The Census is Coming

From the first recorded census in the 5th century B.C.  in Rome to the census ordered by Caesar Augustus at the time of the birth of Jesus; from William the Conqueror’s Doomsday Book census of 1086 A.D., to the first official United States census of August 2, 1790, which took place a little more than a year after the inauguration of our first president George Washington; the census has been a fundamental aspect of any well-run government.

The United States Constitution requires that a national census– a count of everyone residing in the United States and its territories, citizens and non-citizens alike– take place once every ten years.  Participating in the census is required by law, spelled out in Title 13 of the United States Code.  It is also a duty of each one of us, and imperative for our communities.

Why is an accurate count so crucial?  One reason is that, especially as our population increases, it provides a statistical guide for the many decisions that affect us from law enforcement and fire services, to roadway repairs and community improvement projects.  An accurate count also ensures we receive our share of the hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds awarded to states and local communities based on this data.

There are many misconceptions of what is done and where this information ends up. To dispel some of these misconceptions, I made a call to Sandra Alvarado who works with Census Bureau. She says that all answers to the census are used only for counting purposes and that the personal information that is gathered is held in the strictest confidence.

“I am aware of the privacy concerns regarding how census responses are used,” she says.  “They are only collected for statistical purposes, nothing more.  The same Title 13 that requires your response also protects your identity and the information you provide.  Your answers are absolutely confidential; the Census Bureau cannot share your personal information with anyone, including any court or other government agency.”

“I urge all the people living in this country, this state, in your cities and yes, in Carson to champion this count every ten years,” she says. “Carson residents are proud of being one of the fastest growing cities in the South Bay.”

The 2010 Census is taking place now.  If you have not already received your census questionnaire in the mail, you soon will.  I urge you to complete it in a timely manner.  I know I will.

- Zeke Vidaurri