How accurate are census and unemployment figures?

Ever wonder if the U.S. Census correctly counts Blacks and Hispanics living in prisons or Native Americans living on reservations? And are all census forms filled out truthfully and accurately?

It was reported in 2009 that controversial Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) told the Washington Times she and her family would not complete the 2010 census forms in their entirety. Bachman said her family would only indicate the number of people in their household, for "the Constitution doesn't require any information beyond that."

An important fact to note from the 2010 Census is that one out of every ten Americans lives in Los Angeles or New York.

According to Mike Gregorio in the U.S. Census Bureau's Public Information Office (PIO), the April 1, 2010 Census counted everyone in the country based on residency status. This included the U.S. prison population. The census questionnaire did not ask the question whether the person was in the country legally or illegally.

Derick Moore, public affairs specialist in the same office, said that persons living in tribal homelands are also counted, and the goal of the U.S. Census is to count everyone in everyplace living in the United States.

As for how many people are unemployed, those figures are kept by the U. S. Department of Labor. The unemployment numbers are derived from counting people actually looking for work and eligible to work under certain guidelines and would not include the incarcerated, housewives, or most college students.

For more facts about the U.S. Census, go to www.census.gov.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.