Sometime next month, every U.S. household will find a census form in its mailbox. Its arrival shouldn't be a surprise. Federal law requires such an accounting every 10 years. Besides, the U.S. Census Bureau is in the midst of an aggressive media campaign to remind the nation's residents that the time to be counted is nigh.
Residents should heed that reminder -- and participate willingly in the decennial undertaking. Participation costs nothing and is, by law, confidential. Moreover, it provides information vital to the operation of government at the federal, state and local level. This year, in fact, it will be easier than ever to take part in the Census. The form contains only 10 short questions. Completing and returning it in the envelope provided should take only a few minutes.
The investment of those few minutes can provide a significant return. Obtaining an accurate count of the numbers of people who reside in the United States and pinpointing where they are located aids the federal government in two ways. It helps federal officials more equitably disburse more than $400 billion in federal funds every year. The numbers also are used to draw new congressional and state legislative district lines.
Range of services
Population and location data is used by the government to dispense funds for schools, public transportation infrastructure, elderly programs emergency food and shelter and a host of other programs. The same figures are used by local and state governments to develop land-use policies and to plan for a broad of array of public services that range from medical facilities to fire and police protection. An undercount in the Census, then, can result in a state not receiving its fair share of federal dollars. The amount of money involved is larger than many might suspect. One expert puts the sum at about $900 per year for each person counted.
Reapportionment of legislative districts has a similarly direct impact. It is likely, for instance, that some states will gain seats in Congress while others lose them following the 2010 headcount. Georgia, Texas and a couple of other states are widely expected to pick up a seat or more. New York and other Northeastern and Midwestern states, on the other hand, are expected to lose one or more. Given the political ramifications of the possible legislative changes, an accurate population count is essential to assure fairness and compliance with federal mandates.
For the most part Americans readily participate in the Census. In 2000, the national mail participation rate in the Census was 72 percent. It was 69 percent in Tennessee, 71 percent Hamilton County, and 69 percent in Bradley County. Georgia's statewide rate also was 69 percent, but compliance in Whitfield County was 66 percent, and 64 percent in Catoosa County.
Failure to return the mail forms creates an unnecessary drain on taxpayers, because it is quite costly to count those who don't return the forms. The government must hire Census workers to go door-to-door to obtain the Census information required by the Constitution. Higher participation rates would reduce the number of those workers saves the government -- and taxpayers -- a considerable sum.
$90 million a point
That's the rationale for the extensive public relations campaign designed to boost participation. The savings could be significant. Census officials estimate the savings at about $90 million for each point of increase in the mail participation rate.
Historically, neither the Census nor an individual's participation in it has produced controversy. That's beginning to change. There's been growing public debate about counting individuals who are in the country illegally. Currently, the Census follows its charter to count everyone who resides in the United States. It does not inquire about their citizenship. That's a sensible rule. It should remain unchanged, and the Census free of political taint.
That's not to say the immigration question should be ignored. Indeed, it must be addressed -- but in a manner that does not directly involve the Census.
Legislative issue
The immigration issue is properly a legislative one that is best addressed by Congress. So far, that body has been unable or unwilling to tackle the issue-head-on. It must resolve to do so. Comprehensive reform is the only way to create an equitable national policy on immigration.
That reform should include a direct path to legal status and prospective citizenship for law-abiding residents of the country. It should include, as well, a reasonable guest-worker program, an effective employer-based certification program that prevents exploitation of undocumented workers, and improved border enforcement.
In the interim, Census forms will be arriving at homes across the United States soon. There's no reason not to respond truthfully and promptly. You'll be doing yourself and your neighbors a favor. The money and services we all will get over the next 10 years depends directly on the information gathered in the 2010 Census.