>>SOUTHERN INDIANA —
With budget cuts affecting everything from school closings to roads getting fixed, filling out the census form may mean more than just being counted.
It can mean more dollars in Southern Indiana.
“There is $400 billion in federal resources that are allocated from the federal government each year,” said David Hackbarth, director of the census’ National Processing Center, located in Jeffersonville. “It’s important to be counted, because if you’re not counted, your community may lose some federal funding as a result of it.”
The census, which is conducted every 10 years, has been sent out to 120 million households. The new short form, debuting this year, should take the average household 10 minutes to answer, Hackbarth said.
He said the quicker people send those back, the more money they save themselves.
“We estimate that 62 percent of households will answer the survey [during this first round],” he said. “For every 1 percentage point higher, that saves the federal government and taxpayers $85 million in processing costs.”
That’s because if people don’t answer, a second survey will be sent out this month to specific areas. If answers are not received after that, a census representative will go door-to-door to collect the information needed.
“It’s a monumental task,” Hackbarth said of counting 120 million households, adding that this is mandated by the constitution. “We’re trying to get through this quickly.”
Everything that is turned in for the 10-state Midwest region will be counted at the only permanent census processing center, which is in Jeffersonville. There are two other sites set up to help during this count — one in Phoenix and the other in Baltimore.
Hackbarth said surveys are already rolling in and are being counted as they arrive. He said the final count is due to President Barack Obama on Dec. 31, which is when the results will be released to the public.
However, what won’t be released to anyone is who said what.
“It is absolutely critical that people understand that their information is kept confidential,” Hackbarth said. “We do not share their data with any other federal agency. We wouldn’t even share it with the president if he asked for the information.”
Hackbarth said each census employee is sworn to protect the data.
Though the figures won’t be in for a while, Hackbarth said it is estimated that the population of the United States is 310 million people.
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WATCH THE RESPONSE
• See and compare how residents of various states and communities are returning their census surveys starting this week. Go to 2010census.gov.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A Look at the 2010 U.S. Census questionnaire
The census mailing package includes a cover letter, the 2010 Census form and a postage-paid return envelope. The 10 questions are basic and should take about 10 minutes to complete. The census asks the following questions:
1. The number of people living in the residence
2. Any additional people that might be living there as of April 1
3. Whether the residence is owned or rented
4. Telephone number — in case the Census Bureau has follow-up questions
5. Name
6. Sex
7. Age and date of birth
8. Whether of Hispanic origin
9. Race
10. Whether that person sometimes lives somewhere else
— U.S. Census
Clark County
Census 2010: Stand up and be counted
Census director says the quicker people fill out the survey, the more money they save taxpayers
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Jeffersonville’s emergency coordinator departs city
She applied for the job in December, a few weeks after Mayor Mike Moore was elected. She decided to do so after initially hearing that Moore would be eliminating her position. He ended up keeping Christian, but Louisville came calling anyway.
Continued ... - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 13, 2012
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CAPITOL CROSSROADS: Candidates struggle with Indiana ballot hurdles
Gov. Kathy Davis had her signature invalidated because she listed her address at “9th” street but Marion County’s rolls had her at “09th” street.
Continued ... -
Underwood man found dead in woods
The search resumed later in the day Friday and his body was discovered about 6 p.m. in a wooded area less than half a mile from his family’s 70-acre farm, said Maj. Chuck Adams of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Continued ... -
Military vehicles leave Clarksville police station
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Jeffersonville law department still being negotiated
The combined salaries of the two attorneys and a paralegal add up to $221,900, which Harmon called a savings compared to the $239,373 the city has paid in legal bills on average during the last two years.
Continued ... - Feb 11, 2012
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Most area graduation rates above state average
According to a release from IDOE, Indiana’s state graduation rate came in at 85.7 percent. About 45 percent of high schools met or exceeded the 90 percent mark and 83 percent graduated 80 percent of their seniors or more.
Continued ... -
YOU GOTTA MOVE: Parkwood participates in Greater Clark health push
- Feb 10, 2012
- NEWS AND TRIBUNE BRIEFS — Feb. 11-12
- Meth lab numbers increase sharply in 2011
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Jeffersonville’s emergency coordinator departs city
