UBCC Blog: Stand Up, Be Counted on Census Day - April 1, 2020

BY MELINDA RIZZO

Let’s debunk some Census taking myths!
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#1 It’s voluntary, so I don’t have to do this. Participation isn’t voluntary, it’s required by law. “Three out of four individuals thought it was voluntary, according to the 2020 Census Barriers, Attitudes and Motivators Study,” Bodnar said. And prompt responses save money, too. Voluntary participation costs about 47 cents. When a Census Enumerator comes knocking at the door the cost spikes to about $57, Bodnar explained.

#2 My confidential information won’t be kept confidential. Under the law Census Bureau data is only used in the aggregate – or on the context of the whole for data reporting purposes. Individual responses aren’t singled out. Because individual data is protected under the law it can’t legally be shared for any other purpose.

#3 My information will be used against me. This is a big worry for roughly 25 percent of people responding to the survey, and again it’s not true. Under Title 13, it is against the law to share any personal data collected by the Census with law enforcement or immigration officials. What’s more, Title 13 prohibits the Census Bureau from sharing an individual’s personal information with any other government agency.  Period.

The 2020 Census will be easier than ever because respondents may answer questions for the first time either online, by phone or by mail.

Did you know there’s more than $675 billion in federal funds available for distribution to states and local communities, and the Census is used to determine who gets the money.

It’s a daunting task for those doing the counting.

Conducted once every 10 years (it’s a decennial!), census taking is the federal government’s best method of accurately counting population and gathering demographic and economic data.

“UBCC will be coordinating with Census 2020 because this data guides local decision-makers and important community planning,” said Danielle Bodnar, Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce executive director. 
 
Census data helps officials track trends and forecast needs. It’s used to guide transportation, infrastructure, locations for health care facilities and hospitals, retirement and nursing care facilities, and anticipated housing growth.

That means the data is important to, and for, everyone. From local government and educators to business and entrepreneurs, housing and retail developers and those concerned with infrastructure like roadways, thoroughfares and public transportation accessibility.

What’s more, Census data helps forecasters and business owners and managers understand labor markets.

“Businesses need statistical information to make business decisions like open another shop, research to know where their customer base is, and if there is enough population that could support a new shop, etc.,” said Adela Moraux, Philadelphia Regional Census Center partnership specialist.

The number of Congressional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives is directly tied to Census population numbers, as are voting district lines.

“These things all improve our region, and they also determine boundaries for our legislative districts,” Bodnar noted.

Census numbers help public safety planners as well. Information gathered during the census helps to identify areas which are prone or may become so, during natural disasters.
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Census invitations will be arriving by mail in March.  The invitation provides details for responding.  The optimal time to answer is during March and April to avoid enumerators knocking on your door, asking you to complete the questionnaire. Operations end in September, 2020.
 
“Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce is supporting the Census of 2020 and you should, too,” Bodnar said. 
 
The optimal time to response to census questionnaires will be from February through June, 2020, with operations ending in September, 2020.
 
Those who don’t respond to outreach via phone or online will see Census enumerators at their doors beginning in May, Moraux said.
 
“Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce is supporting the Census of 2020 and you should, too,” Bodnar said. 
 
“We’ll be helping to dispel myths and share correct information with our members to ensure they know the Census Bureau protects their response,” Bodnar said.