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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-16-2010 - 3a1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 16, 2010 Action Agenda Item No. ,~ - Q~ SUBJECT: Census 2010 Presentation DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Clerk to the Board ATTACHMENTS: 1. Frequently Asked Questions 2. PowerPoint Presentation INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Altieri, 245-2575 Donna Baker, 245-2130 PURPOSE: To receive a presentation on the 2010 Census. BACKGROUND: This month, more than 130 million addresses will receive a 2010 Census form by mail or hand delivery. The 2010 Census will document the changes in the nation since the last decennial census in 2000, and detail how the country has evolved. Because census data affect how more than $400 billion in federal funding is distributed to tribal, state and local governments, the census also will frame the future of the country and Orange County for the next 10 years. During Census 2000, the mail participation rate was 72 percent as of the April 2000 cut-off. Approximately $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation. For these and many other reasons, everyone must work to encourage participation in the census. Important things to know about the 2010 Census are: It's easy. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. The individual in whose name the housing unit is rented or owned should complete the form on behalf of every person living there, both relatives and nonrelatives. It's important. Census data are used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments. Information from the census helps determine locations for child-care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers. It's safe. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share respondents' answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. The most efficient way to respond to the 2010 Census is to complete the form as soon as it arrives and return it in the postage-paid return envelope. Between May and June of this year, Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take the count in person. Attachment 1 provides a list of Frequently Asked Questions and responses. If members of the public have questions about the 2010 Census, including Census jobs, contact can be made at Local Census Office: DURHAM LOCAL CENSUS OFFICE (Serving Vance, and Warren Counties) 201 West Main Street, Ste. 201 Durham, NC 27701-3228 919-328-1310 Durham, Franklin, Granville, Orange, Person, Additional information is also available online at http://2010census.nc.gov. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct public fiscal impact regarding this item. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends the Board receive the presentation from staff. 3 Attachment 1 Frequently Asked Questions When will the census forms be delivered? The form package, which will consist of the initial form, a cover letter and a return envelope, will be delivered between March 15 and March 17, 2010, in areas where the United States Postal Service delivers the census forms for the Census Bureau. Census Bureau workers will deliver forms between March 1 and April 30, 2010, in all other areas. Who should fill out the census form? The head of household should complete the form on behalf of every person living in the residence on April 1, 2010, including relatives and non-relatives. The person filling out the form should include information about all household members (including himself/herself and infants) who live and sleep at the address most of the time. The person also should include people who are staying there on April 1, 2010, who have no permanent place to stay. The Census Bureau is required by the U.S. Constitution to count everyone living in this country, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. What should I do after I get the form? Fill out the form in blue or black ink and mail it back in the enclosed, postage- paid envelope as soon as possible. How will the 2010 Census differ from previous censuses? In 2010, every residence will receive a short form of just 10 questions. More detailed socioeconomic information previously collected through the decennial census will be asked annually of a small percentage of the population through the American Community Survey. To learn more about the American Community Survey, visit www.census.gov/acs. How are census data used? Census data determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census data also help determine the allocation of federal funds for community services, such as school lunch programs and senior citizen centers, and new construction, such as highways and hospitals. Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to local, state and tribal governments based on census data. How does the Census Bureau count people without a permanent residence? Census Bureau workers undertake extensive operations to take in-person counts of people living in group quarters, such as college dormitories, military barracks, nursing homes and shelters, as well as those who have been displaced by natural disasters. 4 How long will it take to complete the form? One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. What questions are asked on the 2010 Census form? Four general questions are asked about the household: • If the housing unit is owned or rented • Telephone number • How many people live in the residence • If any additional people who lived at the residence on April 1, 2010, were not included And for each household member, the Census Bureau asks: • Name • Sex • Age and date of birth • Relationship to the person who owns or rents this residence • Whether this person is of Hispanic origin • Race • If this person sometimes lives or stays elsewhere Do I have to respond to the 2010 Census? Yes, your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law. Title 13 section 221 of the United States Code requires your response. Title 13 also requires that the Census Bureau keep respondents' answers confidential and uses them only for tabulations that do not reveal any personal data about individuals or households. What happens if I don't respond? Although the law makes it a crime not to answer the decennial census, the American Community Survey and other mandatory censuses, and authorizes the courts to impose a fine of up to $5,000 for failure to respond, the Census Bureau views this approach as a last resort. Rather than emphasizing or seeking the imposition of penalties, the Census Bureau encourages response by explaining the importance of the questions it asks and how the information benefits the community. Can I get paid to complete this form? No, your participation is required by law. 5 What is the due date for returning the form? Households should complete and mail back their forms upon receipt. Ideally, all forms will be returned by Census Day on April 1, 2010. Census workers will visit households that do not return forms to take a count in person. Can I respond on the Internet? No, this option is not available. Please complete and mail back your census form so the Census Bureau can get a complete and accurate count in 2010. What type of assistance is available to help people complete the form? 2010 Census form language assistance guides are available in at least 59 languages. Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) also will assist those unable to read or understand the form. A Teletext Device for the Deaf (TDD) program will help the hearing impaired. Contact your Regional Census Center for more details about the types of assistance available and for QAC locations. DURHAM LOCAL CENSUS OFFICE (Serving Durham, Franklin, Granville, Orange, Person, Vance, and Warren Counties) 201 West Main Street, Ste. 201 Durham, NC 27701-3228 919-328-1310 Why does the Census Bureau want our names? The Census Bureau requests names for the following reasons: To help ensure people are not counted twice in the census. To help eliminate simple errors like counting "Mary Jones" as a male. To allow you, and only you, to obtain a record from the Census Bureau at a later time if necessary for proving age, citizenship or family relationship. Some people need this information to qualify for Social Security benefits, to obtain passports and to have official proof for other purposes. Although names are requested, the Census Bureau treats names the same as other census information provided - it is protected by law and strictly confidential. Information collected is used for statistical purposes only; the Census Bureau cannot publish or release information that would .identify you or your household. Why does the Census Bureau need my telephone number? The Census Bureau may need to clarify your form responses. If the Bureau has a telephone number, it may be able to do this without having to send a census worker to your home. Your telephone number is kept confidential, as are all your responses. 6 Why does the Census Bureau ask about race and Hispanic origin? The Census Bureau collects race data in accordance with guidelines provided by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and these data are based on self- identification. The racial categories included in the census form generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country, and are not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically or genetically. In addition, it is recognized that the categories of the race item include racial and national origin orsocio-cultural groups. People may choose to report more than one race to indicate their racial mixture, such as "American Indian and White." People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino or Spanish may be of any race. In addition, it is recognized that the categories of the race item include both racial and national origin or socio-cultural groups. You may choose more than one race category. Information on race is required for many federal programs and is critical in making policy decisions, particularly for civil rights. States use these data to meet legislative redistricting principles. Race data also are used to promote equal employment opportunities and to assess racial disparities in health and environmental risks. Why doesn't the race question include more categories? The race categories are those that are approved for data collection purposes by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. For more information, visit the Office of Management and Budget Web site at: www.Whitehouse.qov/omb/fedreg/1997standards. html. Why does the census form have room for only six people? The Census Bureau decided to use asix-person form for the 2010 Census based on extensive research that indicated that most households contain six or fewer people. Given the small number of households with seven or more people, it is less expensive for the Census Bureau to follow up with those households than it is to produce, print and mail a form with space for seven or more people. Do we count Americans living abroad? Yes, in some cases. The 2010 Census counts will include federal employees (military and civilian) and their dependents living overseas with them that can be assigned to a home state. These data are provided to the Census Bureau by the employing federal departments and agencies through their administrative records. However, private U.S. citizens living abroad who are not affiliated with the federal government (either as employees or their dependents) will not be included in the overseas counts. These overseas counts are used solely for reapportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. What if this address is not a residence or home? If there is an apartment, mobile home, room or group of rooms where people live or stay at this address, then a household member who is at least 15 years of age can fill out and return the form by mail in the postage-paid envelope provided. If the address is nonresidential or if people do not live or stay at that address, then do not complete the form. A census worker will visit the address to verify that it is nonresidential and remove the address from the master address list. If you receive additional letters or forms in the mail, simply ignore them. What if the housing unit at the address is vacant on Census Day? If the housing unit is vacant on Census Day, then do not complete the form. A census worker will visit the address and collect information from a knowledgeable respondent on the status of the unit. If you receive additional letters or forms in the mail, simply ignore them. We are all visitors at this address. Should we fill out the form? No, include only those people who live or stay there most of the time. But if you have no other permanent place to stay, you should fill out the form. If no one lives there most of the time, then enter a zero in question one for the number of people. Do not mark any other items. Please return the form in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. I returned my completed form but a census worker still visited my home. Why? The Census Bureau may not have received your form in time to update the census worker's assignment, or your form may have been delayed or lost in the mail. When this happens, the Bureau instructs the census worker to collect your information anyway to remove the risk of not receiving your information. Do I fill out the form if I'm moving out before April 1, 2010, or if the unit will be vacant on April 1, 2010? No, please do not complete the form. The census counts people where they live on April 1, 2010; look for a form to be delivered to your new address. Why did I receive a bilingual form? The Census Bureau is providing this form in areas where census data suggest there are many Spanish speakers who could benefit from receiving a form in Spanish as well as English. The Bureau believes this will help respondents complete the form with limited assistance from the Census Bureau. Is information shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service, courts or the police? No, individual census records are not shared with anyone, including government agencies or private organizations. It is against the law for the Census Bureau to give personally identifiable information about an individual to any other individual or agency until 72 years after it is collected for the decennial census. After 72 8 years, the individual census records are sent to the National Archives where they are made public primarily for genealogical research. What are "Be Counted" forms? Be Counted forms are census forms that are available at various community locations for use by people who either did not receive a census form in the mail or who believe they were not otherwise included on any other census form. Be Counted forms will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian. The form should be picked up and mailed back in the attached postage-paid envelope. The deadline for mailing a Be Counted form is May 1, 2010. I've heard talk about the American Community Survey. What is it and why is the Census Bureau conducting it? The American Community Survey is part of the Decennial Census Program. While the 10-year census counts the number of people who live in the United States, the American Community Survey shows how people live -our education, housing, jobs and more. The American Community Survey asks essentially the same questions that used to be on the long form of the census, except it is conducted throughout the year and throughout the decade. This allows the Census Bureau to produce new data every year, instead of only once every 10 years. So, while the old "long form" was aonce-a-decade snapshot of an area -one that grew increasingly faded with age -the American Community Survey takes a new picture every year, creating ayear-by-year look at how the area is changing. When will data from the census be available? The population counts will be delivered to the President of the United States within nine months of Census Day (on or before Dec. 31, 2010), as required by law. This report will show the apportionment population counts by state, and the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives apportioned to each state. 9 Ce us~ 2010 .~:.~ Orange~County `;~~; Board of Coun#y Commissioners `Meeting March 16, 20~ 0 i What is the Census? ^The Census is a count of everyone living in the United`States. ,q, _ ^ It is taken through a Questionnaire: 10 questions, 10 minutes to complete. i i 1. 10 Why do We Take the Census? • It is required by law. and mandated by The U.S. Constitution. ,..:-. .:. ~~ • Helps .paint a~ portrait o;~America, an evolution over the past:~0-years and what's needed for the next decade. • State population totals must be submitted to the President by December 31, 2010. 3 What Happens if You Don't Respond? _ r: • The law makes it a crime not to respond ;.~, and can carry a fine up~o $5,000. ~~ ~.. a'.r}: • However, ,this is a last resort and the Census Bureau prefers to encourage response by explaining its importance. 2 11 How is it Used? • Determines congressional seats. • Defines where jobs and job`programs are needed.. • Helps potential homeowners research property values and other dem©graphic information. • Corporations use data for market research to determine locations for food stores, pharmacies and other services. How is it Used (Cont.)? • Census data are used t~ distribute over $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each~y~ar. -Grants to educational agencies (school-districts) - Women, lnfar~~s; aril Cl~ildrer~ ~~WIC) (foodgrants) - Head Start programs °` -Public transportation - Road rehabilitation and construction - Programs for the elderly - Emergency food and shelter - And more! i 3 12 Will the 2010 Census be the same as 20:00? No, there are importa~t~changes: y.~ • 2010 Census v~ill be si~~~r-t forrn'only just ~~.L 10 questions (Long ....form. ~s now the ~~: American G©mmunity Ski=rvey). • 13 million bilingual questionnaires (English/Spanish). Questionnaire items 1. Name _ ~.F. ~~~ 2. Relationship to owner ~ '~ ~p ~'~~ ~~ h •..e 3. Gender ,t~ ~` 4. A e 1~~.°°; 9 5. Date of birth "'~ r 6. Race - ~ ,y.~'; i, 7. Telephone number 8. Owns or rents 9. Number of people living in home 10. How long have people resided in the home 8 4 13 Final Response Rates 2000 Census • Nation .72°i/o • North Carolina 66~ • Alamance County 69%° ~ ~-~ • Caswell County `` 60af~" • Durham County 70°la, • Orange County 70% • Person County 66% , , • Wake County 73% ` , >, ~;~ ~p 9 Orange County Population ..~ - 1990 US Census: 93;51 - 2000 US Census: 1 ~Gv~,531 - 2010 OC Plar~nang.t ~~.1 Estimate: ~~ 130;000 14~~,000* ,o 1 5 14 Census Guidin _~ • It'sSafe! ~~ ~ • It's Importan • It's Easy! Principles:. ,, 1 The Census is Safe • Answers are pro~ected~ by law. • Records are not shared with anyone. blot even the President of the United'~~~Sates can access individual resp©nses. ~"~;~: .-~_ • Census workers .must pass security and employment reference checks. • Census Bureau employees are subject to a $250,000 fine and/or a 5-year prison term. ,2 1 6 15 The Census is Important! • Data is used to app~o'rtion the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. ~~ r r~ . • Appropriate X400 billion in federal. funds to states and .commun`ities`~each year. • Redistricting of state legislatures and city councils, and voting districts. 93 I The Census is Easy! • Questionnait-es reaching Orange County mailboxes right now (arch 201.0) • Short Form - 10 Questions, 10 minutes • Bilingual Mail Forms {English/Spanish) '14 7 The Easiest Way to Respond is to: 1. Complete the form;as soon as it arrives; and 2. Return it in the postage-pa"d return envelope. ~~ Y Head of Household shou/d- complete questionnaire for everyone living in the residence on April 7, 2010:`` is '~ Non-Response Follow-Up • May -July 2010, Census workers ~~ (Enumerators) must go~door-to-door if necessary. to collect date..., .~ ~~~ • This task is``very expens ve. - $85 million is saved for every 1 % increase in mail participation. - $60-$70 dollars saved for each form returned by mail. ,6 16 8 17 Enumerator Practices • Carry Black Bag with "U.S. Census Bureau" ~ ` on side of bag' . _ • Wear~white badge red and blue lettering with. ~ ~ ~~~ no picture '~~ '~ ~~~ , ~- • Wear Emergency Contact Card i~th badge `" ~~ that provides numbers #or key contacts - • Provide confidentiality Statement `'";.'- • Provide additionaC'identification (if requested) • Allow calling of supervisor. or census office • Adhere to confidentiality requirements ~:w'` • Will not use a Handheld Computer ,, I Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) • Local Centers will be `mailable to assist those unable to`read ounderstand the form.. ~ ~~,, ~, .~ ~ , , • Centers will be fully s#a#fed. • Language Assistance Guides will.. be available in 59. Tanguages at all Centers. • Locations of Centers will be forthcoming. ~$ 1 9 18 For More Information: US Census: www.census.govl2010Census~~:ti.,, ~.. _ NC Census`: ~~ http://www.osbm:state.nc.us/ncosbm/facts and fig ures/census/nc~010/ Local Census: http://www.co.orange.nc.us/planning/census2010.a sp 19 For Questions or Assistance: DURHAM LOCAL CENSUS' OFFICE (Serving Durham, Franklin, Granville, Orange, Person Vance, and Warren Counties) f: 201 West Main Street, Ste. 201,^~Durham'NC (919)328-1310 ,F' ~ ~fh. ;:r ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT 131 W. Margaret Lane, Suite 201, Hillsborough, NC Phone: (919) 245-2575 ..... `20 10 19 "Take 10" Do you ha a 10-minutes? :~~ Please.. join mein #aking',10-rni~utes to complete and return your census form. Thank you. ~dSiat~° ~ens~s 200 2, 11