April 7, 2009

Markell Encourages Delawareans to Provide Accurate Census Data

First major 2010 census operation to deploy about 500 in Delaware

DOVER – Starting this week, the U.S. Census Bureau is launching a massive operation to verify and update more than 145 million addresses nationwide as it prepares to conduct the 2010 Census. In Delaware, approximately 500 people will carry out the operation, as the yearlong countdown to the 2010 Census officially started on April 1.

“As the U.S. Census Bureau starts its work in Delaware, it is incredibly important for all of our residents to provide the most accurate information available,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Accurate census data will help Delaware receive its fair share of federal funding, which is critical given the historic budgetary and economic challenges facing our state."

Address canvassing in Delaware began April 6 and should conclude by mid-July. The operation will use GPS-equipped hand-held computers to increase geographic accuracy, which will greatly reduce the number of geographic coding errors caused by using paper maps in previous counts. Nationally, more than 140,000 census workers will participate in the canvassing operation, which is a critical first step in assuring every housing unit receives a census questionnaire in March 2010.

“The primary goal of the census is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place,” said Fernando Armstrong, Philadelphia regional director at the U.S. Census Bureau. “Because the census is used for reapportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and the distribution of more than $300 billion in federal dollars every year to state and local governments, it’s essential to get this first step right.”

The address canvassing operation is conducted through 151 local census offices across the U.S., including those in New Castle, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Most offices began operations April 6. In most cases, census workers will knock on residents’ doors to verify addresses and inquire about additional living quarters on the premises. This is the first census to include group quarters, such as dormitories, group homes, prisons and homeless shelters, in the address canvassing operation, which should improve both the accuracy and coverage of the final count.

Census workers can be identified by the official Census Bureau badge they carry. During the address canvassing operation, census workers may ask to verify a housing structure’s address and whether additional living quarters exist on the property.2010 Census workers will never ask for bank or social security information. All census information collected, including addresses, are confidential and protected by law. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with the FBI, the IRS, CIA, Welfare, Immigration or any other government agency. No court of law or law enforcement agency can find out respondents’ answers. All Census Bureau employees, including temporary employees, take an oath for life to keep census information confidential. Any violation of that oath is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and five years in prison.