Video: U.S. Census Bureau Trying to go Paperless

Ten years ago, the U.S. census enumerators carried paper maps to make sure each resident was counted. The maps were 3 feet wide and were unwieldy, to say the least. This year's census takers will carry something a bit more compact: a handheld GPS. Every single housing unit will be defined by its latitude and longitude.

You an watch a video about all this on the KCSG television station's web site at: http://www.kcsg.com/news/local/43074027.html?video=YHI&t=a.

Comments

[John Wm Cramer]

They are already using the GPS Units and are Logging info for houses now.
So the census takers later can just do the census. My cousin in
Sidney Ohio has been working on this for several weeks.

[Keri]

Someone came through my neighborhood abt a week ago doing the preliminary work. We chatted briefly and I told her I was interested in their process because of my family research and asked to see the screen on the little device. She informed me that they had been instructed that they could be fired if they allowed anyone to see. Bummer!

[Jerry]

I was one of the people using the gps unit. The addresses for an area were in the unit so that we could verify them. Changes were made if necessary so that the 2010 census could be mailed to each residence next year. The gps marked for the residence will be good for homes that are hard to find - guest house on property - if someone has to go to the residence. It would be interesting to see if that part of the census is released in 2082. Hope it will be a benefit to my great-granchildren.

[Glenrose Englerth]

I had a lady come last week and she was checking the address and how many lived here. That is all she asked. Imagine we will find out just what all they did check when our Questions and Answers to the 2010 Census takes place.

[chris]

Gps wow cannot find some area's on the Gps now It seems like maybe some people will be missed out.