Reduction aims for improvement

A significant and historic change was made this year to the way people fill out the census, as the previous 50-question form was reduced to a mere 10 questions, which will account for every citizen who completes the survey.

The drastic change was made in order to get a swifter response to this year's census, and in the end save taxpayer dollars and obtain more accurate information, U.S. Census Bureau media specialist Deni Luna said.

"We are hoping for a better response," she said. "The change was made to encourage more people to complete the census."

She said the 10-question form was sent out to everyone in 2000 as well. But one in six Americans also received the 50-question survey.

Though the 50-question form is done every year for economic reasons, the bureau decided this year to only use the 10-question survey, because that would be enough to account for every one who completes a census, Luna said.

"This is a more simple form. Instead of asking those entire detailed questions, it (asks for) only 10, which should only take 10 minutes, then you can mail it back," she said.

The simplicity of the new questionnaire should motivate more people to complete the survey and mail it back, Luna said.

"This is an opportunity to be accounted for so that everyone gets a fair share of funding," she said.

The census money provides $1,400 a year for each person who completes it, and it is conducted to determine how much money should go to schools, roads, hospitals, social service programs and many other government programs, Luna said.

"I think it is really good that they changed the form," she said.

Census worker Corin Towns said she has noticed an improvement in the perception many have toward the census because of the switch to just the 10-question form.

She said that the older people are more willing to take the census, and when younger people learn that it is only 10 questions, they are more patient with it too.

"When I go to some people's houses, the older people who are more familiar with the census are relieved they do not have to do the long questionnaire," Towns said. "And the younger people are like, ‘It's that quick and easy.'"

Although she does not recall the 2000 census, Towns realizes the impact that it has now.

"I know this is an important tool in helping to get what we need. This will help us to get the funding out and provided to communities," she said. "And who doesn't have 10 minutes to spare to help their community."

Luna said the census will also decide how many legislators are assigned to the House of Representatives for the state.

"The census will determine how $400 billion is dispersed every year for the next 10 years, which is important for communities," she said.

According to the official Web site for this year's census, through information collected from the census, coupled with population estimates and economic data collected from the American Community Survey, the nation will see how significantly it has changed since 2000.

Luna said she is excited to see the response the bureau receives from the 2010 effort and eager to see if the new system will work to its benefit.

Census taker DeAndrea Brown said the brevity of the forms has made it easier to help people and to get more census forms done.

She also said that it is a successful count of the population and will help America move forward.

"Not because of the money, but because it identifies the needs of the people," Brown said.

This is a chance for people to stand up and advocate for what their needs are and be counted, she said.

"I have noticed that more people are ready to take the survey," Brown said. "I hardly get turned down after I educate them about it and tell them how many questions are on the form."

Luna said everything that is on the form is strictly confidential, and nobody's personal information will be shared with anyone except for those working at the U.S. Census Bureau for the purpose of allocating funds and apportionment of political seats.

"This information will not even be shared with the president," she said.

Contact Lamar James at ljames.advocate@gmail.com