From the AP...
JACKSON, Miss. -- New U.S. Census Bureau figures show Mississippi's voting-age and overall population counts rose slightly between 2008 and 2009.
The estimates, which are current as of July 1, 2009, show the number of Mississippians 18 and older increased by 12,356, or 0.56 percent.
The bureau's estimate of the state's voting-age population in 2008 was 2,171,898, compared to 2,184,254 for 2009.
Link: http://www.clarionledger.com
The 2009 voting age population represented 74 percent of the overall population, as it did in 2008.
Mississippi's overall population rose from 2,938,618 to 2,951,996, the bureau estimated, an increase of 13,378, or 0.45 percent.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Census workshop held on Coast
Census workshop browses Web
By LEIGH COLEMAN - Sun Herald
LONG BEACH — The 2010 census is only a few weeks away. In March, forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States.
To prepare for the census, local government agencies gathered for a workshop Wednesday to learn how to navigate the Census Bureau’s new Web site.
The workshop was held at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast campus. It was hosted by the Gulf Coast Regional Planning Commission and the Census Bureau.
“The new Web site will be similar to a Google search with images and will be simple and easy to maneuver through. Everybody can use this information,” said the commission’s transportation planner, Martha Faures.
“The Web site is a fountain of information and the data is used by libraries, planners, governments, non-profits and developers. Getting an accurate count of all Coast residents is critical to our future funding, and our information will be on this site for all to see.”
The new site, www.2010census.gov, includes an animated marquee and images, downloadable language guides, blogs and an interactive census form.
Census officials said the form is one of the shortest in history and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
Faures said the population loss after Hurricane Katrina has prompted a strong awareness push for the census on the Coast.
“People do not understand how much we depend on census data. It even affects the roads we travel on,” she said.
The workshop also focused on training Coast officials and organizations in the use of census data.
Attendees learned how to use data for grant-writing for emergency services, housing, education and economic development.
By LEIGH COLEMAN - Sun Herald
LONG BEACH — The 2010 census is only a few weeks away. In March, forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States.
To prepare for the census, local government agencies gathered for a workshop Wednesday to learn how to navigate the Census Bureau’s new Web site.
The workshop was held at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast campus. It was hosted by the Gulf Coast Regional Planning Commission and the Census Bureau.
“The new Web site will be similar to a Google search with images and will be simple and easy to maneuver through. Everybody can use this information,” said the commission’s transportation planner, Martha Faures.
“The Web site is a fountain of information and the data is used by libraries, planners, governments, non-profits and developers. Getting an accurate count of all Coast residents is critical to our future funding, and our information will be on this site for all to see.”
The new site, www.2010census.gov, includes an animated marquee and images, downloadable language guides, blogs and an interactive census form.
Census officials said the form is one of the shortest in history and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
Faures said the population loss after Hurricane Katrina has prompted a strong awareness push for the census on the Coast.
“People do not understand how much we depend on census data. It even affects the roads we travel on,” she said.
The workshop also focused on training Coast officials and organizations in the use of census data.
Attendees learned how to use data for grant-writing for emergency services, housing, education and economic development.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
AG's office fights Census fraud
Tips On Preventing Identity Theft During 2010 Census
Jan 5, 2010 - Jan 12, 2010 N/A
See Schedule
Tips On Preventing Identity Theft During 2010 Census
Contact: Jan Schaefer
Public Information Officer
601-359-2002
Jscha@ago.state.ms.us
Jackson, Miss.- The 2010 census is cranking up, and it is important for Mississippi citizens to be wary of thieves impersonating census workers in order to steal identities, cautions Attorney General Jim Hood.
The constitution requires that all residents of the United States be counted every 10 years. The data collected from each census, determines such things as which states and communities receive federal funding and the number of seats each state has in the United States House of Representatives.
"It is very important for all Mississippi citizens to be cooperative with census workers, but they should also be cautious of who they give personal information to," said Attorney General Hood.
Census forms are first being mailed to each household in March 2010. The best way to avoid a personal visit from a census worker is to complete the census form and return it by the April 1, 2010 deadline. Census workers are required to visit addresses that have not completed the census form and mailed it back by the deadline. Those who return the form by the deadline will most likely NOT receive a visit from a census worker, although census workers are visiting some households to perform quality checks. These checks require that some households be visited more than once. Additionally, if you returned your form late, your response might not be logged before a census worker is sent out. The Census Bureau assures that before your household receives a mailed form, a phone call or a visit from their representative, you will be given a few days notice with a letter from the Census Bureau Director.
The following is a list of tips to remember when talking with census workers or completing the census form.
* Any request for census information from the Census Bureau
will be clearly marked as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.
* All census workers carry official government badges marked
with their name. You can also ask for a second identification to compare to the government badge. Never answer questions until you have seen the ID badge.
* Currently census workers are only knocking on doors to
verify address information. No other information should be asked of you until March 2010 when the census forms are mailed.
* The Census Bureau will never ask for your Social Security
number, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers.
* Census workers will never under any circumstances ask to
enter your home.
* Census workers will never ask for any information to be
submitted online or through email.
To learn more about the census process, go to www.agjimhood.com , click on "about" and then "Census 2010". To learn more about protecting your identity, click on "resources and links" and then "forms and publications"
and take a closer look at the Identity Theft Handbook and Pamphlets. If you feel you have been a victim of identity theft, call the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's Office at 1-800-281-4418.
Jan Schaefer
Public Information Officer
Office of the Attorney General
State of Mississippi
601-359-2002 (office)
Jan 5, 2010 - Jan 12, 2010 N/A
See Schedule
Tips On Preventing Identity Theft During 2010 Census
Contact: Jan Schaefer
Public Information Officer
601-359-2002
Jscha@ago.state.ms.us
Jackson, Miss.- The 2010 census is cranking up, and it is important for Mississippi citizens to be wary of thieves impersonating census workers in order to steal identities, cautions Attorney General Jim Hood.
The constitution requires that all residents of the United States be counted every 10 years. The data collected from each census, determines such things as which states and communities receive federal funding and the number of seats each state has in the United States House of Representatives.
"It is very important for all Mississippi citizens to be cooperative with census workers, but they should also be cautious of who they give personal information to," said Attorney General Hood.
Census forms are first being mailed to each household in March 2010. The best way to avoid a personal visit from a census worker is to complete the census form and return it by the April 1, 2010 deadline. Census workers are required to visit addresses that have not completed the census form and mailed it back by the deadline. Those who return the form by the deadline will most likely NOT receive a visit from a census worker, although census workers are visiting some households to perform quality checks. These checks require that some households be visited more than once. Additionally, if you returned your form late, your response might not be logged before a census worker is sent out. The Census Bureau assures that before your household receives a mailed form, a phone call or a visit from their representative, you will be given a few days notice with a letter from the Census Bureau Director.
The following is a list of tips to remember when talking with census workers or completing the census form.
* Any request for census information from the Census Bureau
will be clearly marked as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.
* All census workers carry official government badges marked
with their name. You can also ask for a second identification to compare to the government badge. Never answer questions until you have seen the ID badge.
* Currently census workers are only knocking on doors to
verify address information. No other information should be asked of you until March 2010 when the census forms are mailed.
* The Census Bureau will never ask for your Social Security
number, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers.
* Census workers will never under any circumstances ask to
enter your home.
* Census workers will never ask for any information to be
submitted online or through email.
To learn more about the census process, go to www.agjimhood.com , click on "about" and then "Census 2010". To learn more about protecting your identity, click on "resources and links" and then "forms and publications"
and take a closer look at the Identity Theft Handbook and Pamphlets. If you feel you have been a victim of identity theft, call the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's Office at 1-800-281-4418.
Jan Schaefer
Public Information Officer
Office of the Attorney General
State of Mississippi
601-359-2002 (office)
Monday, January 4, 2010
Census Bureau kicks off road tour
Census kicks off once-a-decade head count
by The Associated Press9 hrs ago | 104 views | 0 | 3 | | WASHINGTON — The Census Bureau kicks off its $300 million campaign Monday to prod, coax and cajole the nation's more than 300 million residents to fill out their once-a-decade census forms.
The bureau will mail out the 10-question forms to about 120 million households in March.
On Monday, Census Director Robert Groves starts the nationwide campaign with an event in New York City where he is scheduled to unveil a 46-foot trailer called "Mail It Back." In all, 13 vehicles are to be present at about 800 events around the country, from small community happenings to the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four.
"The whole purpose is to reach out to people at local events," Groves said.
Residents can expect to receive letters in early March notifying them that census forms will arrive between March 15-17. Residents who don't respond will get a follow-up postcard. Those who still don't respond can expect a visit from a census taker by early May.
by The Associated Press9 hrs ago | 104 views | 0 | 3 | | WASHINGTON — The Census Bureau kicks off its $300 million campaign Monday to prod, coax and cajole the nation's more than 300 million residents to fill out their once-a-decade census forms.
The bureau will mail out the 10-question forms to about 120 million households in March.
On Monday, Census Director Robert Groves starts the nationwide campaign with an event in New York City where he is scheduled to unveil a 46-foot trailer called "Mail It Back." In all, 13 vehicles are to be present at about 800 events around the country, from small community happenings to the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four.
"The whole purpose is to reach out to people at local events," Groves said.
Residents can expect to receive letters in early March notifying them that census forms will arrive between March 15-17. Residents who don't respond will get a follow-up postcard. Those who still don't respond can expect a visit from a census taker by early May.
Update from the Census Bureau on new website...
Happy New Year! Just a note to inform you that the Census Bureau's 2010
Census web site's videos and new marquee are now LIVE. Please check this
out at your earliest convenience.
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/
Census web site's videos and new marquee are now LIVE. Please check this
out at your earliest convenience.
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Sun Herald asks, Will Census 2010 cost us a seat?
An editorial from the Sun Herald...
Following the 2000 Census, South Mississippi gained a seat in the state House of Representatives: District 95, which meanders north from Diamondhead in Hancock County to East Saucier in Harrison County, where it plunges south through Orange Grove, shoots east into the Bel Aire precincts of Gulfport and finally bottoms out south of Interstate 10 just outside of Long Beach.
Even though the area is represented by Jessica Upshaw, a Republican from Diamondhead, South Mississippi legislators of both parties are concerned about the chances of the district staying in South Mississippi during the redistricting process that will follow the 2010 Census.
Population estimates show roughly as many people live in the six southernmost counties now as did 10 years ago. But the numbers have shifted. In the north, George, Pearl River and Stone counties have gained population, while in the south, Hancock and Harrison counties have lost population. Jackson County is about where it was.
Next year, those estimates will be turned into hard numbers. It is vital that each South Mississippian is counted, so that all will be properly represented at the Capitol.
Following the 2000 Census, South Mississippi gained a seat in the state House of Representatives: District 95, which meanders north from Diamondhead in Hancock County to East Saucier in Harrison County, where it plunges south through Orange Grove, shoots east into the Bel Aire precincts of Gulfport and finally bottoms out south of Interstate 10 just outside of Long Beach.
Even though the area is represented by Jessica Upshaw, a Republican from Diamondhead, South Mississippi legislators of both parties are concerned about the chances of the district staying in South Mississippi during the redistricting process that will follow the 2010 Census.
Population estimates show roughly as many people live in the six southernmost counties now as did 10 years ago. But the numbers have shifted. In the north, George, Pearl River and Stone counties have gained population, while in the south, Hancock and Harrison counties have lost population. Jackson County is about where it was.
Next year, those estimates will be turned into hard numbers. It is vital that each South Mississippian is counted, so that all will be properly represented at the Capitol.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Daily Journal: Census soon
Daily Journal describes importance of being counted in Census 2010...
The year ahead offers many challenges for Mississippi. Paying for critical state services in a time of plummeting revenues and reviving a recession-battered economy are just two of the most obvious.
But one of the toughest challenges may be one of the most basic - getting everybody in the state counted.
In 2010, the nation will have its decennial census as prescribed by the Constitution. To say there's a lot riding on the outcome is an understatement.
An accurate count can make the difference in how much of $400 billion in federal aid Mississippi gets. The census also determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress for the next 10 years.
The 2000 census hit Mississippi with the loss of one of its five congressional seats. While our state showed some population growth, it wasn't as much as others who gained additional Washington representation at Mississippi's expense.
The U.S. Census bureau issues annual population estimates, and Mississippi in the recently released 2009 figures has 2,951,996 people, a 0.4 percent increase over 2008 and about 3.8 percent more than the official 2000 count of 2,844,666. Obviously, that's not fast-paced growth, which makes counting everyone next year that much more important.
One of the factors that is likely to hurt Mississippi is the outmigration from the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina's devastation uprooted so many lives in 2005. A lot of those residents moved into other parts of Mississippi, but others left the state entirely.
Some activists are lobbying for a special Census along the Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama coasts after the official 2010 count, which is supposed to reflect where people are living as of April 1. But that would be costly, and there's no indication of where the money would come from.
It won't be long before the Census effort cranks up. Census forms will be mailed or delivered to every household in March, with a request that they be returned by April 1, which is "National Census Day." From April through July, workers will knock on doors of those households that didn't return a form. In December, an official report with the numbers will be delivered to the president.
Mississippians can do their state a great favor by responding to the Census and returning the form as instructed. This will save everyone time and money, as well as helping ensure an accurate count.
This isn't some intrusive exercise by the federal government; it's a necessary procedure firmly rooted in our constitutional system. In short, cooperating fully with Census takers is a patriotic thing to do - and of vital importance to our state.
The year ahead offers many challenges for Mississippi. Paying for critical state services in a time of plummeting revenues and reviving a recession-battered economy are just two of the most obvious.
But one of the toughest challenges may be one of the most basic - getting everybody in the state counted.
In 2010, the nation will have its decennial census as prescribed by the Constitution. To say there's a lot riding on the outcome is an understatement.
An accurate count can make the difference in how much of $400 billion in federal aid Mississippi gets. The census also determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress for the next 10 years.
The 2000 census hit Mississippi with the loss of one of its five congressional seats. While our state showed some population growth, it wasn't as much as others who gained additional Washington representation at Mississippi's expense.
The U.S. Census bureau issues annual population estimates, and Mississippi in the recently released 2009 figures has 2,951,996 people, a 0.4 percent increase over 2008 and about 3.8 percent more than the official 2000 count of 2,844,666. Obviously, that's not fast-paced growth, which makes counting everyone next year that much more important.
One of the factors that is likely to hurt Mississippi is the outmigration from the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina's devastation uprooted so many lives in 2005. A lot of those residents moved into other parts of Mississippi, but others left the state entirely.
Some activists are lobbying for a special Census along the Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama coasts after the official 2010 count, which is supposed to reflect where people are living as of April 1. But that would be costly, and there's no indication of where the money would come from.
It won't be long before the Census effort cranks up. Census forms will be mailed or delivered to every household in March, with a request that they be returned by April 1, which is "National Census Day." From April through July, workers will knock on doors of those households that didn't return a form. In December, an official report with the numbers will be delivered to the president.
Mississippians can do their state a great favor by responding to the Census and returning the form as instructed. This will save everyone time and money, as well as helping ensure an accurate count.
This isn't some intrusive exercise by the federal government; it's a necessary procedure firmly rooted in our constitutional system. In short, cooperating fully with Census takers is a patriotic thing to do - and of vital importance to our state.
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