The Census is coming. The Census IS coming.
Beginning in about five weeks, forms for the 2010 U.S. Census will begin arriving in a mailbox near you.
For the first time, there will be just one, standardized form, instead of the long- and short-version questionnaires of decades past.
“Really, it’s quite simple,” said U.S. Census Bureau Rolla Chairman John Petersen.
“The entire questionnaire is just 10 questions, can be completed in minutes,” said Petersen, who is the city’s Community Development Director.
Petersen said questionnaires will begin arriving the second week in March.
The questionnaires will come with residents’ names, and there is a postage-paid return envelope attached. All information, he said, is protected.
“There are privacy issues that will honored. The information submitted is safeguarded. There is no way the FBI, the IRS or any other federal agency will have access to this information,” Petersen said.
The form is simple. There are 10 questions for the head of household and an additional seven questions for others who may live in the home.
Most questions expand upon the origin of descent and the relationship of other members to the head of household.
There are no inquiries to occupation or income.
“It’s a pretty straightforward form,” Petersen said. “The questions are really something people will not have to research.”
Petersen said there is an effort to make sure a residents fill out a questionnaire.
Petersen said people should understand that everyone needs to fill out a form. If, for example, a student lives here, they should fill out a form here. That includes U.S. citizens and others, too.
Petersen said persons needing assistance completing the questionnaire will be able to get assistance at Rolla City Hall, The Centre and a booth will be set up inside the Havener Center lobby.
Also, there is a U.S. Census Bureau assistance phone number printed on the questionnaire.
