Census 2000 - How Questionnaires Will Be Delivered

The Census Bureau will employ a number of methods to enumerate the population during Census 2000. A brief description of these methods follows:

• Mailout/Mailback -- For most of the population, the "mail-out/mail-back" procedure will be used. The majority of households with city-style addresses (e.g., 117 W. 4th St.) will receive a questionnaire in the mail, which the occupants will then be asked to complete and return by mail.
• Update/Leave -- In parts of the nation where there is a significant amount of noncity-style addresses (e.g., P.O. boxes or rural routes) the "update/leave" method will be used. Prior to census day the Census Bureau conducts various field operations to construct a list of these rural housing units, pinpointing their locations. Then, at the time of the census the enumerator will update this address list and leave a questionnaire with the household to be mailed back after it is completed.
• List/Enumerate -- Finally, in the most rural and sparsely populated areas of the nation the Census Bureau will employ the "list/enumerate" method. In this case, the enumerator will develop an address list at the time of enumeration and actually complete the questionnaire on the premises.
• Other Methods -- In addition to the basic strategies listed above, the Census Bureau has developed a number of other tactics in an effort to ensure as complete a count as possible. These alternate approaches include a variation of the "update/leave" procedure called "update/enumerate", which will be used on American Indian reservations. Here, the enumerator will update a pre-existing address list at the time of the census. But instead of leaving the questionnaire, the census taker will complete the enumeration on site.

Special enumeration procedures are necessary for certain segments of the population. This includes persons living in group quarters (e.g., college dorms, prisons and nursing homes); those with mobile life styles, such as persons residing in RV parks, campgrounds and carnivals; people living on military installations; and those without housing. The Census Bureau started well before April to update their lists of these special places, locate new ones, identify contact persons and identify administrative records that could be used for enumeration.

In the case of group quarters, enumerators will deliver the questionnaires, list all residents, and provide assistance with questionnaire completion. Jails and prisons will self-enumerate, with prison personnel sworn-in as temporary census workers.

• Transient night, which will take place on March 31, is the operation aimed at counting persons with mobile life-styles. Enumerators will complete questionnaires at locations such as RV parks, allowing respondents the opportunity to report a usual place of residence.

The Census Bureau will work with the Department of Defense to count military personnel, employing various enumeration procedures. For example, questionnaires may be mailed to base housing units; alternatively on-site interviews at military workstations may be conducted.

• Service-Based Enumeration (SBE) applies to those individuals without housing. In advance of the census, local governments help identify service centers like soup kitchens and shelters. Then at the time of the census an enumerator will complete a simplified questionnaire for individuals at the service location. While not intended to be a comprehensive count of the homeless, SBE is an effort to reach people with no usual place of residence who sometimes receive help from service centers.

The Census Bureau will also provide telephone questionnaire assistance for people who need help in filling out the questionnaire or who must request a new form. Assistance will also be available via the Census Bureau's Internet site.

New with Census 2000, individuals who believe they did not receive a questionnaire or were not included in their household's response will have the option to pick-up "Be Counted" questionnaires. These abbreviated forms will be available in public locations like Walk-In Questionnaire Assistance Centers and neighborhood community centers. These easy-to-use forms will be printed in several different languages.

Bureau of Business & Economic Research, UNM / bber@unm.edu
Last Revised: 4/17/00