What Is the Form Like?

In 2000, the Census Bureau sent out about 83 million short forms (with seven questions) and 15 million long forms (with 52 questions). Prewitt says the short form asks for less information than is found on your driver's license and takes about 10 minutes to complete. The long form takes about 38 minutes, he estimates. Although the rate varies according to population density, in most areas about 5 out of 6 homes will receive the short form, while the remaining 1 out of 6 will receive the long form. (In some rural areas, as many as every other home may receive this long form, because a larger sample is needed to ensure that these towns and counties get the same detailed information as more densely populated areas.)

Long and short forms went out in early March.

The questionnaires have room for information on six household members. If you have more than six living in your home, you should fill in the additional names, and a Census Bureau representative will contact you for more information.

The short form -- the shortest in 180 years -- contains six population questions and one housing question. The long form has 31 population questions (including the six short-form population questions) and 21 housing questions (including the short-form housing question). Questions are included on the census questionnaire only if they serve a legal or programmatic need, according to census officials. (For information on these reasons, see the Census Bureau's Web site.)

For the first time, the 2000 census allowed you to identify yourself as being more than one race. Participants in the census had the choice of checking off as many race categories as they wished. Hispanics may be of any race; therefore, there is one question on Hispanic origin and another on race.

The only additional documents you need to help you complete the form are income tax forms and property tax and homeowners' payment records. (Only a few figures are needed.)