The Numbers Game

In counting Americans who can't or don't want to be found, the Census Bureau relies on average citizens, not federal workers, to do the job. In 2000, the bureau's partnerships with state and local officials, community groups, churches, schools and civic leaders dramatically reduced undercounts in hard-to-reach populations, experts say. These include non-English speakers, illegal immigrants, the homeless and those living in low-income or urban areas.

For 2010, the bureau has brought in some 2,000 specialists to educate the public, assuage fears and help fill out forms. Of the $1 billion in economic stimulus money the bureau received for the 2010 census, it poured $120 million into its Partnership Program.

"Census 2010 is really the sleeper civil rights issue of the 111th Congress," says Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, one of 250 national groups playing a role. Partners include the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, which has mounted a campaign to encourage Latinos to be counted.

"The Census Bureau cannot do its job if it cannot accurately count the Latino population," says NALEO executive director Arturo Vargas. "Because it is such a large segment of the population."

The partnerships have hit some snags. Republicans on Capitol Hill have lashed out at the bureau for working with the community group ACORN, which is battling allegations that its workers registered ineligible voters in the 2008 election. And cash-strapped state and local governments can invest little this time around. California, for example, set aside $24 million to help with the 2000 census. For 2010, it has committed just $1 million thus far.