Skip to main content

Today's Poll: Do you think the US should have a census every 10 years?

By Howard B. Owens
bud prevost

Too bad the census taking couldn't be combined with searching for illegals and terrorists. I'm curious how an enumerator would verify one's citizenship, or if there is verification at all.

Feb 3, 2010, 9:56am Permalink
Bob Harker

Although the census is necessary, all they will get from me is how many people live at our address. This info should be used to be the ONLY source for determining congressional, representative and state voting districts. The constant (and illegal) "redistricting" by the major parties should NEVER be accepted by voters.

They don't need to know household income or any of the other impertinent info requested.

Feb 3, 2010, 10:33am Permalink
C. M. Barons

If you ever decide to research your family genealogy, your take on the census may soften. The information documented in the census has evolved over the years. In the early versions of the 18th and 19th centuries, only numbers of free and enslaved males and females within age ranges were accounted. Later, names, ages, national origin, occupations, radio ownership, infant mortality, birth dates, etc. were documented.

My mother's paternal family lived in Alabama and South Carolina during the 19th Century. Between General Sherman's torch and the sterile enumerations, I am unable to trace her family beyond her great-great-grandfather.

Much of the 1890 census was lost to a Commerce Building fire in the 1920s. The 1790 Kentucky census went up in smoke during the War of 1812. Researchers are awaiting the release of data from the 1940 census.

The U.S. Census as described in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, calls for enumeration of U. S. population every ten years. The official count is applied to calculating apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives. The first census was conducted in 1790. Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, administered the census, utilizing U.S. marshals on horseback to count 3.9 million inhabitants. The responsibility of conducting the census is now in the hands of the Commerce Department, conducted every ten years, generally on April 1.

Currently, census records are available to the public up to the 1930 Census. The 1940 Census is due for release in 2012, the 1950 Census will be released in 2022, the 1960 Census, in 2032, etc.

The Census contains personal information, and the law restricts its release until the information is 72 years old- the life expectancy of a U. S. citizen.

Feb 3, 2010, 11:55am Permalink
C. M. Barons

I'm sure that past census data has been used to determine fighting potential of north vs. south, demographics of German or Japanese immigrants, slave population, etc. Using the census for purposes that result in reprisals from law enforcement- the IRS, INS, DEA or other alphabet soup agencies fouls the purpose of the census and skews the accuracy of subsequent data. People will not participate in a census if doing so poses a threat. It's evident from the posts that paranoia haunts the census.

Feb 3, 2010, 12:11pm Permalink
DOUGLAS MCCLURG

Couldn't it all be done through social security numbers..
with computers today the way they are...come on..you fill out this survey...All the Info given,,be it little or alot,,gets put Into a SS# account online..

Feb 3, 2010, 9:13pm Permalink

Authentically Local