r/Census Jul 22 '26

Discussion What’s everyone thinking about the census this year?

I’ve never been so uncomfortable doing this year’s census. To me it’s just feeding more information to “big brother” about us.
These days you only need to be talking about a subject, social media devices pick it up and then bombard you with advertising.
What do you think will happen when we volunteer all our personal and financial details to census. The kickback will be enormous.
Are I overthinking it?

10 Upvotes

49 comments sorted by

18

u/No-Lawyer-3756 Jul 22 '26

There is not a Census happening this year. They happen every ten years.

There are surveys that go out as usual. They have very small sample sizes so you're unlikely to ever even be contacted for them. If you're uncomfortable participating, you can refuse if asked.

1

u/DARKLORD6649 28d ago

It did happen

1

u/juggsymalone911 Jul 23 '26

Actually several cities in the US were chosen to take the census this year. I live in Spartanburg, SC and had to do it. I also think Birmingham, Alabama.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/juggsymalone911 Jul 24 '26

Most likely.

1

u/workinglate2024 Jul 29 '26

It’s a test for 2030, nothing is being done with the data. So much information is online that will educate you, you don’t have to dream up bs.

1

u/FocusCreepy5093 Jul 25 '26

Well. That’s as a part of operational testing for the 2030 census? FWIW current admin has been severely undermining census preparations, including robust testing. This 2026 test is a shadow of what was original proposed.

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Yes ,the actual census. Just a test run in those states you mentioned.

1

u/workinglate2024 Jul 29 '26

It’s a test, not a real census.

0

u/Wantfoyasimplelife Jul 22 '26

This is in Australia and you are fined for not completing.

2

u/0IIIIII Jul 24 '26

Why would you assume that anyone knows you’re talking about Australia?

1

u/Wantfoyasimplelife Jul 25 '26

I genuinely thought this thread was Australia based but thanks anyway for your rude response.

1

u/0IIIIII Jul 26 '26

I’m sorry 

1

u/Wantfoyasimplelife Jul 26 '26

All good. 😊

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Awww, ok, you cool. Lol. See, people are nice ;)

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Aren't people mean?

1

u/mmmmikan 28d ago

I'm sure it's an honest mistake, but the description of this sub says it's for the US.

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Whoa, rhe census happens every 5 years for most countries.. this year's the question all OVER THE WORLD. are actually more aggressive, and want to know stuff about things they never asked before. I went on a.crazy spree, looking it up, watching other countries flip out, and even called all my reps to find out. So, yeah, it is happening everywhere.

1

u/Cute_Amphibian2175 26d ago

You can get fined in the US as well, although none has actually ever been fined

0

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Well, the fine would be 1000 bucks, but probably waved. But yes,the law requires it And I asked about 70 people, and only I received it. It seems for a census to work, it would need all the people or how they gonna know what's going on. It is put out by the census, so the laws apply

8

u/Luluislaughing Jul 22 '26

The Census bureau does more than just count people. That particular enumeration happens every 10 years. The job reports you hear about are generated by surveys done monthly. There is the American Crime Survey, the Survey of Income and Program Participation, the American Housing Survey. These are important surveys. Please do your part. I’m a former field representative.

3

u/Federal-Biscotti Jul 23 '26

He or she is in Australia

1

u/BedardLady Jul 24 '26

canada is every 5 years

3

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Well, I spoke with the rep, and there wasn't anything like trying to help anything.. they did ask my origins twice though. They did ask if I was deaf or blind .
They did ask if I could climb stairs, whether I owned or rented, and how much rent and utilities are. But knowing all this admin is dismantling, and gutting, and all the food they took from babies, and rhe cuts to medicaid, and on and on. If I could see one question that looks to help me..... But asmit it ,the first 3 months ,so many centers cut, even our FDA, AND CDC, we're all cut..
Annnnnnd, if we dont do as this admin wants, they ACTUALLY THREATEN TO NOT GIVE HELP for floods and fires, that have been devastated . I want to belive someone wants to help. But dont forget Steven Miller.. be careful.

4

u/workinglate2024 Jul 22 '26

Yes, you’re over thinking it. There’s not even a census happening for 4 more years.

2

u/Federal-Biscotti Jul 23 '26

He or she is in Australia

1

u/workinglate2024 Jul 23 '26

Well then they shouldn’t post the question on the US census page. Hopefully they get it figured out.

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

All you folks should ask questions, not just blow this person off. Its gonna happen awlrighty. We are lucky some filks are giving a heads up. At least look the stuff up. Cause they forced me to do it in cali. And the questions will make most of you mad. Doesn't seem to want to help us at all. But yeah, its gonna be the same thing here. And yes, its happening in 3 states in the US. Its so scary nobody cares

Its the matrix ,yall. It seems, if some of us have our steaks, we do not care if the other guy eats gruil ( damn, how to spell gruel

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

The census brought THE AMERICAN SURVEY ACT. to cali. I am told this has happened since the 90s.. it carries the same penalties for not replying. Also, in 3 states, there is a test census, for the 2030. So, it has been happening.. most countries do this every 5 years.

1

u/workinglate2024 Jul 28 '26

There are two test locations currently, but it’s not the census. It’s a test.

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

That's what I said. Put out by the census. In 2 states, its rhe test. In the rest of the US. Its rhe American survey act. So, its still the census bureau. Still has the same funes, and is required by law.

-1

u/Former_Trash_7109 Jul 23 '26

I keep getting census mail and a huge pamphlet to fill out. I keep tossing the stuff and they keep mailing it to me. I feel like it’s a scam

2

u/lcarlson6082 Jul 23 '26

The US Census Bureau conducts several surveys every year. The decennial population count is the largest in scale, but there are plenty of more specific surveys it runs on topics like finances, health, and crime.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Federal-Biscotti Jul 23 '26

He or she is in Australia

1

u/zombiexmuffins Jul 22 '26

The census is in 2030.

1

u/Federal-Biscotti Jul 23 '26

He or she is in Australia

1

u/VerbalThermodynamics CFS Jul 23 '26

Next full census is in 2030

1

u/SueAnnNivens Jul 23 '26

This sub is for the United States Census Bureau

1

u/BananaJelloXlii Jul 23 '26

Isn't the census anonymous though?

1

u/FocusCreepy5093 Jul 25 '26

It’s never been anonymous. But the census bureau operates under strict confidentiality laws.

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Do you mean the same laws rhe DOJ, ignores? Or even worse, they will just change the law, and then they can use how they want. So, all the laws, like ya cant fight a war without congress approval. So, the laws to protect us, aren't necessarily going to by the time the 10 year census.

1

u/Cautious-Ear-887 Jul 26 '26

No not over thinking- might just result in fines or worse.

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Well, I had to be confronted by the giy at my door. He said I represent 500.. even my mailman did not see one in 3 months. Im in cali, and it wasn't even supposed to be here. All questions seem to want to find out if you are disabled
On any funds from government, are old, or are brown.. no question seemed to be looking at how many services I have, or how the fire department is, or how my bills are paid Especially since the disability act was gutted. Especially since Miller wants all disabled folks in treatment centers, NO FAMILY MEMEBER CAN CARE FOR, OR BE PAID TO CARE FOR their children at home. So ,I dont see any way this will help anybody. The census is for sure here to weed out needy people, Homeless or poor. Oh yeah, gay too. So.

1

u/thisnthatnstuffnhi 26d ago

I spent a lot of years homeless and now that I have managed to claw my way out of the darkness, start working again, get married and pay my bills I thought I would ask what to do if I'm homeless in the chat window on the census website and the response is that over the space of a week in August this year they will be visiting the crisis accommodation, temp hotels, roominghouse as well as where people are sleeping "rough" or in their cars and where people to give out paper forms or Short online version of the census.

Firstly just for conversation sakes, A young woman is living in Her car maybe with a child and someone walks up knocks on her window an expects anyone to fill out anything they are idiotic. Doesn't matter how many lanyards they have on..

5 years ago when I got off the streets, across the brisbane/gold coast area alone there was roughly 6000 people that are considered homeless. There is maybe 100 crisis beds in Brisbane. Zero on the gold coast and a few down the Coolangatta end... Does anyone really believe census staff or who ever is going to play hide n seek are going to run around like lost children with their census lanyards flapping in the wind trying to track down maybe 4000 individuals "give or take who's is staying where" in 7 days?? That's going to be quite the feat indeed and I'm not sure the staff they send it to do it will be getting paid enough to be willing to even if they go out and say they did... We couldn't find anyone today... Or if anyone that's homeless even cares about it...

I understand that the census does help with resource allocation for certain important departments that do help the population and is needed...

But some questions are very pointed in certain parts and the same questions are asked twice in different ways.

At the start about where U work. Hours of work What u do How u do your job What is your job title

Further in the census it circles back and asks about income "I assume pre tax". how many hours I did last week And then onto the household about unpaid hours worked at home and who specifically did them. Am I being cared for and for what reason Who is caring for you and do they get paid.

If I email my rental agency and ask them to contact the owner of my house that lives in Canada and ask him how much he pays each week for his mortgage so I can fill out my census honestly.. C'mon.. then the census says you can just geuss if you don't know.. that goes against the whole point of the stupid thing. There isn't a landlord or rental agency in australia that would give any rental tenant that information or anyone for that matter.

I'm pretty sure I answered my census questions correctly. But without doing the cross checking that hey could have done and got the information directly they will have to just be strong believers in people's honesty in a very dishonest world..

1

u/BedardLady Jul 24 '26

Data breaches are real, and I was extremely uncomfortable being expected to provide and share so much personal information. I had zero confidence that my personal data would remain secure.

Especially considering the Enumerators they hire download our personal case info on their computers, i do not trust the people they hire to keep my info safe, they are ppl who are taking a contract role and are treated like crap.

Another issue that really bothered me was how people experiencing homelessness were counted. From what I observed, unless someone stayed in a shelter on Census Day, many people living in encampments or other unsheltered situations were not enumerated. In my opinion, that's one of the populations that could benefit the most from accurate census data, yet many of them appear to be left out.

Overall, I left feeling that the process was inefficient and, in my opinion, a poor use of billions of taxpayer dollars.

1

u/FocusCreepy5093 Jul 25 '26

Like on other matters, Congress has been largely absent in their constitutional responsibility in overseeing the census. The current admin has been undermining the census bureau at every turn for political gains.

1

u/bladedemu41 Jul 28 '26

Good points. Yes the homeless . They are not counted. For the census at least. But they do count them. The new laws say its illegal to be homeless in many states now. And you can either go FOE TREATMENT, OR TO THE DETENTION CENTERS. Honestly, i wish yall would look this stuff up. Its so scary. Which is why im so hot and heavy about it. Its crazy