Census 2020’s Final Push to Ensure Every Californian Is Counted
Aug 11, 2020
Census takers are knocking on doors beginning Aug. 11 in communities throughout our state to ensure no person goes uncounted. There are less than two months left for this once in a decade effort that secures billions in funding for programs and infrastructure and secures federal representation in Congress.
The California Complete Count effort, the statewide campaign to reach those most likely to be overlooked and undercounted, is on target to meet its goal. Over two million hard to count households have responded, and over 9.7 million total households in California have taken the Census. California is outpacing other large states such a Florida, New York and Texas, with statewide response rates, and is the leader in states with large foreign-born populations.
Cities have been great partners in the statewide effort, especially on reaching the hardest to count individuals. In fact, over 100 cities have met or exceeded their 2010 Self-Response Rates already. And while statewide response rates are outpacing the nation, there are still areas that are falling below. More affluent communities are falling behind with low-response rates compared to the 2010 Census. Self-response rates are available through the interactive map, or on the League’s Hot Issues webpage at www.cacities.org/2020census. It’s vital all households respond and take action today.
Local governments are stepping up to engage on the Census, despite the challenge of creating community momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. City innovation went high-tech with online and social media events and low-tech, with back to basics approaches like lawn signs, car caravans and info posters where people receive essential services.
Cities are encouraged to continue their efforts in the final push. It’s not too late for California to be counted.
What people need to know
The California Complete Count effort, the statewide campaign to reach those most likely to be overlooked and undercounted, is on target to meet its goal. Over two million hard to count households have responded, and over 9.7 million total households in California have taken the Census. California is outpacing other large states such a Florida, New York and Texas, with statewide response rates, and is the leader in states with large foreign-born populations.
Cities have been great partners in the statewide effort, especially on reaching the hardest to count individuals. In fact, over 100 cities have met or exceeded their 2010 Self-Response Rates already. And while statewide response rates are outpacing the nation, there are still areas that are falling below. More affluent communities are falling behind with low-response rates compared to the 2010 Census. Self-response rates are available through the interactive map, or on the League’s Hot Issues webpage at www.cacities.org/2020census. It’s vital all households respond and take action today.
Local governments are stepping up to engage on the Census, despite the challenge of creating community momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. City innovation went high-tech with online and social media events and low-tech, with back to basics approaches like lawn signs, car caravans and info posters where people receive essential services.
Cities are encouraged to continue their efforts in the final push. It’s not too late for California to be counted.
What people need to know
- It’s not too late to respond to the Census! You can respond online, by phone at (844) 330-2020 or by mail. Check out www.my2020census.gov
- The Census counts everyone living in the United States, regardless of their background or immigration status. It’s a simple and confidential nine question survey. Questions include your name, address, sex, race, and age.
- Responses to the Census are protected by law and cannot be shared with, or used by, any other government agencies. Answers cannot be used for law enforcement purposes or to determine eligibility for government benefits or immigration enforcement.
- For those worried about the latest actions by the Federal Administration, please remember that there is no citizenship question. Also, Census data is not used to determine eligibility for any public programs.
- Tag and follow @cacensus. Use the hashtags #EveryoneCounts #CaliforniaCounts #2020Census
- Post messages and links to city websites and newsletters