Census Due Today...Yikes!

Four Questions on the Census

by Mike Krumboltz

This is not an April Fools' Day joke.

Census forms are due today for almost all citizens of the United States.

The due date, well publicized on commercials and print advertisements, has led many to wonder of the consequences of not filling out their form. Web searches on "what happens if I don't fill out my census" are on the rise, as are related lookups on "is it against the law not to fill out census." Wondering yourself? Here are answers, straight from the official source (PDF), Census.gov.


Is it illegal to ignore my Census form?

According to the government, "your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law." Your response is required by "Title 13 section 221 of the United States code." But don't freak out about your personal responses being made public. "Title 13 also requires that the Census Bureau keep respondents' answers confidential." In other words, specific personal data is not revealed.

So, what happens if I don't fill it out?

Men in black suits will appear at your door and take you away, kicking and screaming. Kidding. But, actually, the real answer isn't all that much more appealing. Again, according to census.gov, you could be subject to a monster $5,000 fine. Fortunately, the government views this as a "last resort." Rather than having citizens respond out of a fear of fines, the government is hoping people will "mail it back" to help their community.

What about Census takers?

If you don't mail back your responses by April 1, you can expect to be getting a visit from a Census taker in the near future. If you're not there or don't answer, the Census taker will leave a note with information on how to schedule a visit. The Census worker will try to visit up to three times. And yes, you are required by law to talk to the Census taker.

What's in it for me?

Quite a bit, actually. Aside from helping your local community get the federal assistance it is entitled to, states also receive benefits. For example, without an accurate count, a state could receive fewer flu shots than they need and are entitled to. Also, if people don't participate, a state could potentially lose seats in Congress or Electoral votes. That means a smaller voice for citizens. NPR reports that when a city reaches 50,000 citizens, it becomes "easier for a community to qualify for federal funding." Some communities have gone so far as to hold contests to inspire their citizens to get on the ball.