Census: American Community Survey

[AlanM]

I received a long form for the 2000 census. I was single then, so I filled in "1", left the rest blank, and sent it in.

Months later, a Census enumerator knocked on my door and said she needed some more information. I told her she already had all the information I was obligated to provide. "But sir, you're required by law..."

I held up my finger and said, "One. That's all you need to know." Then I shut the door as she was sputtering, completely bewildered that someone wouldn't be eager to give up personal details. Living by myself, I didn't have much to tell. It still wasn't any of their business.

Kevin

I had pretty much the same experience in that census, myself. They kept coming back, and I told them I was a single male living alone, end of story.

[Fluff and Stuff]

Maybe they thought you were too handsome a guy and lived in too big a place to be single  

[Pat McCotter]

You're using more than your fair share of living space. You must allow this family with four children to move in with you.

[Lloyd Danforth]

As an Anarchist, I think we should do away with the census.  As a Genealogist, I find it an invaluable tool, although, for Genealogical purposes it does not heve to be as invasive as it is.
The earliest censuses named the head of the household and then simply listed the number of people of either gender between certain ages, like Females between 16 and 26, females between 27 and 40, etc. Why they needed that much info for determining represenation, I don't know.
The census got more helpful(to Genealogists) when it began listing the name, age, birthplace  and relationship of every person to the head of household.  It reached the limit of its usefullness when it asks for the birthplace of the parents of each member of the household.  Later it asks things like year of immigration and number of children the mother has had which can be usefull.
They don't release censuses for 70 years.  They released the 1930 census in 2000.  The big question that year was did the household have a radio.

[AlanM]

Maybe they thought you were too handsome a guy and lived in too big a place to be single  

[Kat Kanning]

Wow, first Lloyd and now Alan....you have a taste for mature men, I guess.

[AlanM]

Wow, first Lloyd and now Alan....you have a taste for mature men, I guess.

Is it the maturity, or the lack of hair on the top of the head?

[KBCraig]

You're using more than your fair share of living space. You must allow this family with four children to move in with you.

And then pay them rent to make up for owning "their" house. 

[intergraph19]

Do I have to respond to the American Community Survey / Puerto Rico Community Survey?

Not if it gets "lost" in the mail I don't.  >

[Thespis]

I know you can find it on the index page that Kat linked on the other page, but here's a direct link to the new form:

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/SQuest05.pdf

I read through it a bit. It's ridiculous.

[JonM]

Do I have to respond to the American Community Survey / Puerto Rico Community Survey?

Not if it gets "lost" in the mail I don't.  >

With the 10 year census they eventually send people out to collect the answers from people who didn't return the form.

[John]

I don't!
Then they hound the neighbors to find out what they can about me.

[John]

 " . . . they eventually send people out to collect the answers . . . "

They can ALL go to hell!

[Pat K]

Well John is feeling fiesty this morning.

[Dave Ridley]

" . . . they eventually send people out to collect the answers . . . "

as usual, this is something we can take advantage of.  Make them send people out and spend their money chasing you  so they have less for the DEA and HUD.