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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010 CB10-CN.21
Contact: Public Information Office
301-763-3691
e-mail:
Press Kit

Census Takers Begin Hand Delivering 2010 Census Questionnaires to 12 Million Addresses

About 56,000 census workers today began hand delivering 2010 Census questionnaires to roughly 12 million addresses across the nation, mostly in rural areas where people do not receive mail at the same location as their residence. Most of nation's 120 million households, about 90 percent of the U.S. population, should look for their 10-question forms to arrive by mail mid-March.
While the majority of areas covered by this operation are rural, the Census Bureau also is delivering forms to Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricane Katrina to ensure everyone is included in the once-a-decade count. Census takers will deliver 2010 Census questionnaires directly to each residence in these areas, leaving a form packaged in a plastic bag at the home's main door. Residents are encouraged to fill out and mail back their census forms — using the enclosed pre-paid envelope — as soon as possible.
“Regardless of whether your census form gets dropped off at your front door or you receive it within a few weeks in your mailbox, it's important that you fill it out and mail it back as soon as possible,” said Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves. “With only 10 questions, the 2010 Census should only take about 10 minutes to complete.”
In 2000, about 72 percent of the population mailed back their census forms — halting a three-decade decline in the national mail participation rate. Mailing back the forms save taxpayers money, as it reduces the number of census takers that must go door-to-door to follow up with households that failed to do so. The Census Bureau saves about $85 million in operational costs for every percentage point increase in the national mail response rate.
“It costs us just 42 cents in a postage paid envelope when households mail back their 2010 Census forms,” Groves said. “The Census Bureau will spend about $25 per person if we have to go out and knock on the doors of households that don't mail them back.”
The Census Bureau is urging everyone to take 10 minutes to fill out their census forms and mail them back. Starting March 22, visitors to the 2010 Census Web site will be able to track how well their communities are participating in the census on a daily basis. Communities will even be able to embed a Web-based tool on their own Web sites that automatically updates the daily rates. An interactive Google-based map is now online that allows visitors to find out how well their communities did in the 2000 Census. The Census Bureau is challenging all communities to improve their 2000 mail participation rates in 2010.
All census responses are confidential. Answers are protected by law and cannot be shared with anyone. The Census Bureau takes extreme measures to protect the identity of individuals and businesses. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' individually identifiable answers with anyone, including tribal housing authorities, other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.
ABOUT THE 2010 CENSUS
The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data are used to apportion congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The 2010 Census form will be one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the respondents and the information they provide.
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All census responses are confidential. Answers are protected by law and cannot be shared with anyone.

That assumes bureaucrats uniformly abide by law. We know just how well that worked with personal info that was released about Joe the Plumber when he ran afoul of The One (yes, it was the state of Ohio, but the same principle applies).

This is what the Constitution says about the census: "Representation and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers ... . The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct." -- Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States"

My question is about the last part, it says, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. What does that mean? Does that mean they can take the census anyway they want? And ask any question they want?

I wonder how far from the mailbox I have to be, before getting a "Hand Delivered" Census? I have a mailbox about 1/4 mile from the front door. But I wouldn't want to "Walk over to my place without the gate keys and combos... And "Mrs. King" May set the dogs on the trespassers, or fire a warning blast from the shotgun. (Maybe both)
Also, not taking the long driveway and crossing pastures would be hazardous to your health. A new black Shorthorn is to the South and the old mean Brahma is to the North. Neither are to be messed with unless you are on Horseback with an experienced cow horse or you are on a tractor feeding them.
So...I wouldn't want to be a census taker out here. Most folks call before they come and nobody cuts pastures without permission or jumps locked gates without knowing the people on the other side pretty well.