address Canvassing: Spring/Summer 2009 Census Taker will verify the location and

information for every address in the U.S. Use Handheld Computers – GPS Technology An Estimated 5,000 Workers in NC

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Part 2 – The Population Count

Our Guiding Principles – It’s Safe– It’s Easy– It’s Important

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Part 2 – The Population Count

It’s Safe!– Answers are protected by law!– Title 13 of the United States Code– Penalty – Up To 5 Years in Prison, or

$250,000 fine for violations, or both– The Core of our Ability to Build Trust

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Part 2 – The Population Count

It’s Easy!– Mail Census Questionnaires in February /

March 2010– Short Form – 10 Questions, 10 Minutes– A New Mail Strategy– Bilingual Mail Forms (English/Spanish)

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Part 2 – The Population Count

It’s Important!– Apportion the 435 seats in the U.S. House

of Representatives– Appropriate $300 billion in federal funds to

states and communities every year– Redistricting of state legislatures, county

and city councils, and voting districts

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Part 2 – The Population Count

Following Up on Non Responses– Summer 2010– Send a Census Taker to the door– Estimated 700,000 Workers Nationwide– More than 20,000 Census Workers in NC

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Part 2 – The Population Count

Other Living Situations – Special Procedures– Military Bases / College Dorms– Prisons– RV Parks, Campgrounds, Marinas, etc.– People Experiencing Homelessness– Remote / Rural Areas, Areas with Delivery

Problems

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Timeline of Key ActivitiesTimeline of Key ActivitiesCalendar Year 2008Calendar Year 2008

Open Regional Census Center

Open Early Local Census Office

15 in Charlotte 5-state region

5 in NC – Asheville, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Greenville

Hire and train Key Staff

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Timeline of Key Activities Calendar Year 2008

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Timeline of Key Activities Timeline of Key Activities Calendar Year 2009Calendar Year 2009

Open Remaining Local Census Offices 37 in Charlotte 5-state region 8-10 in North Carolina

Address Canvassing

Adjudication of LUCA Appeals

Recruit/Recruit/Recruit

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Timeline of Key Activities Timeline of Key Activities Calendar Year 2010Calendar Year 2010

Counts Delivered to the President

Questionnaires Mailed or Delivered

Census Day – April 1, 2010

Group Quarters Enumeration

Follow-up to Non-Responding Households

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Checking Our Work

Extensive Quality Assurance Operations

Independent Assessments

Closely Monitored Internally and Externally

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What’s Different in 2010What’s Different in 2010

Short Form Only

Use of Hand-held

Computers (AC only)

Second Mailing of Questionnaires

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American Community Survey:American Community Survey: (aka Census Long Form) (aka Census Long Form)

Produces more current data at various levels

Large, monthly, sample survey

Began nationally in 2005

Provides more current characteristics data

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Our Key Challenges

Recruiting!– Capable Managers that Represent the

Community– Trusted Voices to Educate and Motivate– Enough Qualified Applicants for the 70,000+

jobs in the Charlotte Region

Participation– Building Trust– Motivating Cooperation

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Communicating these Principles

Communications Campaign– Paid Advertising– Local promotional efforts

Complete Count Committees– Local initiatives to promote the Census– Organized Independently

Partnership and Data Services Program– “Grassroots” efforts to reach the hardest to

count communities

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Supporting Your Community

Consider Involvement in a Complete Count Committee

Emphasize the Importance of Census Participation

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Supporting Your Community

Questions about Jobs?

Toll Free Number: 1 – 888 – 222 – 4936

Questions / Concerns about the Census?

Regional Census Center main number:(704) 909 - 6700

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Questions