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

1749- first national census in Sweden Relied on records from churches and other

organizations1790- 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 2011Two 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 FormNational Household Survey

NameGenderDate of birth/ageMarital statusLanguage

OccupationHome

ownership/rentCitizenshipAncestryEducationIncome 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 16th

When you finish those please work on completing Reading Review #7