Census: Snowbirds slip through cracks on Owatonna

OWATONNA — When snow starts to fly, many Steele County residents also fly the coop and take off to wait out the cold Minnesota winters somewhere warmer. However, it’s those residents that Census 2010 counters don’t want to miscount.

Anne Pleskonko, SeniorPlace director, said there is certainly a good number of “snowbirds” — those that head to warmer climate for the winter and return to their residences during moderate seasons — who are from the Owatonna area.

Beginning in March, the U.S. Census Bureau will mail out questionnaires to regular mailing addresses. However, the Census Bureau has instructed the U.S. Post Office not to forward the questionnaires, which means snowbirds will receive a questionnaire at their winter residences but a questionnaire may not be waiting for them in Minnesota.

“Questionnaires are sent to an address, not a person,” said Barbara Ronningen, demographer with the 2010 census.

Ronningen and other census workers are asking the snowbirds still make the effort to be counted in Minnesota by stopping in to city hall and asking for a new questionnaire.

Be Counted Assistance Centers will be set up in cities around the state to provide questionnaires and help answer census questions in 2010. Ronningen said she expects a Be Counted office will be set up in Owatonna, but all information can be provided through each city hall office after the turn of the year.

“If they respond to the census form they receive at their winter ‘snowbird’ address, they will be counted as a resident of that state, not Minnesota. If even a fraction of Minnesotans miss this opportunity, we could easily be left with only seven representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives,” said State Demographer Tom Gillaspy.

The State Demographic Center has estimated that a difference in just 3,000 people are needed for Minnesota to retain its eight congressional districts.

Ronningen said that is about one person per township.

“We need a number that is 3,000 greater than the current estimate to retain those eight seats,” Ronningen said. “We’re growing, but we’re not growing as fast as other states.”

Populations also determine federal funding, such as amounts given out for education and transportation.

Ronningen said some snowbirds do spend the majority of the year in states such as Arizona or Florida, common retreats for snowbirds. If snowbirds feel they are more of a resident of that state, they should fill out the questionnaire there. Otherwise, they should wait until their return to Minnesota and be counted in the state they consider home.

“We really want to make sure those numbers know what they need to do,” Ronningen said.

Wendy Reuer can be reached at 444-1565.

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