I wasn't that familiar with this aspect of the Census:
"Starting soon the U.S. Census Bureau will begin posting the results of the 2012 Census of Governments. That effort occurs every five years. And as I have the previous three times it was undertaken, I intend to download and compile this information for state and local governments in New York City, the rest of New York State, and related areas. Because I believe it is important that this information be made available in a way that makes fair and relevant comparisons between places possible." http://www.r8ny.com/blog/larry....._some_knowledge.html

I find this paragraph of the guy's blog interesting, as it relates to Schenectady:
"As I have noted in the past, without place-to-place comparisons on state and local taxes, expenditures by category, public employment by category, and debts, those concerned with state and local policy are always comparing this year’s spending and taxes with last year’s spending and taxes, for New York City and State in isolation. That’s a comparison with an ideology – the winners and losers in New York’s governmental priorities should be fixed in place forever. Comparisons with other places, and with the national average, provide an alternative viewpoint. Just because it’s the national average does not make it right, because different places have different needs and characteristics. But large differences, in either direction, should be explained and justified rather than just continued by the divine right of those who come out ahead."
I like the part about "divine right". That's how it is, here in Schenectady, people are brainwashed, they will go down to city hall, pay their high taxes, taxes that just went up, then there will be an article in the paper, about how a local NFP is losing money, yet, none of the connected souls working there have to tighten their belts in any way, and none will be let go for not performing well, and they will not question that we should keep on paying more and more for services we do not receive, because we "have to" support such gluttony because it is "good for" Schenectady.
I like this part, too:
"Having worked in the public sector, I think I know another reason why this sort of data doesn’t get compiled and put out there in a comprehensive way. It has the potential to raise questions, and those in charge don’t want the serfs asking questions."
I would offer to help this guy, but he's apparently pretty smart and I don't think I'd be much help.

stats such as the census are used no differently than how a rancher does a census of their own cattle/sheep etc......

the census is a snap shot of the current cast system and depending on how it's 'promoted' will determine the next miles of
'rail' laid....