September 30th is the final day of the 2020 Census Count and Georgia currently has one of the lowest “enumeration” or “response” rates (as % of housing units) in the country. An estimated 7.7% of Georgia households still remain uncounted (US Census Bureau).
So, what is at stake?
Money: $1.5 trillion per year in federal funding goes to Medicare, Medicaid, schools, roads, emergency response services, and other state and local programs and initiatives. Census demographic data also guides targeted funding and initiatives at the local level.
Political Representation: Over the next 10 years, 2020 Census data will determine States’ Congressional seats and Electoral College votes, and will guide redrawing of voting districts, among other political implications.
It is essential local communities help make the final push toward a complete count. Resources are available through your local Census representatives, as well as the State Complete Count Committee. Contact Eva Kennedy if you need help connecting to those resources. Response rate data by state as well as follow-up completion rates and county-level self-response rate data is available through the US Census Bureau’s Response Rates webpage.
