The Commonwealth is nearing the end of its effort to conduct a census
of population and housing. Preliminary data are expected to be available in
the near future. Some people question the value of a census and some have
been hesitant to cooperate with enumerators in providing answers to the
questions which are admittedly quite personal. But such people should
realize their response is very confidential and the data collected and
processed when published as totals are very useful in a wide variety of
ways and, in some cases, could even save lives. For instance, the housing
portion can give civil defense and emergency relief officials some
indication as to the level of probable damage after a severe typhoon since
dwellings with tin roofs, which is a question in the census, are most
likely to sustain serious damage and render many houses uninhabitable.
Census figures provide planners with the number of people who may need
temporary shelter. By examining census figures the Red Cross or the U. S.
military will then have some indication of the number of tents or temporary
units to provide on a very short notice along with food and medicine.
     In other instances, medical officials are aware of the various
diseases likely to affect certain age groups of people. In the event an
epidemic of one form or another such as, for example, Rubella (measles),
breaks out among younger people, the census  will indicate  the number of
children among the various cohorts in need of inoculation.  Disability
information which is collected also provides guidance to health providers.
The fecundity question asked of women of child bearing age tells
demographic experts if there is an unusually high incidence of still births
per thousand births and, if so, sends a signal to experts to determine the
reason why the number exceeds the norm.
     The question posed as to the number of radios, including those in a
vehicle, lets officials know the number of persons in the population likely
to hear and react to emergency instructions. This could assist in negating
rumors and limit the possibility of panic.
     Businesses use the data to evaluate market characteristics. An
entrepreneur interested in  manufacturing clothing for the local market can
determine from the census the population within various age groups and can
thus gain insight into the various sizes of clothing possible to
manufacture and the gender for the garments. Of course there are many other
uses for such marketing information. Census data does not provide
information on the Commonwealth’s tourists, but does include statistics on
nonresident workers.
     Educators use the data to determine the optimum location for new
school construction and the size of the student population such facilities
are expected to accommodate. The census tells government officials the
number of jobs that will have to be provided for local people in the
future. Even newspapers can evaluate the literacy level and language usage
of the population, as can education officials and advertising agencies.
    Comparing the most recent data collected in a census with that of a
previous period  is helpful in measuring population growth within all
segments of the area’s ethnic composition and its economic strata.
Characteristics of the labor force can be examined to provide a better
understanding of the economy, the unemployment rate, wages by sector and a
myriad of other useful information to both the private sector and the
government.
     In terms of utilities, the data are vital in determining existing
demand and is basic for planning future requirements for water, power and
sewer facilities.  Average residential rental payments by neighborhood can
be obtained as well as private ownership of individual homes. Population
data are used to reapportion the seats in the legislature and are essential
in documenting applications for federal assistance of all kinds.
    A census is the only way to accurately measure what has happened in a
society or area and provides a snapshot of the islands at a particular
point in time. A census is the most useful tool for making projections of
the population for those years between censuses. It seems that many of us
always look to the future because - for some - the present does not
satisfy. Our ideal, whatever it may be, always lies further on.  For
business and government alike, a census can point the way and provide
direction for those profound investment decisions which must be made.
     It should be remembered that all information collected in a census is
confidential in terms of individual responses and  held in strict
confidence. Only when all the data are assembled as a total, where not a
single individual or family information can be identified, are the data
released to the public. Data for individuals or households  are  never made
available to tax and immigration authorities or anyone else other than
census workers who are sworn to secrecy. The information is held as
confidential for 76 years or three generations. All census employees are
subject to heavy fines and possibly a prison sentence if any information
relating to an individual or their household is divulged to unauthorized
persons outside the census effort. A census enumerator interviews hundreds
and hundreds of people during the course of their assignment. They don’t
remember, or even care to remember, the personal details provided by
respondents. The housing portion alone involves something like 370,000
different entries. Information about individuals could exceed in total of 3
million separate entries. In the long run an accurate census is to
everyone’s benefit.

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