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2010 Census: Why It

Matters and What It

Means for Boston

Alvaro LimaDirector for Research

Boston Redevelopment Authority

Ramon SotoCensus LiaisonCity of Boston

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Census BasicsProvide a complete count of all residents

at the place they live so that we can:◦ provide key demographic information;◦ accurately allocate federal funding◦ provide accurate Congressional

representation 1940: 14 Representatives 2000: 10 Representatives

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Funding 172 Federal ProgramsAllocation of funds to programs based on

population and population characteristics◦ Age◦ Disability◦ Educational Attainment◦ Foreign-Born◦ Gender◦ Geographical Mobility◦ Living Arrangements◦ Poverty◦ School Enrollment ◦ Voting and Registration

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Fiscal Year 2009 Estimated Obligations for the 10 Largest

Federal Assistance Programs (in Billions of Dollars)

MedicaidHwy Planning & ContructionState Fiscal Stabal-ization FundTitle 1 Grants to Local Educational AgenciesIDEA Part BTANFSection 8 Housing Choice VouchersCommunity Devel-opment Block GrantFederal Transit Formula GrantChildren's Health Insurance

266.6

54.1

39.7

17.1

24.5

22.8

16.6

13.3

13.0

10.6

Total Estimated Obligations: $478.3 Billion

1850

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1910

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2006

2007

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40% BostonMassa-chusetts

Share of Foreign-Born in Boston, Mass., and U.S.

(1850-2007)

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Boston’s Minority Groups Have Become the City’s New “Majority”

68%22%

6% 3% 1.1%1980

59%24%

11%5%1.0%1990

50%24%

14%

8% 1.4% 3%2000

50%22%

16%

8% 1.2% 1%2007

White Black or African American Hispanic or Latino AsianOther Multi-Racial

• Latinos (15.7%), Asians (8.2%), and Blacks or African Americans (22.3%) together with other minorities make up 50.1 percent of the city’s total population• Since 1990, the Latino population has increased by 53.6% and the Asian population by 71.1%

Mexico BrazilJamaica ColombiaCape Verde El SalvadorVietnam Dominican Repub-

licHaiti China

2.4%4,099

4.0%6,822

4.1%6,873

4.3%7,271

4.5%7,623

4.6%7,744

5.5%9,303

7.9%13,386

8.5%14,361

8.6%14,412

7Note: *Cape Verde population data is taken from the 05-07 ACS PUMS Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, American Community Survey, 2005-2007, BRA Research Division Analysis

New Bostonians Leading Countries of Origin

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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008550000560000570000580000590000600000610000620000630000

589,141590,293585,259

577,432

567,660559,034

590,763599,351

609,023

589,141

600,974603,982601,997597,947596,638595,698

608,352

620,535

Original Census EstimateSource: U.S. Census Bureau; BRA Research Division AnalysisNote: The Census Bureau made its revision for years beginning in 2005 only. The graph shows an interpolated change between the last official count of the population in 2000 and the first Census re-vision in 2005.

Interpolation

6.7% Growth

1.9% Discrepancy

Boston’s Annual Population Estimate (2001-2008)

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General Formulas UsedCounties and cities federal funding is

based on the following resources:◦ Population◦ Extent of poverty ◦ Extent of overcrowded housing◦ Population growth◦ Age of housing/housing loss

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ChallengesGetting the long form

to every household (LUCA)

Getting everyone to answer◦ Students◦ Low-income persons◦ Foreign-born

Short and Long FormCensus Boycott

◦ Confidentiality (Title 13)◦ Legalization and Counting◦ Identity

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Understanding the What, Why, and How

Boston CCC & C.O.B. Census Liaisons◦ A Complete Count Committee (CCC) is a

volunteer committee of local governments, community leaders, and organizations to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2010 Census

◦ Census Liaisons – represent every department & agency in City government.

◦ CCCs are local “census ambassador” groups that play an integral part in the 2010 Census.

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Planning Your Work, Working Your Plan

Effective CCC Activities◦ Public Service Announcement (PSAs)◦ Banners, posters, billboards & advertising on

benches◦ Events & parades◦ Print materials ◦ Faith-based activities◦ Translation of materials◦ Local media coverage

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Understanding the What, Why, and How

Overview of CCCs◦All responses provided on the 2010 Census questionnaire or to a Census Bureau employee are confidential and protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code◦No individual or agency can have access to any information that will tie the respondent to his or her responses◦Results from the census are reported in statistical format only◦Records are confidential for 72 years by law (Title 13, U.S. Code)◦Employees have lifetime-sworn status◦Penalty for wrongful disclosure is up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000

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Action Steps for Complete Count Committees

CCC Time Line◦ Education: 2008 -September 2009, “raising census

awareness” CCC Chairs ensure that members understand the mission of

the CCC◦ Promotion: April 2009 –January 2010

”The 2010 Census is Coming” It is imminent, easy, and important to participate

◦ Motivation/Action: February 2010 –June 2010 February: Motivate households to participate and make sure

they know where to get assistance in filling out the questionnaire.

March: Message “Countdown to Census Day”. Increase activities promoting the census

April: Message “Census Day!” Improve the mail-in response rate May : Message “Cooperate with Census Takers” and thank you

events for the CCC

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Action Steps for Complete Count Committees

Action Steps for April - May 2010◦ Census Bureau will provide response rate

numbers starting in April. Response rates may be used to determine where more outreach is needed

◦ Prepare to implement activities for residents who do not return their questionnaire

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City CalendarUpcoming census eventsNews & Press Releases

Video & Multimedia

Related Linkshttp://2010.census.gov/2010census/

The City of Boston wants every Boston resident to stand up and be counted in the 2010 federal Census.The campaign will raise awareness about the Census and its importance to Boston; dispel myths that may prevent people from being counted; and encourage all Bostonians to participate in the 2010 Census.

2010 CensusHomeAboutMessage from the MayorTool KitCalendarFAQsContributeGLBTChineseSpanishVietnamese

Contact Us

City Departments

ChineseMessage to Chinese community. More Info »

Haitian CreoleMessage to Haitian community. More Info »

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. The 2010 Census will help communities receive billions of dollars in federal funds each year. The data collected by the census also help determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of …

In the face of a globally challenging economic climate, one of the most positive signs for Boston is that our population continues to grow. In fact, last year, for the first time since the 1970s, Boston’s population surpassed 600,000 people… Watch the PSA here »

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2010 Census Integrated Communications Campaign

Key dates of the 2010 Census operational timeline include: Early Local Census Offices open Late 2008Address Canvassing conducted Spring 2009 Local Census offices open Fall 2009United States Postal Service delivers initial 2010 Census questionnaires

March 2010

CENSUS DAY April 1, 2010Nonresponse Follow-up Operation April – July 2010Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the President of the United States Dec. 31, 2010

Redistricting counts are delivered to statesFebruary 2011-March 2011

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