From a personal security and safety standpoing, this is of great concern to many elderly and single women. First of all, how does one really ascertain if the id being presented is legitimate? Are these temporary census properly background checked? I don't know of any single woman who would admit living alone, not to mention a single elderly person. Thanks to the world that we live in, I wonder how accurate these "visits" are.

@AngelaChanning: To address your first concern, don't open the door; just talk to the lister through it, if possible.

To address your second concern, it sounds like the listers aren't supposed to ask how many people live there, just how many households are in the building (and maybe how mail to each household is addressed — I don't mean the name of a person but, say, the apartment number). If you tell him or her that there's only one household (i.e., yours), he or she can't deduce that you live alone.

I was thinking about applying to do this as some side work myself, but I couldn't find any specific figures on how much the hourly wage is. I wouldn't want to get doors slammed in my face for minimum wage. Does anyone have an idea how much the Census Bureau is paying?

They don't want to know the number of people - just the type of dwelling. Multi-family, split up into apartments, etc. They couldn't care less if you live alone for this operation. They just want to make sure that your basement shouldn't be counted as a separate residence.

So for example, they walk up to the building. They want to know if the address is 123 Main or if it's split up into 123 Main, Unit A-F. They're verifying addresses for the mail-out census next year. An enumerator will only come to your door for non-response follow-up. If you don't mail the questionnaire back, they'll come knocking.

There are regional census centers that will have the ability to verify the identity of anyone that comes knocking. Census.gov should be able to point you to the RCC info.

Yes, all temp Census workers are background checked, just like any other Fed temp employee.

Please DO NOT spread FUD about the Census. People need the right information.

These "visits" are what is used to update the USPS's master address file (MAF). It makes sure that all the mail in this country is addressable.

Thanks to the world YOU live in, you're trying to call bunk on it without even RTFA or educating yourself about the Census at all.

How do I know all this stuff? I worked in the Census' field division for much of my early career.

Someone then is obviously sending out bogus Census forms in the mail posing as the real govt. agency.

I received two of them about two weeks apart right after the first of the year. They seemed odd since they are still preparing for the census and the paper used for the envelopes seemed rather cheap for govt. issued things. I set both aside in my mail pile now I am glad I did.

get ready to start reading posts about robberies from fake government census workers, in 3...2...1...

I can see one possible hitch: Residential units that are illegally subdivided. If I recall the last Census correctly, each household (this includes unrelated roommates sharing a residence and its expenses) is supposed to fill out one questionnaire. What happens with, for example, a one-family house that's been illegally converted into two units?

@bohemian: Can you scan either of them to an image file and upload it so we can see?

@undefined: @AngelaChanning: There shouldn't be great concern. Census workers are screened on a state-by-state and national basis. They carry ID. Single women and the elderly overstate the threat to their security by the rare person knocking on their door. If you are chosen for an in-depth interview, you will be given clear notice by mail.

The Census guy just stopped by my house. He was entering data on a Nintendo DS. Should I be alarmed?

@Hyman Decent: I don't really see the point, and I don't agree with their need to "verify the living quarters inside the structure." If there are two or three or ten families living in a house, that's not really any of census' business. They can ask me how many families are living in my house, then they can send the paperwork for that many families.

I am not giving some person a tour of my house unless they put down earnest money to buy it.

@Hyman Decent: That's exactly the purpose of the Address Canvasing Operation. We're trying to find out that the unit exists, so that next year they will be sent a form. (Full Disclosure: I am one of the aforementioned Enumerators, and just finished my training last Friday.)

The person knocking on your door is trying to identify each 'Living Quarters.' A living quarters is a place where someone can live independently--that is, has basic facilities (bathroom, kitchen) and has 'direct access'(that is, you can get into your quarters without walking through someone else's, either through an exterior door, or an area common to multiple units).

No data that is collected by the census employee will EVER be forwarded any other agency. Not even the IRS, or other federal agencies. If you have a less-than-legal housing situation, the census employee wants to know so that the people who do live there can be counted, but the employee won't then call up the building inspector. If I visit an multi-unit address, I will attempt to interview the building manager/owner, or if not available, a knowledgeable resident to find out how many units there are, and how they are designated (A, 2A, 104, etc.). I then record that information in my HHC (Hand-Held Computer), take some GPS readings, and go on my merry way. If I get the idea that someone is lying to me about the number of units, for example, I treat his data as accurate, and then report to my Crew Leader, and it gets followed up on by someone else (I don't know the specifics). But if you tell me what I need to know, then nothing will ever come of it.

The Census Worker will have a copy of Form D-31 "Your Answers Are Confidential" that will be given to have respondent. It basically says the following, and then directs you to the census privacy website for more information: [www.census.gov]

The data collected is used in aggregate, but your specific information is private for 72 years, after which it will be released to the National Archives. And I have taken an oath that I will only disclose any Personally Identifiable Information that I do learn to someone that has taken the same oath (i.e. aother Census Employee) an who has a legitimate need to know the information. Breaking that oath can lead to fines of up to $250k, or 5 years imprisonment.

So long story short, your best bet is just to tell the census worker the truth--after all, compliance is required by Federal Law, and your data will remain confidential.

My college-age son is working as an enumerator. I'm a little worried for HIS safety!

@bohemian: Are you sure it wasn't the American Community Survey that the Census Bureau does? This is an ongoing survey - not the ten year census. It's supposed to help the government determine where certain programs and tax monies should go (such as low income neighborhoods, etc). I got one (actually, two like you) and have chosen not to do it because the questions are intrusive and, in my opinion, none of their business. It claims that it is against the law NOT to fill it out. I'm taking my chances.

@humphrmi: The "verification" is making sure when I leave, my computer accurately reflects whatever you tell me is the truth. I don't need to see the quarters, just have someone tell me that they do(or don't) exist.

The only reason a census worker would need to go into a building would be if it is a multi-unit building (i.e. apartment building) and then they would only ever need to go into the common areas. By definition, a "Living Quarters" has "Direct Access", which means that I can get to a door to that quarters by traveling only outside, or in common areas. If the apartment in your house doesn't have its own access, then it's not really a living quarters, but another part of your house, and I don't need to record it. If it has a door to the outside, then I will need to go to that door and take a GPS reading, but NO census employee EVER needs to enter a private residence, and if someone shows up on your doorstep claiming otherwise, call the police.

@jessi5000: my boyfriend's friend just got hired to do this. I don't remember what they said it was off the top of my head, but I remember it was pretty decent. They also pay for room and board wherever they're training you at, and give you a daily living stipend as well as money for food and stuff like that while in training. I'll check with my boyfriend for the total she's getting paid and report back after my lunch.

Good call on an article subject guys, this is useful info

@bohemian: No, they do mailings and phone contacts as well. Here's a piece that has a pointer for you to go if you want to verify:

[www.census.gov]

I had a friend who worked doing this when we were in college, last time there was a census. It's a bit of a surprise to remember that it has in fact been almost a decade since we were at school!

I can't tell if you're serious or not, but no, the computer is not a DS. It looks like this: [img.photobucket.com]

(I'm one of the Enumerators/Listers that are mentioned in the article.) I'm not allowed to show anyone the data on the screen, but I see no reason why I can't show the device. The yellow/gold thing at the bottom is a fingerprint reader, which has to be scanned every time the device is turned on. (It also has auto-shutoff if not used for several minutes.)

@jessi5000: I'm also one of the Employees mentioned. I haven't received my first paycheck yet, so I'm not positive, but I remember being told that it's about $13 or $14/hr. Plus mileage, at the IRS rate of $0.55/mi. Plus, your duty station is your house, so you are on the time clock and are also getting paid mileage as soon as you leave your driveway. This goes for training, too, if your supervisor can get overtime authorized. (In my case, he could only authorize one hour per day during training, so between travel and homework, I would up 'working' 9.5-10 hours a day for 4 days, but only getting paid for 9. Had I lived less than an hour's drive from the training location, it wouldn't have been a problem.)

Any unavoidable expenses are also reimbursed. (Tolls, parking, if no free parking was available, etc.

@Randa the Panda: I actually found out how to see this on the website. You need to click on the location closest to you, as the pay ranges depending on your area. Thanks for giving me the motivation to look more :-D

@ChuckECheese:

It's great that they screen them in theory, but the government has already tried to get around the screening process, so it remains to be seen just how safe it will be.

I don't know the current status of the following, but it doesn't engender confidence that they tried it to begin with.

Concern raised over Census bid to ease security checks on temp workers
[www.govexec.com]

@jessi5000: Good to know. I asked my boyfriend but he couldn't remember what she was getting paid to do the job. Good to know you found out though! Good luck!

@Hyman Decent: That's right. In fact, if your address is posted (on your house, not just on your mailbox) and it's obvious how many units are at your address, the census employee doesn't even need to talk to you. The general procedure is to knock, and then start entering data. If I have or can determine everything I need (which is simply street address and type of living quarters for each unit), then I will just enter the data, take a GPS reading at the door, and then leave. If I can't determine what I need, but no one answers, then I'll guess as best as I can. If something's really strange, I'll submit a form to my supervisor and get help. (I just finished training, so I don't know what comes after that, but I'll work with my supervisor to figure out whatever information I need to know.)

If you answer, I'll introduce myself, show you my name tag, hand you a confidentiality form, and then ask you if there are any other units in the building or on the property. Once I have the information I need, I'll thank you, tell you that I'll be here for a few more minutes, and you can go back inside. I'll take GPS readings at the door of each unit, and then I'll move on to your neighbor.

(If it wasn't already obvious, I'm one of the Census Employees the article is about.)

@marsneedsrabbits: I don't know for sure about the back-ground checks, but I know I filled out paperwork authorizing one, and my fingerprints were taken as part of training last week.

Note: this only applies to blue states.

@humphrmi: No Census worker is going to ask to come inside your house. And it's important for the government to know exactly how many people are living in each unit to eventually determine the population of your city and state, which determines things like stimulus money, for example.

@ChuckECheese: Opening your door to unexpected strangers isn't always a wise thing. We were inundated by these pains in the ass last spring.

[www.houstonpress.com]

@jessi5000: It depends on the city and state. In Los Angeles, it's $17/hr + mileage.

@jessi5000: I started the process thinking this would be some extra part time cash. Just getting through the first layer of signing up, tests and screening it became far too much of a pain in the ass for a temp part time job so I pulled out. I think they were paying $10 where I am at.

@floraposte: Thanks. I will dig them out of my office tomorrow and see if they are actually these or not. If they appear to be bogus I will scan upload and send something in to the editors.

If they are not legit that would be a big bunch of personal information your giving out.

@floraposte: I was looking at the how to tell if a survey was legit from the link you provided. I found this that is a bit disturbing.

"When you are in a Census Bureau household survey, you may receive a letter from the Census Bureau Director, notifying you that, in a few days, your household will receive

1. a questionnaire in the mail, or
2. a phone call from the Census Bureau, or
3. a visit from a Census Bureau representative

This letter will also tell you whether your participation is mandatory or voluntary, and that your responses are confidential and protected by law."

How can the census make responding to an intrusive survey mandatory? That is really creepy. What happens if you refuse to fill it out?

@Hyman Decent: The answers you give are confidential and will not be given to any other government or enforcement agency. The Census only cares that each "household" gets the Census form next year.

Yes, I am one of those address canvasers. I was trained last week and will start working full time next week.

Wait, what? They want to poke around inside my house to "verify the living quarters"? Anyone violating local zoning'll just ignore them, and plenty of folks who aren't are going to do so on principle as well...

I spent a couple days building the data cards for the Census PDAs recently. Damn we made a lot of them.

@Elvisisdead: I am not exactly sure if your post is aimed at my questions but my post was based on multiple conversations with relatives, neighbors, co-workers and many single girlfriends. My point was this perception and fear exists about Census interviews. There is also a fear of people impersonating all types of public workers including Census Workers. I read the article and saw the image of the id badge but frankly, I would not be able to remember it if one was shown to me by a Census taker.

I am not exactly sure what FUD is, but one hears stories about TSA agents getting caught stealing out of suitcases and the public becomes skeptical about federal agencies doing effective background checks. Mind you, I am intelligent to know that the Census is managed differently than the TSA but the point is, the perception exists among many in the public. Accordingly, if one does not trust the government's ability to properly background check, they will not be motivated to call a number to verify an employee's identity or not.

I am sorry that if you think I was trying to call bunk on something that you know so much about. However, you don't need to sit in on a focus group to discover there is a great amount of mistrust of the Census and Census interviewers for a number of reasons. My last question was about the effectiveness of such interviews given that we live in a world of scammers, petty thieves and con-artists. Please don't try to suggest that is the kind of world we live in because I asked a few questions. Perhaps the Census should look at these issues in their consumer education programs.

@Elvisisdead: The census was what was used to put Japanese Americans in camps during WWII, yes, it was a long time ago, no I don't think it couldn't happen again. If all they need to know is how many people and income level why do they ask nationality or race, why do they want to poke around inside peoples homes?

Coming from a government that runs the TSA, Gitmo, and renditions (and yes, President Obama is working on closing Gitmo, but not the rest) do you really think that they are a giant benevolent grandparent?

As for background checks, when they set up the TSA they skimped on background checks in order to get enough bodies and then 6 months to a year later started to discover they had hired people who had NO BUSINESS working there, ie people working under assumed names because they were WANTED CRIMINALS.

I'll fill out parts of the survey, but those bits that ask for religion, race, nationality? Nope. Sorry. Nunya.

so they decide how much money we get.

so the correct answer is 2248 people?

@Elvisisdead: You ever get the feeling that the FUD spread about census-takers is motivated by people hoping for an inaccurate count? Especially in those neighborhoods that are typically under-surveyed?

@Desk_hack: I'm fine with that, but the wording indicates that they want to come inside... "verify the living quarters inside the structure."

@FixinTo: If the annoying US PIRG guys aren't dead, I think your son will be ok.

(but then again, i'm a mom too and I worry all the time)

@jessi5000: Last I checked it was like 10.50ish in Indiana. A friend of mine is doing it again.

to figure out how big a slice of the federal government's annual $300 billion pork pie your community deserves. . . . .

You forgot how big a slice of Congress your state deserves, and your slice of the electoral college in the next 3 Presidential Elections.

Also, how big a slice your particular demographics may influence any number of programs. . . . . Unless you're gay Married. They have absolutely no interest in that. (sticks fingers in ears and says 'LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA')

@jessi5000: it's $17.75 in texas

@bohemian: i think the census did a trial run about since months ago, and also in 2008. and this is word from a census employee.

@humphrmi: unless your "illegal split" has a separate entrance (like a basement apartment), it's considered one living quarters. no one is coming inside your house. calm down.

I was an enumarator in the 2000 census. I don't know about the lister process but I can say if you do not want a visit from an enumarator return your form by mail. If you do not return it you will get a visit. On a brighter note we were trained not to be ugly about it it is ok to only give the info you are ok with you will not get in trouble but you just might have to deal with someone else asking for the same info.

If I am home, I won't be answering the door unless they have free pizza!