Census Bureau to conduct surveys online

The U.S. Census Bureau announced on Monday that it will let participants submit online responses to the American Community Survey in a bid to boost participation.

The agency said the move will save money on printing, paper, postage and processing, while maintaining security.

“The online response option is part of an ongoing digital transformation at the Census Bureau,” Thomas Mesenbourg, the Census Bureau's acting director, said in a statement. “The Census Bureau is transforming to make responding to surveys more convenient, conducting surveys more cost-effective and America's statistics more accessible on digital and mobile devices.” 

The American Community Survey is an on-going sampling of information about American households. The study, which is sent to about 3.5 million households every year, includes questions on topics such as education, occupation, language, ancestry and housing costs.

People selected to participate in the survey will receive a letter in the mail with instructions about how to log on to the Census Bureau's website to complete the survey.

In addition to allowing online responses, the Census Bureau said Monday it will ask questions about computer and Internet usage.

“The people who respond to the American Community Survey contribute vital information that benefits their neighborhoods, towns and cities,” Mesenbourg said. “That's why participation is so important."

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