Census data is collected once every ten years. The information determines congressional seats as well as the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal aid. The 2010 questionnaire was one of the shortest with only 10 questions.

68% of the LA population has returned the census. That means that during the months of May through July, the other 32% will receive a visit from a Census worker. The information is not specific to Wilmington so it may not accurately represent our community. Census takers will ONLY ask households to answer the 10 questions on the form. They carry picture badges and black Census bags. 

Although the information is confidential, suspicion of the government is not uncommon in the Latino community. To combat this problem, Both MALDEF and VotoLatino have campaigns encouraging Latinos to fill out the Census without fear. Lalo Alcaraz even created an informative comix.

Latinos were also confused about the question of race. None of the choices seem appropriate for Latinos. Because of this, every year most Latinos end up checking “White”. This year’s fill-in-the-blank also allows Latinos to write in more appropriate ways that they identify.

For those who have a direct connection with their indigenous roots, they can check American Indian and write in their affiliation, such as: Aymara, Quechua, Mixtec, Maya, P’urépecha, Huichol or Yaqui, etc. If they don’t know their affiliation-which is perhaps the case for most Mexicans/Chicanos and Hispanics/Latinos, the bureau will accept “unknown,” “detribalized, “de-Indigenized” or “mestizo” or any other term that indicates the indigenous ancestry.

For more information, check out the Census Website or VotoLatino.

VotoLatino PSA