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Effingham Daily News: Census rolls out simplified survey in March
Cathy Thoele
Effingham Daily News
February 01, 2010 10:35 am
-- ST. ELMO -- Some residents may not be thrilled about the 2010 Census, remembering how daunting it
was a decade ago. But this time, the U.S. Census Bureau promises is will be much easier.
As the surveys begin arriving in mailboxes next month, they will be shorter and less intrusive. The previous
Census was longer and included more personal information, which could be why some St. Elmo residents
chose not to fill them out a decade ago. St. Elmo is one of the towns being targeted by the Census Bureau
this year after less than 50 percent of the city's population returned their surveys in the 2000 Census.
"I think the concern was some of the questions being what people consider too personal," said Deborah
Philpot, chairwoman of the St. Elmo 2010 Census City Complete County Committee.
Philpot said the current Census is much simpler and not quite as personal as previous ones. One of the
personal questions missing from the current Census is income. According to the bureau, detailed questions
about socioeconomic status are no longer needed on the decennial survey. That information is collected
through the American Community Survey, which is much longer and more detailed than the 2010 Census
survey.
The lack of income questions is one of the reasons the survey is shorter this year. In fact, according to the
bureau, the 10-question form is one of the shortest in history and will only take 10 minutes to complete.
For the first time since 1930, all addresses in the U.S. will receive the short form. In recent Censuses, most
addresses received one or two forms -- either a short form, which focused on population count and
demographics or a long form that included additional questions on socioeconomic and housing
characteristics. In 2000, about one in six households received the long form. When the answers from both
forms were combined, the result was not only a population count, but also a picture of how Americans live.
While the longer American Community Survey will still be part of the Census sent out every decade, it also
will be collected on a continuing basis annually once a month to 1 percent of the population.
The shorter 2010 Census focuses on demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, race, relationship and
housing. The American Survey delves deeper and focuses on social, economic and housing characteristics.
The forms will be due back in the bureau April 1 and for those who don't have theirs in by then, the bureau
will begin sending people door to door. However, Philpot said those applying for Census-taking jobs have
not been as prevalent as the bureau was hoping.
While the Census determines legislative districts, it is important to underserved areas like St. Elmo that rely
on federal funding for everything from health care services and job training to education and roads. Which is
why St. Elmo Census Committee, made up of community leaders, has planned a number of activities to get
the word out on the current Census. Committee members are Philpot, superintendent of St. Elmo School
District; Alice True of the Ministerial Alliance; Jimmy Giffin, Ministerial Alliance and St. Elmo Business
Association; David Maxey, Lions Club; Bobbi McCall, St. Elmo Business Association; and Dale Sperry, St.
Elmo Cub Scouts.
The committee will have information tables at upcoming basketball and volleyball games and fundraisers in
the community. Information also is available at St. Elmo businesses, St. Elmo Food Pantry and Angel Food
Ministries.
The school district has also taken an integral role in encouraging residents to return their Census since
Census figures determine the amount of Title I funds the district receives. The funds are based on low
income and help fund reading and math programs to help increase student learning, as well as fund the staff
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for those programs.
In addition, the district plans to post information on its Web site and use the school reach phone system
toward the end of March to ask parents to participate in the Census.
Philpot said although the American Community Survey should not be confused with the shorter 2010
Census Survey, they're both important.
"They both generate much needed data for Census figures," she said.
Cathy Thoele can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 126 or cathy.thoele@effinghamdailynews.com.