News From the Town of Colonie

Paula A. Mahan Town Supervisor

 

Census 2010 Address Canvassing: Coming to Your Neighborhood

 

Beginning in April 2009, U.S. Census employees will visit every community during the first major field activity in preparation for the 2010 Census.

By visiting addresses in every community, the Census Bureau will know where to send questionnaires and enumerators in 2010. Using hand-held computers, Census employees will walk through communities to identify the location of every housing unit. This is how it will work:

1. Employees will make a courtesy visit to each housing unit.

2. They will verify the address.

3. Using the hand-held computer, the Census employee will capture the address and GPS coordinates for the housing unit.

This project is important for a number of reasons:

• It helps the Census Bureau build an up-to-date Address List and maps that serve as the backbone of the 2010 Decennial Census.

• Address Canvassing lays the groundwork for a more cost-effective and accurate operation.

• It paves the way for the success of other 2010 Census operations that follow.

If you have questions about Address Canvassing, call the Town of Colonie Community Development Department (783-2718).