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Population inquiries 2-8 were asked for all persons. The remaining questions were asked on a sample basis: some at every fifth household (15 percent), others at every twentieth household (5 percent), and some at both (20 percent).
Except for questions on Spanish origin or descent, citizenship, year of immigration, vocational training completed, presence and duration of disability, and activity 5 years ago, the 1970 population items were comparable to those in 1960.
All answers were designed for self-identification on the part of the respondent, but the enumerator was allowed to fill in blanks by observation when this was possible. For item 4 (color or race), it was assumed that the respondent’s relatives living in the unit were also of the same race unless the census taker learned otherwise. The enumerator’s manual included a long list of possible written-in entries and how they were to be classified: For example, ‘‘Chicano,’’ ‘‘LaRaza,’’ ‘‘Mexican American,’’ ‘‘Moslem,’’ or ‘‘Brown’’ were to be changed to White, while ‘‘Brown (Negro)’’ would be considered as Negro or Black for census purposes.
Although not specified on the questionnaire, the enumerator was instructed to limit question 25 (children ever born) to mothers who were or had been married unless a son or daughter had been listed.
The housing items were part of the household questionnaire. Except for the elimination of the inquiries on condition and land used for farming, and the addition of items on dishwashers and second homes, the 1970 housing items were much the same as those used in 1960.
The 1970 definition of a housing unit specified ‘‘complete kitchen facilities’’ rather than just cooking equipment as in 1960.
Question A and H1 through H12 were asked for all housing units, and H13 through H30 on a sample basis only. At vacant units, the enumerator completed only those items marked with a double underscore.
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QUESTIONNAIRE
Decennial Census Questionnaires & InstructionsTop