When will the census take place and how long will it last?
The census will begin around May 15th, 2008 and continue through to the end of July (approximately six weeks).
Why is the city conducting the special census?
Since the national census in 2000, many things have changed in O’Fallon, Illinois. Our population has grown with new people moving into our community. It is vital that we document these changes with certified census counts so that we get our fair share of state and federal funds.
How will a Special Census benefit me?
Census data are used to distribute millions of federal dollars throughout the nation to provide important services at the local level. Healthcare, schools and education, day care programs, transportation planning, and services for seniors all use census data to determine how much money each community receives to provide these important services. Also, census data are used by businesses to locate potential markets, open new stores, market products, and create new jobs.
Additionally, census data are used here in O’Fallon to plan for our future. By using current census data, we can create public improvement strategies that minimize traffic congestion, meet the growing needs of seniors, project where and when new schools are needed, and make decisions affecting everyone in our community based on current and accurate information.
How will the census information be collected?
Special census enumerators will contact residents at their homes and conduct an interview. When the census enumerator knocks on your door, please cooperate. The interview consists of 5 questions for each person living in your home and the interview should take around 7 minutes.
Can I work as an enumerator?
Yes! For O’Fallon’s special census, the Census Bureau pays enumerators $12.50 per hour, plus mileage and paid training. Using Census provided maps and forms enumerators will locate households, conduct face-to-face interviews and record information about the residents. Visit www.ofallon.org/humanresources for a job description and to download an application.
What are the requirements for the job?
Qualifications:
-- 18 years of age. ~Sixteen and 17 year-olds may be hired in certain circumstances and if driving is not a requirement
-- You must possess a social security number
-- Enumerators and crew leaders must have a valid drivers license and a vehicle available for their use
-- Ability to hear responses and read questionnaires
-- Ability to walk and climb stairs
-- A private, corded home telephone
-- US Citizenship is preferred but non-citizens may be considered.
How many hours a week will I be working?
Work will start during the month of May. ~Those hired must also attend a 3 consecutive day training program. ~After training, employees will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, including evenings and weekends.
How will know the person at my door is an official special census worker?
Every special census worker will display a special Census Bureau badge. The image at the left identifies what the badge should look like. To verify an individual's employment status, contact the Special Census office.
What kind of questions will be asked and how long will the interview take?
The interview consists of 5 questions for each person living in your home and the interview should take around 7 minutes. The questions include name(s) of those in the household; relationship of residents, race and Hispanic origin, gender, age, and whether you own or rent your property. Click here to read information on why each question is asked.
What happens if I am not home when the enumerator comes to my house?
Enumerators will visit residences in pre-defined areas of O’Fallon to collect this information about every household member. Every attempt will be made to contact your household directly. However, if an enumerator is unable to reach anyone at your house over a period of time because no one is home or the occupants refuse to be interviewed, a proxy interview will be conducted (a proxy is a neighbor or other knowledgeable source who does not live at the house being enumerated).
Is my information confidential? What steps are taken to ensure this confidentiality?
Federal law (Title 13, United States Code) mandates that no one outside the Census Bureau can ever be given any information that would enable them to connect your answers with your name and address. It also says that before anyone inside the Census Bureau sees your completed questionnaire, they must first be sworn to secrecy. If this oath is violated, it leads to a sizable fine of up to $250,000 and a prison term of up to 5 years.
How strict is the Census Bureau about adhering to this law? Not even the President of the United States is permitted to look at individual census records. Protecting the privacy of census respondents remains a critical part of every Census Bureau employee’s training. No one outside of the Census Bureau is allowed to see your answers. This means City of O’Fallon, courts of law, credit companies, solicitors, the police and military, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, immigration and welfare agencies – nobody! Click here to download a flyer about the special steps that are taken to ensure your confidentiality.
Who tallies the results the enumerators bring in?
After the Special Census office has completed the field work, quality assurance checks, and processed all of the questionnaires, the Special Census Supervisor will ship all completed questionnaires to the Census Bureau’s National Processing Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana. One the questionnaires have been scanned, the paper forms are shredded. Your answers are combined with others to produce the statistical summaries that are published. No one can ever connect your answers with your name or address.
When can I expect to see the results?
The questionnaires will be tabulated at the National Processing center and then the statistical results are processed and analyzed by the Census Bureau. We should receive a preliminary count by the end of September and the official number should arrive at the State level around the end of December. The State takes approximately 30 days to process the data, so the count should be official by the end of February. Watch for the press release!
What can I do as a resident to make the process smoother?
When a Special Census enumerator knocks on your door, please answer and cooperate by responding to the questions they have for you.
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