Why do census workers use hand-held computers?
To help ensure the accuracy of the census and improve its efficiency, the Census Bureau has moved away from using pencil and paper to update its address lists and maps. Now, census workers will update the information electronically, using hand-held computers and coordinates from the Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS coordinates will be added to each residential structure to make sure it’s recorded within the correct city, county or other geographic unit — which is particularly important when lines for Congressional and state legislature districts are redrawn.
