At the start of each decade, volunteers with the U.S. Census walk door-to-door from coast-to-coast to help count every living person in the United States.
This year, the home visits are postponed, but it's more important than ever that all Mid-Southerners participate.
Post-pandemic, census data will play a big part in what relief efforts look like.
"The Census is important because it helps make sure your community gets the money, representation, and resources it needs," said Dominique DeFreece, special projects coordinator with The Urban Child Institute and one of the people helping to coordinate local census efforts.
Data collected in the census helps make decisions for governments, businesses, nonprofits, and philanthropies.
"Local government might use the data to determine which neighborhood should get a new school. A local business might use the data to see if they should invest in a neighborhood by building a new grocery store," said Dominique DeFreece, special projects coordinator with The Urban Child Institute.
Federal programs like Medicaid, housing vouchers, and school breakfasts use census data to guide spending. DeFreece noted that the data is used to allocated trillions of dollars in federal dollars to the states.
It's also used for governmental districting. Census numbers can increase or decrease a state's number of congressional seats, the number of district representatives in a county, and the number of electoral votes.
"On a local level, the city and county will most likely use census data for any redistricting plans for commission and council seats. The data is also used by policy makers when they consider where they should renovate or build a new hospital, school, park, or fire house," said DeFreece.
Luckily, it's easy to be counted while staying 'safer at home.'
Heads of households can complete the 2020 U.S. Census online, over the phone, and by mail. Click here to fill the census out online and for more information. Call 1-844-330-2020 to respond by phone.
Only one person per household can submit a response for that address, but families can fill the census out together. It's a great opportunity to teach kids how data translates to dollars spent on public infrastructure, schools, transportation, healthcare, arts and culture, and more.
Kids and adults can learn more at 901 Counts. The 2020 Census response rate map is another great tool. It can compare Memphis-area response rates to communities across the country, as well as compare current response rates to rates in 2010.
Safety Concerns
Census Day, the day census numerators visit homes, is typically April 1. With the current pandemic, the deadline has been pushed to August 14.
Numerator visits have been suspended until April 15, but there's a good chance they will be delayed further. Still, they are likely to be deployed at some point before August 14 to collected information on any households that haven't already self-reported. Self-reporting takes the guess work out of participation and ensures no one comes to your house before you're ready to have guests.
"If you don’t want someone to knock on your door, self-respond," said DeFreece.
When asked if it was safe for everyone to participate in the census and if data would be kept confidential, DeFreece said yes.
She said census data is shared in aggregate, meaning individual household responses can't be isolated. She also cited the 72-year rule.
"This rule states that the identifiable data the Census collects—name, demographics, where you live—cannot be shared publicly for 72 years," she said. "Sharing this information has strict penalties that include fines and prison sentences."
DeFreece also noted that there are laws in place ensuring census responses cannot be used against a person in any court or government agency, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
There is no citizenship question on the census and it does not ask for a social security number.
For coronavirus related census updates, click here.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.