September 18, 2007, Vol 1, Issue 21

Stand up and be counted. Our favorite newsletter (aside from this one, of course) is Mental Floss. If you don’t read it, check out their site. It’s a geek’s dream come true.

Their Census Trivia got us so excited, we had to share. And while we’re at it, we’d like to share some of our own census info nuggets with you!

The Census Says:

* The ancient Romans were the first to conduct a regular census (from the Latin for “assessment”). They listed your sex and age so that those in charge could determine if you were appropriate for military service. They listed the number of people in your household so they knew how to levy taxes. And they listed your name and address in case they needed to come get you because, say, you were plotting to assassinate the emperor and overthrow the government.
* In 1086, William the Conqueror commissioned what became known as The Domesday (Doomsday) Book, which closely scrutinized the people and property of England. The citizens likened the “third degree” to the judgment that they expected to undergo during the apocalypse, hence the name for the book. Those who knew better – royals and religious leaders – weren’t included in the count.
* The U.S. Census organizes its findings by counties, but parts of Alaska are so sparsely-populated that there are no counties. Of these, the largest is the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area in Alaska. It covers a huge area spanning nearly 150,000 square miles (just slightly smaller than California), but is home to only about 6,500 residents.
* How serious do we take the Census? When forms were delivered via the USPS in 2000, a rather startling two-thirds of them were returned complete within the deadline, while census enumerators visited all others to gather the information personally. Sadly, the process has become increasingly expensive over the years. The 1980 Census cost just over $1 billion, which grew to $2.5 billion in 1990 and $4.5 billion by 2000. The Government Accountability Office has estimated the cost of the upcoming 2010 Census at well over $10 billion.

Abstract thought.

The Statistical Abstract of the United States, published since 1878, is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.

Use the Abstract as a convenient volume for statistical reference, and as a guide to sources of more information both in print and on the Web.

Sources of data include the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and many other Federal agencies and private organization.

Okay, not so abstract. In reality, this is a really concrete solution to some pretty great data.

Intermission.

Let’s all go to the lobby, let’s all go to the lobby….

Ever dreamed of reading all the latest books and having them delivered to your doorstep? No, we don’t mean buying all those books.

BookSwim is Netflix/ For books.

For about $20 per month, you’ll get three books mailed directly to your house. There are other plans available if you’re ambitious and would like more books sent to you on a monthly basis. Just like Netflix, there are no late fees, so you can keep the books as long as you’d like. You also have the option of purchasing a book if you love it too much to send it back.

Personally, we like the library. But that’s just ’cause there are people there and we don’t get out all that much.

Not just people.

You thought the Census just counted people, right? Wrong. There is some amazing business information to be had. For example…

Economic Census data help businesses:

* compare industries and locations
* develop business plans
* locate facilities, define markets, gauge the competition, attract investment, manage sales and assess efficiency

Drill down by industry or other criteria. You might not get as excited as we do by this, but we bet you’ll like it. (Even if you don’t admit it to your friends.)

Stump the Researcher.

A loyal reader asks: My kid is off to college and tells me she can download music free. And it’s legal. Sounds fishy to me.

Stealing music is a serious crime. But your daughter might be on the up-and-up. Read on.

And submit your own question – send an email!
Click here for the answer. It’ll just take a minute.

The Census site is chock full of useful information. Some is easy to access. Some needs an expert eye (and experience with those huge data files).

Check it out. And if you need us to analyze or mine any data, you know where to find us! Hopefully by now you’ve come to the CON-census that we’re here to help. (We couldn’t resist!)

See you in two weeks!