Census 2010

#1. To set up a visit from a Census Taker.

As you know, Census Takers are in the field following up with residents who didn't return their questionnaires. If the resident isn't home, the Census Taker will slip a "Notice of Visit" form under the door asking the resident to call the local Census Office to let them know the best time to get the resident at home. If the resident provides their phone number during that call, the Census Taker may call back to try to schedule an appointment.

#2. To verify the work done by the local Census Taker.

To assure the validity of the data being taken by Census Takers currently in the field, the local Census office has a Quality Assurance Department whose sole job is to call a statistically reliable sample of people who have had a Census Taker visit them to verify that they were visited and double-check some of the answers they provided.

The worker making the phone call will check approximately 3 or 4 of the answers the resident provided to verify the work done was accurate.

#3. To clarify one or more of the answers provided on the 2010 Census Questionnaire mailed in.

Through mid-August, the Census Bureau will call households who have responded to the 2010 Census if we need to clarify any answers about the number of people living at the address.

These calls are simply to clarify answers that have been given and to make sure we count everyone once, only once and in the right place. Not every household will receive a call. The Census Bureau estimates that we may need to call about 8 million households over the four-month period.

If you get a call:

• The caller will identify themselves as working for the U.S. Census Bureau and that the purpose of their call is to help the Census Bureau take the most accurate census and to ensure we have counted everyone at the right address.
  
• The caller ID will likely show “U.S. Census Bureau.” If this text is not supported (such as on a cell phone), then the inbound toll-free number should show up. The exact number depends on the language skill for which the call is made.
  
  If a household would like to confirm they have been contacted by the Census Bureau, they can call one of the numbers below and use the eight-digit case identification number they were provided to complete the interview. The interview will take approximately 10 minutes.
  
  
• 2010 Census takers will not ask you for your social security number, bank account number or credit card number.
  
• 2010 Census takers never solicit for donations and will never contact you by e-mail.
  
• 2010 Census takers will not ask about your citizenship status.
  
• The information collected over the phone, as well as provided on the census form or to a census taker in-person, is kept confidential by law, Title 13, U.S. Code - which is the same law that protects all information provided to census employees.
  
• If the interviewer calls and nobody answers the phone, he or she will leave a message requesting the household to return the call. In addition, a specific case identification number will be provided so the household can call back and complete the interview.

Should someone wish to confirm they've been called by the Census Bureau, they can call one of the following numbers:

• English: 866-851-2010
• Spanish: 866-859-2010
• Russian: 866-848-2010
• Korean: 866-874-2010
• Vietnamese: 866-863-2010
• Chinese: 866-881-2010
• TDD: 866-784-2010

Do I Have to Talk to the Census Taker?

Yes.  Your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law, (Section 221, of Title 13 of the U.S. Code).  However, rather than rely on criminal charges, the Census Bureau is very successful in getting participation by explaining the importance of the questions they ask and how the information benefits our communities. To find out what you should do if a census taker visits you, click here.  Your privacy and confidentiality is a priority.  The census taker who collects your information is sworn for life to protect your data under Federal Law Title 13.  Those who violate the oath face criminal penalties: Under federal law, the penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.

Help for non-English speaking respondents

Census takers will have a flashcard containing a sentence about the 2010 Census written in approximately 50 languages. If a resident doesn't speak English, the census taker shows the flashcard to the resident, and the resident points to the language he/she speaks. A census crew Leader will then reassign the case to a person who speaks that language.

Open Your Door to the Census Taker

To view information on Opening Your Door for the Census Taker in English or Spanish click on the language you would like to view.

Click here to go to the 2010 Census website.

Click here to find out how to contact the 2010 Census Regional Office and other contacts for the Census Bureau.

For the current U.S. Census Bureau's Fact Sheet for Hoffman Estates click here.

For more information regarding the 2010 United States Census, visit: www.census.gov.