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Thursday, September 02, 2010
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| 9/24/2009 7:54:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Snowbirds targeted by census officials so headcount's accurate
BY DENISE MARTIN
It is not too early to become aware of the 2010 census-- the once-every-decade counting of every human living in the U.S.
For Minnesotans the upcoming census is important because, for one thing, the state has eight congressional seats designated based on population and one of the seats is perhaps in jeopardy.
Census numbers are used by agencies and federal departments to apportion dollars to local counties, cities and programs. Funding criteria are almost always based on population and demographics; age of residents, employed or not, household sizes, percentage of rental vs owned housing stock, etc.
A huge concern of census officials is losing headcounts of "snowbirds." These are people with winter dwellings outside of Minnesota, or who take to the road in an RV or camper seeking warmer climes in the winter.
A new bar code in use for the 2010 census tracking makes it more important than ever that snowbirds understand how to participate in the census before their annual migration. It used to be you could pencil whatever address you claimed as your residence onto the form.
But, for the 2010 census the mailings are bar-coded and can't be altered. To be counted as a Minnesota resident, it's imperative you fill out the form that will be mailed to your Minnesota address.
Ryan Dolan, campaign coordinator for the Minnesota 2010 census, said northern states have historically landed on the short end of the count. Part of this is due to snowbirds dutifully filling out census forms they typically receive in March, while they are still at their seasonal place of residence.
If you consider yourself a Minnesotan, do a couple of things to help "Minnesota count." Dolan said, wait until you return to Minnesota in the springtime to fill out a census form. Post offices do not forward forms. Snowbirds will get forms at both their Minnesota and seasonal homes.
And, talk to your friends and neighbors about the importance of filling out the Minnesota address form.
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