Former University of Michigan sociology professor Robert Groves was named to head the U. S. Census Bureau last year. He's been busy with kicking off the 2010 census.
Millions of American households got a form in the mail with this year's census form. Here's a brief roundup of some of the sets of data and reports that will be produced from these surveys, and links to census resources from past years.
Noorvik, Alaska, January 25, 2010 -- Census Bureau Director Robert Groves traveled by dog sled today and visited residents in the remote Alaskan village of Noorvik. There he met with the mayor and local leaders before a team of huskies guided him to a local residence to perform the first 2010 Census enumeration.
U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office
The Census is traditionally kicked off in Alaska. This year started off in Noorvik, which had a 2000 census count of 634.
The news is full of census stories; Google News has an automated summary.
The Census Bureau warns of census scams. No one from the Census will send you a question via email, and the Census does not collect any information via the Internet. The Michigan Attorney General's Census scam warnings notes that if you have any questions about a census-related query you should call 1-866-861-2010 to verify.
The U-M library has an extensive guide to historical census data, providing links and research tools going back to the 1790s. It's also possible to find historical census information on Google Books, including this 1904 Michigan census available as full text. The introductory letter speaks to some of the problems (then and now) of doing census work:
In general the work of the enumerators selected under the law proved satisfactory. It is a fact however that probably five per cent in number of these enumerators should never have received their commissions owing to their inability to properly perform their work.
This map of 2000 estimates of census participation rates shows how some neighborhoods are more systematically undercounted than others.
U.S. Census Bureau
The census is tracking how fast forms are being returned on its Take 10 Map. The map shows what percentage of census forms in 2000 were returned, broken down at the state, county, city and census tract levels. Seventy-two percent of forms were returned last year nationwide and 76 percent were returned in Michigan. Compliance varies widely by neighborhood.
The Census QuickFacts for Michigan gives simple tables of census data at the county level for all 83 counties in the state, and also has city level detail for 45 of the largest cities. Much of the data is updated to 2008 estimates.
The State of Michigan's Census analysis has estimates through 2008, and includes some of the data reduced to handy spreadsheet formats.
The American Community Survey from the U.S. Census is an ongoing sampling survey of the population, designed to get more detailed information about the population. If you got the 14 page form ACS form in your census envelope, it's part of the required response results.
Edward Vielmetti was "person 2" on this decade's Census short form. Reach him at 734-330-2465.
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