College students fall in the demographic least likely to participate in the census, according to a March survey by the Pew Research Center.
The survey found 44 percent of people who might not or definitely won’t participate in the census are aged 18 to 29.
“College students are a transient population and thus have low response rates,” said Laura Moyer, political science assistant professor.
Age is the demographic most strongly associated with participation, the survey said. The median age for those not likely to participate is 31 while the median age for those likely to participate is 47.
The second-strongest predictor is education. The probability of not participating is 5 percent for those with a college education and 11 percent for those with a high school education, according to the survey.
“I heard about the census a good bit, but not about where to go to fill it out,” said Rory Green, economics sophomore.
Blair Naquin, human resources management senior, said she filled out the census at her home in Baton Rouge because she was unsure where to complete it in the dorms.
Home ownership might also play a role in willingness to complete the count.
Sixty percent of those uncertain about participation are renters or have another arrangement, such as living in a dorm, according to the survey.
“I thought they would bring it to the dorm or tell us where it would be,” said Jeb Barr, English literature junior. “Had I been informed, I would have been happy to fill it out.”
The survey found participants had a variety of attitudes about the census.
Twenty-one percent of those who might not participate think it’s not important for the United States. Eighty-four percent of those who plan to participate think it is a civic responsibility.
The Pew group also studied variables such as gender, political party and income but found they made no significant impact on predicting participation.
The repreCENSUS campaign promoted census awareness on campus throughout the month of February.
RepreCENSUS was comprised of five mass communication students participating in the national Bateman competition held by the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Contact Grace Montgomery at [email protected]