The Census Questionnaire

At the end of February 2010, census questionnaires are mailed to every household throughout Arizona. For the 2010 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau has opted to use only a “short form” questionnaire. In past censuses, one in six households received a “long form” questionnaire that contained additional questions and provided more detailed socioeconomic information about the population. The 2010 census short-form will count all residents living in the United States, as well as collect information such as name, gender, age, date of birth, race, ethnicity, relationship and housing information:

• The gender question has been asked since 1790 and is critical because many federal programs must differentiate between males and females. Data about gender is used to allocate funds to institutions of higher learning that increase participation, particularly of minority women, in scientific and engineering programs under the Higher Education Act. At the state and county levels, data about gender are used to allocate funds for food, health care services, and classes in meal planning to low-income women with children.

• The race question has been asked since 1790 and is used in the formula to fund programs that foster equal opportunity through postsecondary education for African-Americans. This goal is achieved by funding programs at historically black colleges and universities in professional and academic areas where African-Americans are underrepresented in society. For the Public Health Service Act, race is a key factor in identifying segments of the population who may not receive needed medical services. Also, states require data about the racial makeup of the voting age population to meet legislative redistricting requirements.

• The age question been asked since 1800 and is important to federal programs targeting funds or services to children, working-age adults, women of childbearing age or older adults. Counties and school districts are allotted funds based on age data, and these funds provide resources and services to improve the education of economically disadvantaged children and children with disabilities. Locations where new schools are needed, as well as the required grade levels, are identified using data about age. Planners at all levels of government forecast the need for highways, hospitals, health services, and senior communities by using age data.

• The relationship question been asked since 1880 and is essential for classifying the population into families and other groups. Data about families in poverty are used to distribute funds for housing to local governments and to allocate funds to states and counties to improve the education of children in low-income families. Local health agencies plan and administer programs promoting the well-being of families and children using information obtained from the relationship question.

• The housing question has been asked since 1890. Housing is one of the integral components used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish Fair Market Rents. This information is used to allocate federal housing program subsidies that assist American families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing.