Census, Q&A

Answers to several common questions regarding the Census are listed below. Additional information is available on the 2010 Census website at 2010.Census.gov.

Where can I find extensive information about the Census?

Visit  2010census.gov.

How do I know if I need to participate in the 2010 Census?

By law, every person in the United States must participate in the 2010 Census, even noncitizens, those who are visiting long term, and those without permanent homes who are staying with friends or relatives. Remember to include in your household count newborn babies.

Who sees the information I share on my form?

Your responses are safe and confidential.

By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s answers with anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies, law enforcement entities and city offices.

All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

 How can I get help completing my Census form?

Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QACs) will be open March 19-April 19, 2010, at a variety of locations in Dearborn including all Dearborn public libraries, City Hall, the Dearborn Ice Skating Center (DISC), and several community organizations such as ACCESS.

Census employees at these sites can answer general questions about completing the questionnaire and provide special language assistance.

For locations and hours help is available, call 313-943-3003.

 What if I lost my census form?

If you lost or misplaced your form, call the Telephone Questionnaire Assistance Center at 1-866-872-6868.

 What if I have more than one home address?

People should complete the Census form they receive at the address they consider their permanent residence (where they live and sleep most of the year).

 What if I am out of town on April 1?

If you arrive home in early April, complete and mail the census form at that time.

If you are away for an extended period of time, you can contact the Census Bureau or visit a Be Counted site or a Questionnaire Assistance Center you are visiting to request a new Census form.

Forms are specifically coded to each address, so please do not change the address on a form mailed to you at another address.

Is the census form available in different languages?

The questionnaire is available in six languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.

However, Language Assistance Guides are available in 59 different languages to help people fill out the English version of the census form.

You may also access large print and Braille guides and a language reference dictionary. To request any of these materials, contact the U.S. Census Bureau via the website at 2010.census.gov.

 How can I be sure the person knocking on my door is a Census Bureau employee?

All U.S. Census Bureau employees carry a census staff identification card. You also have the right to see the employee’s driver’s license to ensure that the documents match.

If you still have concerns, you can call the Regional Census Office in Detroit at 1-800-432-1495.

Note the best way to avoid having a Census worker come to your home is to fill out and mail back the Census form by April 1.