Does the US Census Bureau still walk the neighborhoods?

Factual Questions
1

I have never had the census bureau visit me in the past mainly because I lived in apartments or dorms. Do the census takers still walk around or is everything done by mail?

One reason I ask is that I generally don’t open the door if someone knocks. So if I peep out the upstairs window, is there any way to know if the census bureau is at your door as opposed to a door-to-door salesperson? Do they wear identifying uniforms or jackets?

2

I spent 2 months earlier this year walking around northwest Indiana on behalf of the census so yes, there are still walking census people. More and more is done by mail (and this time around I think the internet will be involved for 2010, but that wasn’t my department so I don’t know for sure) but most certainly there is still walking involved.

Not uniforms. We did have an official Census tote bag to carry all our stuff in (we definitely had stuff to carry), with US Census in large, prominent lettering on the side. We also had a government/census ID, were required to carry a picture ID, and also to announce up front that we were census workers prior to asking questions. We also had a half-page handout (English one side, Spanish other in our area) explaining what information you were required to give and a phone number to call with questions.

If a census worker knocks on your door they will likely be dressed casually, with walking shoes of some sort. They will not have a uniform. They will, however, identify themselves as census workers (most likely, you’ll only see one) and you can always ask to see their IDs. If you’re really paranoid you can look up the phone number of your local census office (either phone information or the internet should have this) and ask them to confirm the person outside is a census worker.

Believe me, someone doing all of the above is nothing compared to some of the reactions I had to deal with. Not to mention being chased by a coyote and some irate raccoons, but that’s a different story.

3

You need boots on the ground. The Air Force can’t do everything.

4

Just a few weeks ago a census worker rang my doorbell to give me advanced notice that they’d be coming around next year.