The past couple of weeks I have been training to be a Quality Control Census Field Supervisor, just a tiny, tiny cog in the giant wheel that will comprise the 2020 count of people throughout the United States.
So What?
I also worked for the census in 2010 as an enumerator, going to homes that hadn’t responded to paper surveys. So, I know a little about the work. But it’s changed considerably in 10 years. And I’m working in a pre-census phase just now. I want you to appreciate the value of this entire endeavor.
Three reasons the census matters include the following:
–Some $675 billion annually in federal dollars for things like highways, fire, police and schools are doled out based upon population; I’ve been told that amounts to $1,500 to $2,000 in money to local government for every person counted;
–U.S. representation in Congress is based upon census numbers–the higher the numbers in a state, the more seats in the House of Representatives are allocated;
–Businesses and government use census data to determine where and how to build new facilities, even new subdivisions, shopping centers or apartment buildings.
My Job
My current job is as a Quality Control Field Supervisor. This means I have a team that will be spot checking the previous work teams have done to ensure that the Census has a complete list of addresses. I’ll help my team and perhaps go behind them again and do some small amount of spot checking.
April 1, 2020
This is all predating the actual Census which attempts to count everyone and every home in the United States as of April 1, 2020. Everyone on record will receive an invitation to participate. They can do so online, on paper or by phone. If they don’t respond, they will receive followup contacts as the Census tries to ensure a full count.
My 2010 Experience
In 2010 I was a Census taker who went to homes or apartments to contact those who hadn’t initially responded. Generally, my experience was good. But there were some people who were wary and downright rude. They have their right to privacy, of course. But I was uncomfortable in some situations.
Safety First
The Census tells QC Field workers and Census takers to consider safety first. I encountered some cases with large dogs in the yards, so I didn’t enter there, though a few times the dog owner came out and talked to me. The dogs, it turned out, were scary looking but harmless as long as the owner was present.
The Lonely
I also encountered some people, mostly elderly, who were happy to have a visitor. They often invited me into their homes and offered a cool drink, something welcome in the summer. But we aren’t allowed to enter people’s homes and should politely refuse the drinks. We should, however, carry water with us, especially during these 100-degree Texas summer days.
College Students
A special problem I encountered in 2010 was that of college students who said they were counted at their parents’ home. I had to convince them that they need to be counted locally since they were living here on April 1. It’s only fair since the local community provides police, fire protection, streets and other infrastructure to the 38,000-enrollment college in our town. But there’s also a danger in the students’ being double counted–both at their college address and parents’ address. And that’s not good either. The key is for everyone to pay attention to the idea of place of residence on April 1.
So Why Am I Telling You This?
I hope when a QC Field agent or later Census taker comes to your door, you’ll be welcoming and helpful. Keep in mind that any information you impart is confidential, protected by federal law for 72 years. Remember, you want your local street programs, fire departments and police to have adequate resources. One of the best ways to ensure that is to make certain everyone in your community is counted–you too!