Mayor's Messages

US Census participation important to Fort Worth’s future

Posted May 7, 2010

Hundreds of census takers across the nation have begun the massive chore of going door-to-door to follow up with households that didn’t mail back their form, didn’t respond in time, or didn’t receive a survey. An estimated 48 million addresses will be visited across the nation through the month of July.

Nationally, roughly 72 percent of households mailed back their census forms. But with a 70 percent response in Fort Worth, we’re behind the curb. This has the potential to cost all of us locally, and that’s why I’m asking you to make sure to answer your door if the Census comes knocking.

If a 2010 Census worker visits your home or apartment, here are some ways to verify that person is a legitimate census taker:

• The census taker must present an ID badge that contains a Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date. The census taker may also be carrying a black canvass bag with a Census Bureau logo.
• The census taker will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the local census office phone number for verification, if asked.
• The census taker will only ask you the questions that appear on the 2010 Census form.
• The 2010 Census taker will not ask for social security number, bank account number or credit card number and will never solicit for donations or contact you by e-mail.

According to the Census website, if you failed to respond to the Census forms mailed earlier, Census workers will make up to six attempts at each address to count possible residents. If they miss you, they will leave notification of the attempted visit. They may also try to reach each household by phone to conduct the interview or schedule an in-person interview.

Fort Worth continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, and it’s vitally important that we obtain the representation and federal dollars we deserve as one of the largest cities in America. Each person that is not counted is an opportunity lost.

If a Census taker knocks on your door, I urge you cooperate by providing the basic information needed to complete the interview. It’s easy. It’s quick. And your answers are strictly confidential. More importantly, your answers will ensure a better Fort Worth. 

For more information about the Census, please visit the Census Bureau website at www.census.gov.

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