Research: 10 reasons to answer the census

An unobtrusive envelope from the federal government arrived quietly in our mailbox last week, on a particularly busy day. “No way,” I told it as I tossed it on a pile. “I don’t have time for you today.”

Actually, I did. Feeling like a kid avoiding mom’s bidding (government in loco parentis), I opened it. Surprise: No long form or cumbersome explanations. Just a simple letter directing me to a website.

Welcome to 2020, U.S. Census Bureau.

With a resigned sigh I logged in. This will take you 10 minutes, the screen promised — a lie. It took five minutes.

Names, birthdates, ethnicities (stay tuned on that) of everyone living with me on or by April 1. Ba da bing. Done.

“That’s it?” I asked the computer. That’s it. With so little, what’s it all for? Why bother?

Here are 10 reasons, culled from the Census Bureau, White House, and state source documents:

1. We need distractions. The Census preexisted, will survive, and isn’t happening because of, this #@!*% virus.

2. The Constitution says so. Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution states in part, “[An] enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by law direct.”

3. Money for Idahoans. You know all those programs and public money coffers Congress and federal laws create and fund with our taxes? From highway repairs and public bus service grants to school lunches and FEMA funds for firefighters, the census determines how much we’re allocated for the next decade. In our area with such rapid growth, 2010’s numbers are way out of date. So if you don’t answer the Census, that’s less money and resources available here, which will be on you.

4. Employment and private enterprise. Put simply, the Census indirectly stimulates the economy. Vocational, adult education, and job assistance programs rely on Census data for funding allocations. Accurate census data helps businesses of all kinds forecast supply and demand, as well as develop and market products. Architects, contractors, and real estate firms need to know the size and composition of households to design, build, and sell housing. Utilities use the Census to plan facilities and networks. Those are just a few examples.

5. Kids. Census data determines how much Idaho gets to feed kids whose parents can’t afford enough. Grants for child abuse services, nonprofits, and other resources to help child victims of crime. For immunizations so uninsured kids won’t get polio or diphtheria. Education programs, including kids with special needs who need additional resources beyond the capabilities of the average classroom. Alcohol and drug abuse prevention and services. Head Start. Pell grants for college students. It’s a long list.

6. Veterans, seniors, and the disabled. Meals on wheels. PTSD counseling. Wheelchairs. Adapted computers so the blind or deaf can work. Space is insufficient to list the many programs using federal dollars which these populations rely on just to get by. Your Census response helps increase population counts in Idaho to better serve their needs.

7. Health care. One in 10 Idahoans has Medicaid, and nearly 2 in 10 are on Medicare, according to a 2019 survey of states by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Two-thirds of American seniors in nursing and assisted living facilities rely on both. The funding formulas for both include population and age counts provided by the Census.

8. Boundaries. Legislative, state and local voting district boundary determinations are made using Census data.

9. Disaster relief. Accurate census information helps local and state governments and relief agencies plan and address transportation, food, medical and emergency services, displacement, shelter and other needs for populations affected by natural disasters such as fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. And probably the fallout from this virus.

10. You’re a research buff like me. Get a kick from statistics? If you like top 10 lists, social science stats, studies and surveys, pie charts and other nerdy stuff like that you’re a Census fan. It’s a key element in a lot of research.

No computer? No problem. Do it by phone at 844-330-2020.

Now back to the ethnicity question. It’s a two-parter, asking about race and underlying heritage — a new one for “white” category. Many Americans are too melting pot to know or pick just one underlying heritage. If you don’t know, it seems leaving part two blank works.

Yes, this category has long been controversial. Proposals both to increase its detail and scale it back have been made and rejected. On the one hand, it’s been handy to know how our population has shifted over the centuries. It makes sense for a nation to know its population makeup and characteristics. Whether on balance ethnic data hurts or helps discrimination in this nation is hotly debated; perhaps both at times.

The U.S. Census Bureau states the identifying information is confidential — not shared with anyone, including other federal agencies, and that the resulting statistics they produce for public consumption are untraceable to specific individuals or households. These statistics are used for research, targeted programs for the underprivileged, civil rights efforts, medical information, arts and scientific studies and more.

Finally, as Press BBB columnist Jason Kama warned, be wary of scams. The U.S. Census does not ask your Social Security number, bank information, passwords or other financial details. There is no money required to answer it. Look for the official return address in Jefferson, Ind. More information and FAQs about whom to count in your household is at 2020Census.gov.

Be counted. That part at least is required by the Constitution. No excuses. The more we pull together now (6 feet apart) the faster life can return to normal.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who’s answered the Census. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.