Census Mail Participation Rate

**renf** · March-23-10, 07:52 AM

April 1 is Census Day but the Census Bureau began a daily posting of the mail
participation rate, that is the percent of forms sent out that have been mailed back.
These numbers for states, cities, counties and neighborhoods are on line at:
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/

As of this morning, the Mail Participation rates were as follows:

Nation 13%
State of Michigan 12%
City of Detroit 2%
Ann Arbor 4%
Southfiield 11%
Novi 12%
Farmington Hills 14%
Troy 18%

**johnsmith** · March-23-10, 08:02 AM

Wow, that many people were able to answer the very first question on the form, and it's only March 23.

Question #1 from the census:
"How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?"

I'm part of the 88% in Mich. that have not responded yet because the way it is worded, I cannot truthfully and honestly answer that question until April 2, 2010.

**dtowncitylover** · March-23-10, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by johnsmith

Wow, that many people were able to answer the very first question on the form, and it's only March 23.

Question #1 from the census:
"How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?"

I'm part of the 88% in Mich. that have not responded yet because the way it is worded, I cannot truthfully and honestly answer that question until April 2, 2010.

Oh don't be such a smart-ass. Good point though. I was filling out my family's form and my brother turned 19 on March 18, so I had to remember not to put 18, but 19, as I filled it out before his birthday.

Has anyone out there been visited? My father couldn't remember if we were visited in the 2000 Census. I guess it's not 1930 anymore so mass mail might be more effective. I also thought the 2000 Census asked Whites about their ethnic group as well, i.e. German, French, English, etc.

One more question! I heard they kept "Negro" because 50,000 responded as such in the last census. Who were these people? If that's the way you want to be identified I guess that's your business, but I'm just wondering.

**johnsmith** · March-23-10, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

Oh don't be such a smart-ass. Good point though

They threaten you with fines if you don't fill it out truthfully. If they really can fine you under the law, then I am forced to assume that it is a legal document. So I cannot truthfully answer it yet, and they cannot expect me to, until April 2nd. Otherwise it would be perjury with the way the question is written.

**jackie5275** · March-23-10, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by johnsmith

They threaten you with fines if you don't fill it out truthfully. If they really can fine you under the law, then I am forced to assume that it is a legal document. So I cannot truthfully answer it yet, and they cannot expect me to, until April 2nd. Otherwise it would be perjury with the way the question is written.

Is it perjury if you haven't taken an oath? I really don't think the Census Bureau is going to be looking to levy a fine against people who answered with a reasonable answer before April 1st. I think unless you have household members who are pregnant with an imminent due date or in hospice who could die at anytime, for most people, it is "reasonable to assume" whoever you have in your house today will be the same ones there next Thursday. Complete the form, mail it, and get it over with. That's what I did. I don't PSAs from the feds or anyone else nagging me to submit this form.

**johnsmith** · March-23-10, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by jackie5275

Is it perjury if you haven't taken an oath? I really don't think the Census Bureau is going to be looking to levy a fine against people who answered with a reasonable answer before April 1st. I think unless you have household members who are pregnant with an imminent due date or in hospice who could die at anytime, for most people, it is "reasonable to assume" whoever you have in your house today will be the same ones there next Thursday. Complete the form, mail it, and get it over with. That's what I did. I don't PSAs from the feds or anyone else nagging me to submit this form.

I'm just being difficult to be difficult. My line of work requires very specific technical language, and I was just pointing out this little detail. I'm still waiting for April 2nd to give them my household's headcount anyway.

As far as the perjury, I don't think it has to necessarily be an oath. For example, if you read the 1040 form where you have to sign it, on that form, it is a declaration you make "under penalties of perjury."

Now, for the census form, there is no declaration to be made or even a signature required. It's even addressed to "resident", no specific person. How can fines be imposed then? And to whom would they be imposed? Heck, the census even got people's addresses in Ferndale, Oak Park, Gross Pointe among others wrong. People there got forms that were mailed to "Detroit" with the Ferndale, Oak Park, Gross Pointe zip codes. What's up with that? Can they scratch out Detroit and put their true city on there? If you don't, are you lying about your address?

**EMG** · March-23-10, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by johnsmith

Wow, that many people were able to answer the very first question on the form, and it's only March 23.

Question #1 from the census:
"How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?"

I'm part of the 88% in Mich. that have not responded yet because the way it is worded, I cannot truthfully and honestly answer that question until April 2, 2010.

I remember thinking that too when I saw that form, but then I decided I'm confident enough in my longevity that I went ahead and answered it assuming I'll still be alive. [[If I'm not, after all, what are they going to do to me? Haul my corpse to jail?) Besides, less and less of what the government does makes any sense these days anyway, so if there's an error in their logic I don't feel obligated to take it seriously.

Interestingly enough, even though I filled out and sent back the form immediately the day it arrived in my mailbox, just the other day I got a postcard reminding me to be sure to fill it out [[but thanking me and saying I could disregard the notice if I had already filled the form out). So it's pretty reasonable to conclude it's not their intent for us to wait until 4/1.

**DetroitPlanner** · March-23-10, 08:16 AM

I am with John, I find it funny that people can truthfully fill that thing out in advance. You don't know whats going to happen between now and April 1.

Dtown, no one will be visited until after April 1. They cannot visit before April 1 and ask those questions. In terms of additional information that used to be collected through the census, the American Community Survey has been established to get the socio-economic data through sampling on a more regular basis. This was done because it makes no sense to use 10 year old data, because by the 10th year about ten percent of the population has died and another 30-40 percent has moved.

Buy American · March-23-10, 10:54 AM

I'm po'd with the waste from all this. About a week before I got the Census form I received a letter telling me I would receive it. Then I received the form a week later. Then, a week after I received it, I got another form telling me I should have received it. What's with all the reminders??? Wasteful spending by the Federal Government AGAIN.
The point that johnsmith made is a very good one, indeed. I guess I broke the law because I filled mine out before April 1.

Retroit · March-23-10, 11:39 AM

I urge everyone to send in their Census so that we can be fairly represented in Congress.

...like, you know, the 54% of us that did not want Obamacare.

[[source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/publ...th_care_reform)

**gazhekwe** · March-23-10, 11:05 AM

On the Census website they have posted a notice that you can answer it now with your belief of what the conditions will be on April 1. So go ahead, it is taken care of.

2010 Census: Questionnaire due date

Question What is the due date for returning the questionnaire?

Answer IF ASKED BEFORE April 1, 2010: The Census Bureau does not establish a due date for returning the questionnaire, but we ask that you mail back the questionnaire as soon as possible. Even though the census counts people as of April 1, if you plan on living at the address on the questionnaire on April 1, you can complete the questionnaire now and mail it back in the postage-paid envelope.
IF ASKED ON OR AFTER April 1, 2010: The Census Bureau does not establish a due date for returning the questionnaire, but we ask that you mail back the questionnaire as soon as possible. Please complete your questionnaire now and return it to us. If we do not receive your questionnaire soon, a census worker may visit your house and complete one with you.

**RaumVogel** · March-23-10, 03:47 PM

You people are crazy to be so paranoid...I have proof:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzHtm1jhL4

**izzyindetroit** · March-23-10, 12:46 PM

I documented that there are 12 people living in my two bedroom apartment.

Is that illegal??

**Detroitnerd** · March-23-10, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by izzyindetroit

I documented that there are 12 people living in my two bedroom apartment.

Is that illegal??

That's the sort of data that could be used to target immigrants.

**DetroitPlanner** · March-23-10, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by izzyindetroit

I documented that there are 12 people living in my two bedroom apartment.

Is that illegal??

We should all do this so we don't lose a congressional seat, heck we might gain one! Of course the stats would then reflect an 80 percent unemployment rate and a per capita income of $2,000!

**Swimmaven** · March-23-10, 12:51 PM

If you don't bother filling it out, then someone will come to your door asking the questions on the form. It is a job created. I applied and hope I am able to work for the census. Haven't worked in years.

**jcole** · March-23-10, 01:02 PM

Here's the actual phrasing of the 'handicapped' question of 1870:
Attachment 5582

**Hermod** · March-23-10, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by jcole

Here's the actual phrasing of the 'handicapped' question of 1870:
Attachment 5582

Rather precise terms that PC has gotten us away from.

These used to be classifications:

Mental deficiency used to be more finely classified using the following technical terms that later began to be abused by the rest of society [[5):

IQ Range Classification 70-80 Borderline deficiency 50-69 Moron 20-49 Imbecile below 20 Idiot

**jcole** · March-23-10, 01:04 PM

Actually, if it wasn't for the census, I would never have known that my family originally came from Canada, my great-great-great grandfather was an engineer in a logging camp and his sons were loggers, too, and that my great grandfather was a twin whose brother died when he was 14.

**dtowncitylover** · March-23-10, 01:11 PM

Is it a crime to lie on the Census? Cause then my great-grandma is guilty. In the 1920 Census she put her father being born in France. In the 1930, she put Pennsylvannia, the correct answer. My father always talked about her wanting to be French, but c'mon!

**Detroitnerd** · March-23-10, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

Is it a crime to lie on the Census? Cause then my great-grandma is guilty. In the 1920 Census she put her father being born in France. In the 1930, she put Pennsylvannia, the correct answer. My father always talked about her wanting to be French, but c'mon!

That is a good point. The information on historical censuses isn't always correct!

**dtowncitylover** · March-23-10, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

That is a good point. The information on historical censuses isn't always correct!

No, because in the 1930 Census my grandma, the same family, is Mary Buby not Mary Bube, the right name.

**Johnlodge** · March-23-10, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

No, because in the 1930 Census my grandma, the same family, is Mary Buby not Mary Bube, the right name.

My family had some odd spellings too. I imagine they said their name to the census taker, and rather than deal with their broken English, he just decided how to spell it himself. I may be mistaken, but isn't the handwriting on one of those 30's census forms all the same? Not filled out by the person, but by the census taker?

Edit: yes, here a sample
http://www.duryeapa.com/1930to1939/P...e%20Martin.jpg

**Detroitnerd** · March-23-10, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

No, because in the 1930 Census my grandma, the same family, is Mary Buby not Mary Bube, the right name.

Oh, yes. Pardon me. That completely disproves my ... hey! Wait a second!

**MikeM** · March-23-10, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by jcole

Actually, if it wasn't for the census, I would never have known that my family originally came from Canada, my great-great-great grandfather was an engineer in a logging camp and his sons were loggers, too, and that my great grandfather was a twin whose brother died when he was 14.

As I heard on the radio last week regarding the paucity of qustions, "genealogists of the future will weep."

John Smith = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF_o5KQkbrI