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Web site tracks local Census participation rates
- Thread starter FR7 Baptist
- Start date
FR7 Baptist
Active Member
I've got good news. I got hired to be an Enumerator for the United States Census Bureau. I'm going to be doing it full time during the summer for 3 months. I have four days of paid training April 27-30. The only thing is the week after that is final exams, but I gave them my exam schedule and they said they would schedule me around the exams, but I'll still have to put in a full 40 hours and I'll end up missing my classes during the training, but I think I'll be able to work it out with my professors. So, those two weeks of overlap will be interesting, to say the least.
The best part is I'm getting paid almost twice as much as I would in the private sector, plus mileage reimbursement for using my car for official Federal business at the rate of 50 cents per mile. What I'll be doing is going visiting people who don't fill out their census forms and getting their information. So, if you don't want to be visited by an Enumerator, be sure to mail your completed census forms by April 1.
The best part is I'm getting paid almost twice as much as I would in the private sector, plus mileage reimbursement for using my car for official Federal business at the rate of 50 cents per mile. What I'll be doing is going visiting people who don't fill out their census forms and getting their information. So, if you don't want to be visited by an Enumerator, be sure to mail your completed census forms by April 1.
Well Paul...nothing personal, but if you or any other "Enumerator" (is that DC lingo for "spy?
) come to my place...you'll be treated politely; I might even offer a bottled water. But the answers you will get are the ones I've already given. And I'll probably record the conversation. Like I said...I'll be pleasant, but you'll get what you have the constitutional right to have: A count. You will find out who lives here...how many adults, and how many kids.
THere were a couple of other census questions I chose to answer...you can ask them again...and I'll answer them, again.
But...you will not receive an answer as to our race. Sorry...but it's none of the government's business...not to mention since they use that info to buy votes, I'll pass.
One of the reasons I'll record the encounter has to do with the last census: A dear friend of mine refused to answer the race question. The census worker that visited them became irate when he wouldn't answer it. She finally told him something along the lines of, "Well, you look, sound, and act white to me, so that's what I'm putting."
Besides being illegal and unethical...can you imagine had that encounter involved any other race? My friend would have had to hire census workers just to count all his damages he'd receive!
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I'm still trying to figure out why we weren't asked if we were American citizens.
Well Paul...nothing personal, but if you or any other "Enumerator" (is that DC lingo for "spy?
You will find out who lives here...how many adults, and how many kids.
THere were a couple of other census questions I chose to answer...you can ask them again...and I'll answer them, again.
But...you will not receive an answer as to our race. Sorry...but it's none of the government's business...not to mention since they use that info to buy votes, I'll pass.
One of the reasons I'll record the encounter has to do with the last census: A dear friend of mine refused to answer the race question. The census worker that visited them became irate when he wouldn't answer it. She finally told him something along the lines of, "Well, you look, sound, and act white to me, so that's what I'm putting."
Besides being illegal and unethical...can you imagine had that encounter involved any other race? My friend would have had to hire census workers just to count all his damages he'd receive!
If you've already given answers, chances are you will not be visited, so probably don't need to get "pre" worked up over it.
Steven2006
New Member
Maybe they are assuming that they are only being mailed to citizens?
FR7 Baptist
Active Member
The Census counts all residents.
Steven2006
New Member
That makes sense.
But if the census determines how many representatives a state can have, since when do illegal aliens deserve representation?
Maybe we could go back to the olden days and count them as 3/5s of a person...
Steven2006
New Member
Maybe you should edit that last joke. Pretty offensive.
No joke intended...suggesting that they don't count seems sorta silly imho
Steven2006
New Member
OK, sarcasm not always clear in written format, I missed it.
An excellent question.
(of course, what the Census is actually for seems to be forgotten. Watch the ads...now, it's about "get counted so the government will know how much free stuff to give you.")
No worries, I didn't include a smiley...my keyboard never properly conveys my tone without them...:tongue3::saint::tonofbricks:
That may be good news for you - but I am wondering why the government is paying twice the private sector rate.
What is the point in threatening to fine $100 for not completing the census form if the government is going to send someone out to hold their hand and personally request them to fill it out?
Also - will the census takers be traveling to particular areas to make sure that certain groups of people are counted while not worrying so much about other certain groups?
My guess is "yes".
FR7 Baptist
Active Member
I'm getting $15/hr. with the Census Bureau plus mileage reimbursement. I guess that's just the going rate for Enumerators. Being a broke college student with limited experience, and in this economy, most of the jobs I've applied/interviewed for are in the $8/hr. range. I'm going to be doing this full time in the summer. This job is a huge blessing for me not just because of the money, but because it will be easier for me to get a part-time job while I'm in school because of more experience than the one job I've held in the past.
They don't really enforce the fine.
No. Enumerators will be visiting every house that doesn't return the form. I don't go through training until April 27-30, but I did a good amount of reading on the Internet about the job prior to applying. From what I've read, if you don't return the form, an Enumerator will come visit you. If you're not there or don't come to the door, he or she will leave a card with a number for you to call to set up an appointment for him or her to come back. If they have your phone number, a Census Clerk will try to contact you by phone to set up an appointment. In general, six attempts at contacting the resident will be made, three in person and three by phone.
I'm not sure what the exact procedure is for people who refuse to give the information after a visit. However, if the it can't be obtained from someone at the residence, they will send out an Enumerator to interview your neighbors to get the information.
Thanks, Paul3144
My comments were not directed towards you personally. They were more speculating out loud.
The census seems to be an expensive undertaking to begin with and I can't help but wonder if the government is doing this in a less than efficient manner.
For instance - what was the point in sending out a letter to tell me that I should watch the mail for the census form?
My comments were not directed towards you personally. They were more speculating out loud.
The census seems to be an expensive undertaking to begin with and I can't help but wonder if the government is doing this in a less than efficient manner.
For instance - what was the point in sending out a letter to tell me that I should watch the mail for the census form?
FR7 Baptist
Active Member
Studies have been done and the letter increases response rates substantially. It actually saves money because it costs an average of $57 for an Enumerator to track you down.