North CarolinaLibrary Association
October 9,2009Greenville, NC
Dr. Robert Groves Confirmed as
U.S. Census Bureau Director
Census News
North Carolina Cities Among the Fastest Growing
• Cary, Raleigh among top 10 fastest-growing U.S. cities; Durham in top 20
• Cary, which saw its population increase by 6.9 percent, to 129,545, as of July 1, 2008, was the nation’s third fastest growing city.
• Raleigh’s population climbed by 3.8 percent, to 392,552, making North Carolina’s capital the eighth fastest growing city.
July 1, 2009 Triangle Business Journal
Census News
North Carolina Cities Among the Fastest Growing
• Durham was ranked 16th with a 3 percent increase. Its population rose to 223,284.
• Charlotte, which saw its population increase by 2.7 percent, to 687,456, was ranked 23rd.
July 1, 2009 Triangle Business Journal
Pitt County QuickFacts
•White Persons 90,639•Black Persons
49,242•American Indian/Alaska Native 308•Asian persons
1,750•Hispanic or Latino origin 6,341
U.S. Census Bureau State & County Quickfacts
Final Response Rates2000 Census
North Carolina 64%Chatham County 69%Dare County 36%Durham County 68%Edgecombe County 57%Franklin County 62%Granville County 64%Halifax County 56%Johnston County 60%
Final Response Rates2000 Census
Northampton County 58%Orange County 68%Person County 68%Pitt County Randolph County 65%Richmond County 55%Vance County 58%Wake County 71%Warren County 52%
WHAT IS THE CENSUS?
The census is a count of everyone living in the United States.
The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution to apportion Congress.
Federal law protects the personal information shared during the census.
10 questions, 10 minutes to complete.
Why Do We Take the Census?
Participation in the census is required by law. The U.S. Constitution mandates a head count every 10 years.
The next census occurs in 2010.
State population totals must be submitted to the President by December 31, 2010.
Will the 2010 Census be the same as 2000?
• No, there are important changes.
• 2010 Census will be short form only-just 10 questions.
• Long form is now the American Community Survey.
HOW IS IT USED?
Determines congressional seats.
• Defines where jobs and job programs are needed.
• Helps potential homeowners research property values and other demographic information.
• Corporations use data for market research to determine locations for food stores, pharmacies and other services.
HOW IS IT USED?
• Census data are used to distribute over $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.
– Grants to educational agencies (school districts)– Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (food grants)– Head Start programs– Public transportation– Road rehabilitation and construction – Programs for the elderly – Emergency food and shelter
IS IT CONFIDENTIAL?
Absolutely!• Answers are protected by law (Title 13)
• Not even the President of the United Sates can access individual responses
• Census workers must pass security and employment reference checks.
• Census Bureau employees are subject to a $250,000 fine and/or a 5-year prison term
The Most effective way to get the word out—Complete Count
Committees• Volunteer committee established by tribal, state and local government and/or community
leaders
• Local CCC’s are formed by highest elected official in jurisdiction.
• Members appointed to represent cross section of community.
• Increase awareness and motivate residents in the community to respond
• Charged with developing and implementing a plan designed to target specific characteristics in their community
• CCC is unique in each community - comes in all shapes!
WHY FORM A CCC?
• Increase the response rate for residents mailing back questionnaires
• Utilize local knowledge to implement a census awareness campaign to targeted the community.
• Bring together a cross-section of the community members
SPEAKS THE LANGUAGE OF ITS COMMUNITY!
HOW TO ORGANIZE A COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE?
• Identify the chair, or leader, of the group
• Choose leaders in their own areas of expertise and experience, with influence in those groups.
• Depending on the size of the CCC, form subcommittees.
GROUP CHAIR
GOVERNMENT
EDUCATION
FAITH-BASEDORGANIZATIO
NSMEDIA
COMMUNITYORGANIZATION
S
BUSINESSES YOUTH
Sample Organizational Chart
ACTIVITIES OF CCC’S
• Identify organizations that can provide space for QAC’s and “Be Counted” Sites.
• Develop a list of barriers that might impede the progress of the 2010 Census
• Create ways to dispel myths about the privacy of census data.
• Place census messages in water bills, property tax bills, newsletters, websites and other correspondence.
ACTIVITIES OF CCC’S
• Allocate funds to conduct CCC outreach.
• Develop an action plan.
• Assign staff to work with state, local, and community groups.
• Identify targets for aggressive outreach.
ACTIVITIES OF CCC
• Encourage corporations to become official sponsors of your census activities.
• Have census banners, posters, and other signage placed in highly visible public locations.
• Sponsor census booths at county fairs, carnivals and festivals (especially cultural and ethnic celebrations).
When Should a CCC Organize?
• Get organized right now!
• The 2010 Census is less than a year away.
• Immediate formulation will ensure local residents are kept abreast of census operations.
• The more informed residents are about the 2010 Census, the better they will fill out the form.
Suggested Schedule for CCC
February – December 2009
• CCC members participate in training.• Hold regularly scheduled meetings.• Report on tasks and activities.• Proceed with census awareness activities.• Saturate community with at least one census
message each month.
Suggested Schedule for CCC’s
January 2010
• Hold monthly CCC meetings.• Finalize plans for activities surrounding questionnaire
delivery days and Census Day activities.• Finalize plans for activities to encourage residents to
complete and return questionnaires.
Suggested Schedule for CCC’s
February 2010
• Modify as needed, plans for activities surrounding questionnaire delivery days and Census Day activities.
• Check with subcommittee chairs on the number and location of QAC’s and Be Counted Sites.
• Finalize all plans for March and April.
Suggested Schedule for CCC’s
March 2010 – Countdown to Census Day
• Implement activities leading to Census Day.
• Send press releases highlighting Census Day.
• Encourage community members to participate with census workers during operations.
Suggested Schedule for CCC’s
Census Day, April 1, 2010
• The time has come to act!• Implement Census Day activities.• Hold daily activities to encourage residents to
complete and return questionnaires.• Prepare to implement activities for residents that did
not return questionnaires.
Non-Response Follow-Up
May – July 2010
• Use all sources to encourage residents to cooperate with census workers.
• Continue to meet to give and receive 2010 progress reports.
• Prepare summary of activities.• Celebrate the success of the 2010 Census and
recognize all members of the Committee.
Summary: Benefits of CCC’s
• The CCC speaks the language of the community.• The CCC will help ensure an accurate 2010 Census
count.• The CCC gains valuable knowledge about the census
process and the community.• The CCC increases the participation ratio through July
2010.
For More Information
• www.census.gov/2010Census
• http://2010.census.gov/partners/
• http://www.census.gov/schools/index.html
• http://2010.census.gov/partners/national-complete-count-committee/
Contact Information
Laura Strickland McClettieTeam Leader North [email protected]: 704-728.4039