by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
By now, you should have received your 2010 Census form in the mail and you are not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 120 million forms were sent. At 10 questions each, that means Census employees will read about 1.2 billion answers over the next several months.
The answers matter most. The information sent back to the Census Bureau will be used to divvy up $400 billion over the next several years. How that money is allocated is directly related to the information you have been asked to provide.
The following information was provided by the Census Bureau.
How is the 2010 form different from 2000?
The 2010 questionnaire is very brief, 10 questions in 10 minutes. The 2000 form was lengthier.
How are the questions derived?
Questions are determined in response to federal, state, local and tribal government data needs. We use questions necessary for apportionment, legislative redistricting and the allocation of federal forms. The subjects were sent to Congress in 2007, while the actual questions were sent in 2008.
When is the form due?
Census Day is April 1; we would like to receive all forms back by then. However, if forms are not received by then people can still mail them in. We will also send people to the field to knock on doors to remind people to send in the Census questionnaire.
Were Census forms sent to addresses or residences? Meaning, did every apartment in a complex get one?
Census forms were mailed to every address in the middle of March. All residents with a separate mailing address should receive an individual form.
When will the results be posted?
Results of the 2010 Census are due to President Obama on Dec. 31, 2010.
What are the results used for?
The results of the Census will determine how $400 billion is allocated per year over the next 10 years. The Census results impact the number of schools, hospitals and roads that a community receives. It impacts the number of congressional seats a state receives. It impacts which programs receive funding in our communities.
What happens if someone doesn’t return their form?
Census enumerators will be sent to the place of residence to remind them to return their questionnaires.
What should someone do if a census worker shows up at the door?
All Census workers should have a Census badge clearly visible. This badge does not have a picture on it so the person may ask to see a picture ID as well. Census workers will not ask questions other than what is on the questionnaire.
What if that worker is told to go away?
The Census worker will leave as requested. At the Census we are interested in getting the population counted completely, but we always have to keep the safety of our Census workers in the forefront.
How many people were hired locally and how long will the local office remain open?
Between the two offices in Jacksonville, there will be approximately 4,000-plus people hired to work during Census operations.
When will census workers hit the streets?
Census workers have been in the field since last year working on various operations and will continue through July.
Are you still hiring? If so, how many and how would someone apply?
We are conducting very limited recruiting at this point as we have reached the majority of our recruiting goals. To inquire about job opportunities with the Census, people can call 1-866-861-2010 or visit the Census Web site www.Census.gov.