National Census Underway

(By: | Composed: 09/16/09 | Modified: 09/16/09)

                                               

Starting May 1, Census Takers will begin going door-to-door to households that did not mail back their census forms. Please cooperate with census workers and answer the 10 census questions, but remember they do not need to come into your house and they do NOT need your social security number or any of your banking information. If you have any questions or concerns when a census worker arrives at your door, call City Hall at 949-639-0500.

What is a Census Taker?

A Census Taker is a person from the community who is hired by the Census Bureau to make sure that the City of Laguna Woods gets represented as accurately as possible.  The Census Taker's primary responsibility is to collect Census information from residences that have not yet returned their 2010 Census questionnaire.

The Census Bureau provides the Census Taker with a binder containing all of the addresses that did not't send back a filled out Census questionnaire.  The Census Taker then visits all of those addresses and records the answers to the questions on the form.  If no one answers at a particular residence, a Census Taker will visit that home up to six times, leaving a door hanger with a phone number.  Residents can call the number on the hanger to schedule a visit.

By being counted, you are standing up for what your community's needs are.  That's why Census Takers are so important.

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).  The Census Bureau is very successful in getting participation by those who have not returned a questionnaire by explaining the importance of the questions asked and how the information benefits the City of Laguna Woods.

Are my answers confidential?

Your privacy and confidentiality is top priority.  The Census Taker will ONLY ask the questions that appear on the Census form.  The Census Taker who collects your information is sworn for life to protect your data under Federal Law Title 13.  Census Takers 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 five years, or both.