Make It Count U.S. Census 2020
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
Did you know that the ongoing 2020 U.S. Census requires people who live in multiple places throughout the year to be counted in the U.S. Census at the address where they live most of the time.
If you split your time evenly between two or more places, you should count yourself where you were staying on April 1, 2020. However, a Census response is required from every property in the Downbeach area.
The U.S. Census Bureau has launched the interactive map to help community leaders, media, and the public track self-response to the 2020 Census. The map displays 2020 Census self-response rates as a reference point for states, counties, cities, census tracts, and various other geographies around the country.
A check of today’s U.S. Census Response Rate interactive map shows that the Downbeach communities of Ventnor, Margate and Longport lag behind statewide and Atlantic County totals for responding to this year’s Census questionnaire, either online, on paper or via the telephone.
The State of New Jersey currently has a 64.2% response rate, while Atlantic County has a 55.8% response rate. Ventnor’s rate is 38.1%, Margate’s 26.6% and Longport 22.7%.
Why are shore towns lagging? Well, it’s probably because many properties are owned by second-homeowners who live elsewhere most of the year and who may not know they should fill out the Census for every home they own.
Current response rates reflect the difference between primary and secondary home ownership in shore towns, but property owners should know that all households are to be counted, regardless of where you live.
All property owners should fill out a questionnaire for every property they own, including everyone living in the house as of April 1, even if they are staying there temporarily.
For any property you own but only use part-time, you should enter the Census ID or address of the secondary property and enter 0 for the number of people living there.
Complete instructions for filling out the Census online are contained in this flyer, census-seasonal-home
The U.S. Constitution mandates that the population of the U.S. should be counted every 10 years in an effort to compile data used to determine Congressional representation and dole out federal funding for schools, roads, bridges, transportation, public safety and social services. This year’s Census is the 24th time the population of the U.S. has been counted.
A complete and accurate count is critical for Downbeach communities in need of federal funds to improve roads, provide transportation for senior citizens, obtain funding for education and improve resiliency against storms and other natural disasters.
Questions asked include how many people live in the home, their names, sex, dates of birth, heritage or nationality, and how they are related. All answers are completely confidential.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau temporarily suspended field data collection activities, but they will soon be reactivated.
The best way to participate in the Census is online at 2020census.gov, or by calling 844-330-2020 for English, or 844-468-2020 for Spanish.
To see the interactive Census Response Rate Map, go to http://2020Census.gov/en/response-rates.html
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