Field Enumeration Outcomes in the 2010 Census

• Activity Number: 446
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
• Author(s): Maryann McCormick Chapin *+ and Annetta Clark Smith
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Nonresponse Follow-up ; Coverage ; Group Quarters ; Enumeration

Abstract

A goal of the 2010 Census was to count people once, only once, and in the right place. Although the Census Bureau relies heavily on the public returning responses by mail, that alone is not sufficient to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be counted. The Census Bureau uses multiple enumeration methods in an attempt to reach its goal. These enumeration methods include: Update/Enumerate, Update/Leave, Group Quarters Enumeration, Remote Alaska, and Nonresponse Follow-up. Additional opportunities, such as Telephone Questionnaire Assistance and the Be Counted Program, are provided if an individual or household thinks they have been missed. Coverage operations such as Field Verification and the Coverage Follow-up provide a final opportunity to ensure accurate coverage in the Census. This paper presents highlights from these 2010 Census enumeration operations. It reviews the general methodology, implementation challenges, results of the enumeration, and key lessons learned from these operations.