Do you own a radio set? Do you live on a farm? Can you read or write?
What is this, the 1930 census? Why, yes. The intimate details of that old-time endeavor have been kept confidential until its recent release to the public. By law, the personal data acquired from each census must remain under wraps for 72 years, practically a lifetime. Keep that in mind if a twinge of apprehension crosses your mind when you fish out a 2010 census form from your mailbox within the next few weeks. The form contains just 10 simple questions and must be filled out and returned by April 1. After that, census takers – each bearing U.S. Census identification and a satchel stuffed with paperwork – will begin knocking on those doors where residents failed to mail in the forms by the federal deadline.
The promotional buildup to this year’s census carries some pretty hefty economic reminders of what Travis County missed out on as a result of the 2000 census findings: Nearly $235.98 million in federal funding was lost due to an inaccurate population tally, which missed the mark by 15,732 people, according to a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2001.
Travis County Constable Bruce Elfant draws on the findings of the study to make sure this year’s census effort reaches every corner of the county. “We’re trying to burrow into different communities” – from student populations to immigrant households – “to make sure people fill out those forms,” said Elfant, who with County Court at Law Judge Eric Shepperd is co-chairing the Austin/Travis County campaign to get out the census message.
“We’re not coming for your guns, we’re not going to arrest people, and we’re not going to deport people,” Elfant says reassuringly. “I tell people there’s 235 million reasons to fill out the forms – that’s how much money we left on the table in the 2000 census.” Breaking it down further, the Precinct 5 constable notes the county could lose $1,500 a year for every person who goes uncounted this year.
Another important factor this time around is that Texas stands to gain four new congressional districts. “And there’s a really good chance that we [Travis County] could get our own congressional member,” Elfant said, recalling how the 2003 GOP-inspired redistricting controversy split liberal Austin in half, forcing longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to shift his residence so he could continue his service in Washington.
“Federal dollars impact so much of our lives – we want to make sure we get every dollar we’re entitled to,” Elfant continued. “If people care about funding for roads, health and human services, and public works projects, and if students care about funding for [the University of Texas], they should fill out those forms.”
This article appears in February 26 • 2010.
