Who is excited about the 2011 Census?

I know we are…! 

With the upcoming 2011 Census Ben comments on different international Censuses and the logistics of collecting Census data.

Yes I know that a newsletter topic on Census may not be as exciting as previous topics such as Columbia or Australian tourist destinations but if you bear with me you may be pleasantly surprised, I know I was. On the night of 9^th August 2011 all of Australia will take part in the 16^th Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). In light of this I have explored the focus of different international Census data with a similar latitude as Brisbane (27 deg, 28 min, 15 sec South). The opposite line of latitude, 27 degrees North, cuts through the top of India (2011 Census) and the bottom of the United States (2010 Census).

 

The 2011 Indian Census was conducted by the Government of India with this year being the 15^th Census of India since 1872. The primary focus of this Census is population with data products produced including distribution of population, child population (0 – 6 years), population (7+ years), literacy and literacy rates, and sex ratio of population. This Census is focused on population data as India is the second most populous country in the world (17.5%) behind China (19.4%). The percentage growth rate of population has decreased by 23.87% (1981-1991), 21.54% (1991-2001), and 17.64% (2001-2011) for consecutive Census years.

The sheer magnitude of the numbers in India is incredible. The total 2011 Census provisional population for India is 1.21 billion, equivalent to 55 Australias crammed into a land mass less than half the size of ours. The population of the two most populous states, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra (312 million) is greater than the population of the United States while the population of children aged 0 – 6 years in Uttar Pradesh (29.7 million) is greater than the current total population of Australia 22,663,100.

 

The United States 2010 Census was conducted by the United States Census Bureau. Results are published in the ‘Statistical Abstract of the United States’ including a summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organisation of the United States. Data contained in the statistical abstract is sourced from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labour Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis and many other Federal agencies and private organisations.

2010 Census population data included in the 2011 statistical abstract expresses the diverse multicultural society that is the United States, being heavily categorised by race and Hispanic-origin status. One third of the population is located in five states – California, Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois. The most populous state is California with 37.3 million people, greater than the current total population of Australia, and the most populous city was New York with 8.18 million people. The only state to decline in population since 2000 was the heavy manufacturing state of Michigan, which has been hit hard by the downturn in domestic manufacturing, particularly the automobile sector. Of the total US population 16.3% were Hispanic or Latino, increasing by 43% since the 2000 Census. By comparison, the non-Hispanic or Latino population increased by only 5%.

In 2009 there were fewer people than there were automobiles in Los Angeles. Also in 2009 12.05% of American households were single males while 15.28% were single females, compared to 22.2% of households in 2006 in SEQ were lone person households projected to increase to 25.3% by 2031.

 

Another interesting concept is the logistics of collecting Census data in different countries with the Indian Census taking eleven months to complete whereas the United State Census only five months. The collection process of each Census is summarised below. The 2011 Indian Census was held in two phases with the ‘House listing and Housing Census’ held between April and September 2010 and the ‘Population Enumeration’ held during February 2011. Geographical and seasonal constraints include the collection of ‘Population Enumeration’ in snow bound areas during September 2010. The United States 2010 Census process started in March 2010 and concluded in July, with door-to-door operations starting in May, following up households that didn’t receive or mail back a form.

 

The 2011 Australian Census has the shortest turn-around time of the three with Census material delivery starting on the 29^th July and collection on the 10^th August 2011. During the 2006 Census 10.05% of households submitted their information via eCensus (online option to completing Census). Although this is a relatively small amount correct implementation of eCensus could result in shorter collection times for Census data in a time hungry technological society.

The ABS collects Census data every five years and this year marks a significant milestone with 100 years of national Census taking in Australia. The ABS states that the Census of Population and Housing aims to accurately count the number of people in Australia, their key characteristics, and the dwellings in which they live. Collection of Census data is important as the Census underpins Australia’s democracy and is crucial to communities, private institutions and all levels of government when planning infrastructure, community services and facilities where you live.

 

I hope this month’s newsletter topic hasn’t been too dry and you are as excited as we are for the 2011 Census, so mark in your diary Tuesday 9^th August for a fun filled night filling out your 2011 Census form…!