The US Census

We learned today about non-responsive survey, and since the US census is a HUGE nationwide survey, I was wondering what its rate of return was. I also was curious about the US census and how we have a national survey that the government takes and then proceeds to make generalizations about our country with the results.

Here is what I have learned: To understand the census and how/why it came about, one must first know the history. The first census was in 1790. It was used to plan for growth in America. It started by collecting data on the manufacturing, quantity and value of products, taxation, churches, pauperism and crime. These primative surveys were taken by US marshalls on horseback. Then it evolved with the invention of the very first tabulating devices that were invented by the us census bureau which were punch card machines.

Now, every ten years the US census does the national census, but every year they also conduct more than 100 surveys. They study income, poverty levels, number of household members, geneology, immigrants, minorities, economy, and population density. It is also used to adjust the US House of Represenatives seats in congress based on population.

It was taken door-to-door until 1960, but now it is taken by mail. In 1990, the Census Bureau tried to take about 94 percent of the census by mail and one in three households failed to return the forms.

In 2000, the response rates were better due to an awareness campaign (yet another ad campaign to study in the future.) Here is the break down on the state by state response rate for 2000. I though the response rate was pretty high. I wonder how high it will get in the future years, or if the government will ever make it madatory to take the census to get your tax returns back or something along those lines.

So, bottom line, we should be glad we do not have to take surveys by horse back like they did in the old days - that would be hard.

The Asian Stereotype survey is interesting. According to the census, the asian-american population has increased over the past ten years. I wonder if the stereotypes have hightened also.

Smiling is my favorite is doing thier survey in a different manner. They are placing their surveys on the tables and hopefully people will take them. I wonder if this is going to be as effective as door-to-door, or by mail as the US census conducts their survey.

Posted by: Julie Motheral
Quality Blog #3