U.S. Census workers will be coming to various Somerset County neighborhoods through June to conduct an address-canvassing operation in preparation for the 2010 Census.

“We want our residents to be aware that they may see these canvassers on their streets,” said Freeholder Director Rick Fontana. “These workers will have identifying badges, and many also will carry U.S. Census Bureau bags, which will make them easier to identify.”

This workforce will walk or drive through neighborhoods to check that all addresses are in the U.S. Census database when the questionnaire is delivered in March 2010. This early operation is vital to ensuring a complete and accurate count.

These workers will not be asking for personal information from residents. All information collected by address canvassers and other Census employees is kept strictly confidential and cannot be shared with any other persons, institutions or agencies.

The address-canvassing operation occurs as much as a year ahead of the official Census Day on April 1, 2010. This is the first large field operation for the 2010 Census. It is designed to identify all housing units and other living quarters.

Canvassers will use hand-held computers with maps in them to verify and list structures, including the collection of GPS coordinates for each location.

If you have questions or concerns, contact one of the two New Jersey Census offices at (201) 377-1250 or (609) 955-5840 or go to www.census.gov.