What determines if you get the LONG or SHORT census for? I got the short; what's on the long?

-- Shorty (@ .), March 15, 2000

Answers

http://www.2000.census.gov/iqa/

-- david moore (davidmoore01@excccite.com), March 15, 2000.

All it says is

" The long form (sample) questionnaire, which goes to an average of one in six households, has the short form questions plus additional questions"

So, what determines which 18% receive the long form? Is it random?

-- Shorty (@ .), March 15, 2000.

I didn't find an answer to that specific question, but I did find a Cens us 2000 FAQ on that site.

Apparently the short form has the minimum questions they need answered to produce "block level" data, while the long form naturally produces more detail and will likely be used for sampling and extrapolation. Sending out long forms to everyone would be a waste of time, since the response and accuracy for even the short forms is not all that wonderful.

As has been pointed out, the census data is just another in a series of US population databases that have been created in the past few years. It's mandated by the Constitution, so it's not like they can simply decide to not take the census, and the data is the only official government source for making a whole mess of legislative decisions. However, it is unlikely to provide much more detail on any given individual than can currently be gathered using easily-acquired tools and a bit of sleuthing.

-- DeeEmBee (macbeth1@pacbell.net), March 15, 2000.

Some of the questions are:

Do you keep guns in the house?

Where do you keep them?

Do you really think some of these questions will be answered because the penalty of law clause? What's going on here?

-- Fox (ardrinc@aol.com), March 15, 2000.

I have already sent in my census form. It says in the Constitution that a census shall be taken and so I answered the questions. They asked me how many people lived at the address, did we rent or own and what color are we? What's all this with questions about guns? Never heard of such a thing. Are you sure the NRA didn't drop off a questionaire at your house?

-- imho (Redy@or.not), March 15, 2000.

Oh, yes, and one other very important thing. They didn't even ask me my name.

-- imho (Redy@or.not), March 15, 2000.

The short form census came addressed to current resident. I shall answer the first question, as required in the constitution, and the rest I will plead the 5th on.

I read on the EZ board forum, that most who have made recent firearm purchases, received the long form. Coincidence?

Read Unclebob's thread at the top for related info.

-- cin (cinlooo@aol.com), March 15, 2000.

We got the long form, here are some of the questions:

Person 1

1. Whats the persons name?

2. What is the persons teleohone number

3. What is the persons sex?

4. What is the persons age and what is the persons date of birth?

5. Is this person Spanish, Hispanic,Latino?

6. What is the persons race?

7. What is the persons marital status?

8.A. At any time since February 1, 2000 has this person attended regular school or college?

8.B. What grade level was this person attending?

9. What is the highest degree or level of school this person has completed?

10. What is this persons ancestory or ethnic origin?

11.A Does this person speak a language other than English at home?

11.B What language?

11. C. How well does this person speak English?

12. Where was this person born?

13. Is this person a CITIZEN of the United States?

14. When did this person come to live in the United States?

15.A. Did this person live in this house or apartment 5 years ago (on April 1, 1995)?

15.B. Where did this person live five years ago?

16. Does this person have any of the following long lasting conditions: A: blindness, deafness or severe hearing impairment? B: A condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying?

17. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities? A. Learning, remembering or concentrating? b. Dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home? C. (Answer if this person is 16 years old or over) Going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctors office? d. (Answer if this person is 16 years or older) Working at a job or business?

18. Was this person under 15 years of age on April 1, 2000?

19.A Does this person have his/her own grandchildren under the age of 18 living in this house or apartment?

19.B. Is this grandparent currently responsible for most of the basic needs of any grandchildren under the age of 18 who live in this house or apartment?

19.c. How long has this grandparent been responsible for these grandchildren?

20.A. Has this person ever served on active duty in the US Armed forces, military reserves or National Guard?

20.B. When did this person serve on active duty in the US Armed forces?

20.C. In total, how many years of active duty military service has this person had?

21. LAST WEEK id this person do any work for either pay or profit?

22. At what location did this person work LAST WEEK? A.(Address and phone)B. Name of city, and town.

23.A. How did this person usually get to work last week (Check car, van, other) 23.B. How many people including this person, usually rode to work in the car, truck or van LAST WEEK?

24.A. What time did this person usually leave home to go to work LAST WEEK?

24.B. How many minutes did it usually take this person to get from home to work last week?

(ANSWER QUESTIONS 25-26 FOR PERSONS WHO DID NOT WORK FOR PAY OR PROFIT LAST WEEK> OTHERS SKIP TO 27.)

25.A. Last week was this person on layoff from a Job?

25.B. Last week was this person temporarily absent from a job or business?

25.C. Has this person been informed that he or she will be recalled to work within the next 6 months OR been given a date to return to work?

25.D. Has this person been looking for work during the last 4 weeks?

25.E. LAST WEEK could this person have started a job if offered one, or returned to work if recalled?

26. When did this person last work, even if for a few days?

27. Industry or employer: A. For whom did this person work? B. What kind of business or industry was it? C. What kind of activity?

28. Occupation A. What kind of occupation was this person doing? B. What was the persons most important activity or duty?

29. Was this person: (lists 8 choices to check for kind of employment like state, fed, private, non profit)

30.A. Last year in 1999 did this person work at a job or business at any time?

30.B. How many weeks did this person work in 1999?

30C. During the weeks worked in 1999 how many hours did this person usually work each week?

31. Income in 1999 A.Wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs? (list amounts) B. Self-employed income from own nonfarn business or farm business, including proprietorships and partnerships? List amount. C. Interest, dividends, net rental income, royalty income, or income from estates and trusts. List even small amounts. D. Social Security or Railroad Retirement. E. Supplemental Security Income SSI). F. Any public assistance or welfare payments from the state or local welfare office? G. Retirement, surviivors or disability pensions? H. Any other sources of income received regularly such as Veterans payments, unemployment compensation, child support, or alimony?

32. What was this persons total income for 1999?

33. Is this a house, apartment, or mobile home?

34. Which best describes this building? (check kind of structure)

35. About when was this building first built? List year.

36. When did this person first move into this house, apartment or mobile home?

37. How many rooms do you have in this house or mobile home?

38. How many bedrooms do you have that is how many bedrooms would you list if this house, apartment, or house were on the market or for sale?

39. Do you have complete plumbing facilities in this house, apartment or mobile home, that is: 1) hot and cold piped water, 2) a flush toilet and 3) a bathtub or shower?

40. Do you have complete kitchen facilities in this house, apartment, or mobile home? 1) a sink with piped water 2) a range or stove, and 3) a refrigerator?

41. Is there telephone service available in this house, apartment, or mobile home from which you can make and receive phone calls?

42. Which fuel is used most for heating this house and apartment or mobile home?

43. How many automobiles, vans, and trucks of one-ton capacity or less are kept at this home for use by members of your household?

44. Answer only if this is a one faily house or mobil home - All others skip to 45. A. Is there a business (such as a store or barber shop or medical office on the peoperty? B. How many acres is this house or mobile home on? C. In 1999, what were the actual sales of all agriculture products from this property?

45. What are the annual costs of utilities and fuels for this house, apartment or mobile home? A. Electricity? B. Gas? C. Water and sewer? D. Oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc.

46. Answer only if you pay rent for this house, apartment or mobile home - all others skip to 47. A. What is the monthly rent? B. Does the monthly rent include meals?

47. Answer questions 47A -53 if you or someone in this household owns or is buying this house or apartment, or mobile home, otherwise skip to questions for person 2. A. Do you have a mortgage, deed of trust, contract to purchase or similar debt on this property? B. How much is your regular monthly mortgage on this property? C. Does your regular monthly mortgage payment include payments for real estate taxes on THIS property? D. Does your regular monthly mortgage payment include payments for fire, hazard, or floor insurance on this property?

48. A. Do you have a second mortgage or home equity loan on this property? B. How much is your regular monthly payment on all second or junior mortgages and all home equity loans on this property?

49. What were the real estate taxes on this property last year?

50. What was the annual payment for fire, hazard, and flood insurance on this property?

51. What is the value of this property, that is how much do you think this house and lot, apartment, or mobile home, would sell for if it were sold?

52. Answer only if a condominuim. What is the monthly condo fee?

52. Answer only if a mobile home. A. Do you have an installment loan or contract on this mobile home?

B. What was the total cost for installment loans, payments, personal property taxes, site rent, registration fees, and license fees on this mobile home site last year?

Are there more people living here, continue on to PERSON 2.

THAT FOLKS, was the long form, section for the lst person!

any comments!

-- suzy (suzy@nowhere.com), March 15, 2000.

Fox:

I didn't see any questions about guns on Suzy's report of the form questions. Is this what you heard about the form or have you actually seen these questions?

We've been doing a lot of research into our family's history and would have been dead in the water without past census information so there are some good reasons to return the form.

-- Jim Cooke (JJCooke@yahoo.com), March 16, 2000.

I received both the long and short form. I sent both back. Now I guess I'll be counted twice.

Fox,

Listening a little too much to 5070?

-- Chief (bmc@sealret.com), March 16, 2000.

BTW, under the ethnic origin question I checked Native American and for tribe put Illinois. If you were born here you ARE a Native American.

-- Chief (bmc@sealret.com), March 16, 2000.

There is a third form that's even more invasive that only goes to one out of one hundred victims.

That's probably the one with the gun questions.

-- no (not@me.nope), March 17, 2000.