APRIL 15, 2014 Demography: The Study of Population and Population Change

What is Demography? The study of population, with an emphasis on quantitative aspects such as birth and death rates. Who studies it?  Demographers Why study population?  To address the issue of rising population around the world  To understand where and why populations exist

What is a Census? “the official process of counting the number of people in a country, city, or town and collecting information about them” (Merriam-Webster) from Latin, meaning “to tax”

History of Censuses 500BCE: Regional Censuses in Rome 1086: The Doomsday Book  Earliest example of a public record outlining ownership of resources and landholdings, obligations to pay taxes and to complete military services first national census in Sweden  Relied on records from churches and other organizations first national census in United States  Used enumerators for the first time

Enumerators Enumerators:  “Name things one after another in a list”  “To ascertain the number of”  “A census taker” (Merriam-Webster)

English Census, 1851

History of the Canadian Census First census conducted by Jean Talon in New France (what is now part of Canada) in 1666  Measured the age, sex, marital status, and occupation of the~3000 people living there After Confederation, the first national census took place in 1871  To be taken in 10 year increments from this point onward Jean Talon

History of the Canadian Census The year after Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces (1906), special censuses were conducted for these areas  Also taken in 10 year increments In 1956 the government decided to combine these two censuses and hold one every 5 years

Canadian Census, 1871

Current Census Most recent census took place in 2011 Two formats  Short form- 8 questions (mandatory)  National Household Survey – replaces the long form which had ~55 questions on occupation, ethnicity, citizenship, and income (optional) Those who refuse to participate may be:  Fined up $500  Imprisoned for up to 3 months

Short Form National Household Survey Name Gender Date of birth/age Marital status Language Occupation Home ownership/rent Citizenship Ancestry Education Income Tax What information is recorded?

Role of Enumerators Today In MDC’s- enumerators mail out census forms and expect them to be mailed back IN LDC’s- enumerators go door to door to collect information In 2006, census forms became available online

Inaccuracies Caused by:  Refusal to cooperate  Failure to count all citizens  Homelessness  Fear of slums or high crime areas  Isolated areas  Privacy issues Why does this matter?  Unfair political representation  Unfair funding  Lack of funding for homeless

Any Questions?? Today: “What is a Census?” Questions  Due April 16 th When you finish those please work on completing Reading Review #7