FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2003
Public Information Office CB03-CN.03
(301) 763-3691/457-3620 (fax)
(301) 457-1037 (TDD)
e-mail: <2000usa@census.gov>
U.S. Census Bureau to Count Americans in France, Kuwait and Mexico
The Commerce Department's Census Bureau said today it will conduct test
censuses in France, Kuwait and Mexico in 2004 as the first step toward
determining the feasibility of counting Americans overseas in the 2010
Census.
In the 1990 and 2000 censuses, only federal civilian employees and U.S.
military and their dependents living overseas were included in the count,
which used administrative records from the Department of Defense and other
federal agencies. These counts then were added to those of United States
residents to apportion the U.S. House of Representatives.
In the 2004 Overseas Enumeration Test, the Census Bureau, through
partner organizations and English-language media in each of the three
countries, will mount a publicity campaign to inform people how they can
participate.
U.S. citizens living in the three countries may request that a
questionnaire be mailed to their overseas address. In addition, Americans
overseas may pick up questionnaires at embassies and consulates or from
partner organizations that serve Americans overseas. They also may respond
to the census via the Internet.
The countries in the 2004 test were selected for their geographic
diversity, as well as for the large numbers of Americans retirees,
students and business people residing in large and small towns within
their borders.
Through the 2004 Overseas Enumeration Test, the Census Bureau expects to
gather information about the level of participation of Americans overseas,
the quality of the data collected, the effectiveness of its overseas
outreach and marketing campaigns and if there are any barriers to
integrating an overseas enumeration with stateside enumeration processes
in 2010.
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