Why Do We Take the Census?

The U.S. Constitution requires a headcount every 10 years of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens, and noncitizens.  The first census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then.

The next census occurs in 2010.  The population totals from this census will determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives'.  States also use the totals to redraw their legislative districts.

How Is Census Data Used? 

The total population affects funding in the community and data collected in the census helps inform decision makers how the village is changing. 

Approximately $300 billion in federal funding is distributed to communities each year. A short count may mean that the village isn't getting its fair share of this funding. The federal government uses population data to allocate funds in a number of areas:

• School Districts across the nation
• Head Start Programs
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (food grants)
• Public Transportation
• Road Rehabilitation & Construction
• Programs for the Elderly
• Emergency Food & Shelter

What Does the Census Form Look Like? 

Census forms will be distributed in March. The 2010 Census will have one of the shortest census questionnaires in the history of the United States, dating back to the first census in 1790.  The 2010 Census Short Form will ask name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether the head of household owns or rents their home.  The census form will only take about 10 minutes on average to complete, and answers are protected by law and strictly confidential.  If you do not return your census form, census workers will follow-up with delinquent households between May and July. 

 

Is Census Data Confidential?

 

YES!

 

Your answers are protected by law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code, Section 9) and are strictly confidential. It is illegal for the Census Bureau, or its employees to share your personal information with any other government agency.

 

How Can I Get a Job With the Census Bureau?

The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for thousands of people to work in temporary jobs across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The jobs involve going door-to-door to interview residents.

Job applicants are required to take a skills test and undergo a background check. Most jobs require U.S. citizenship, a driver’s license, and use of a vehicle. The Census Bureau is also looking for people who are bilingual.

 Please contact the Census Bureau at 1.866.861.2010 for employment information.

 

 

Trouble Completing Your Census Form?

 

The U.S. Census Bureau has set up 3 sites in Schaumburg to assist residents with the completion of their forms. 

  

Questionnaire Assistance Center (QAC)

A QAC is staffed by a bilingual Census representative approximately 15 hours per week.  The QAC will also have Language Guides in 59 languages to help those who need assistance. 

 

•    Schaumburg Township District Library - 130 S. Roselle Road 

•    Hours for the QAC  are as follows:  

Day	Hours
Monday	9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Tuesday	9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Wednesday	9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Thursday	9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday	9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday	10 a.m. -  5 p.m.
Sunday	12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

 

 

 

Be Counted Centers

Be Counted Centers are unattended.  If you have not received your form or have lost your form, you can stop by 1 of the 2 locations above, to pick a new form up.  Questionnaires will also be available in English, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Korean, and modern Chinese.

 

2 Be Counted Sites have been set up in Schaumburg:

 

•   Meineke Recreation Center - 220 E. Weathersfield Way
•    Schaumburg Community Recreation Center - 505 N. Springinsguth Road

 Hours of operation for a Be Counted Site are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

 

Why are Census Workers Trying to Contact Me?

 

Census Takers will be conducting home visits for those residents that did not complete their Census form.  Census Takers willl  be  targeting  non  responders  throughout  the  week  including  evenings  and  weekends  to  try  to  reach  them  when  they’re  home.  If  they’re  unsuccessful,  they  will  attempt  to  reach  them  at  other  times  and  possibly  ask  neighbors  what  time  they  think  might  be  best  to  find  them  at  home.  

 

For your safety and information, please keep in mind the following:

 

• Census  Takers  will  seek  to  conduct  interviews  at  the  door.  They will not enter homes.   
• They  will  have  a  census  ID  badge  with  a  Department  of  Commerce  watermark  and  expiration  date.  The badge will not have a photo.  The  census  taker  may  also  be  carrying  a  black  census  bag  with  a  white Census  Bureau  logo.  
• Contrary to some reports, they will NOT have hand‐held computers.   
• They  may  make  multiple  attempts  to  reach  a  resident  and  may  ask  neighbors  when  the  resident  is usually  home  or  the  best  time  to  reach  them.   
• They will NOT ask  for  bank  account  numbers,  income,  credit  card  numbers  or  social  security  numbers.  Nor will  they  solicit  for  donations  or  contact  you  by  email.  They also  will  not  ask  for  your  citizenship  status.   However,  the  Census  Bureau  conducts  other  surveys  throughout  the  course  of  the  year  and  its  possible other  workers  may  be  working  in  some  areas  and  asking  for  more  personal  detailed  information  for unemployment,  consumer  expenditure  or  health  surveys.   
• If  asked,  they  will  provide  you  with  supervisor  contact  information  and/or  the  Local  Census  Office  phone  number  for  verification.