As of October 13, 2020 well over 99.9% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census. Self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude on October 15, 2020.
Specifically:
Internet self-response will be available across the nation through October 15, 2020 until 11:59 pm Hawaii Standard Time (HST), (6:00 am Eastern Daylight Time on October 16, 2020). Visit 2020Census.gov to respond today.
Phone response will be available for its regularly scheduled time on October 15, 2020. Click here for a schedule and a list of numbers.
Paper responses must be postmarked by October 15, 2020.
Nonresponse Follow-up census takers will continue resolving nonresponding addresses through the end of the day on October 15, 2020.
The U.S. Census Bureau is currently updating 2020Census.gov, Census.gov, as well as all external and internal guidance to reflect the schedule update. So if you still need to get counted, you have a couple more days.
Residents of Census Tract 226.02 (area shaded blue) should still stop by the info tent between 5-8 p.m. during Fab Friday in Decatur to claim their prize for being the tract with the greatest percentage increase during the City Commissioner’s Census Tract Challenge back in September. 300 t-shirts are available so it’s first come, first served.
The deadline to complete and return your household’s 2020 Census form has been extended until October 31. By responding to the 2020 Census each resident ensures that Georgians receive their appropriate share of over $675 billion in federal aid that is distributed to state and local governments using census numbers every year. These monies support a host of projects that are instrumental in keeping us safe and improving our quality of life right here at home. Census data is also used for federal, state, and local funding distributions, intergovernmental agreements drawing state and federal legislative districts, school districts, and congressional reapportionment.
If you have not already submitted your information, here are the ways to get counted:
1. Enter your information online at My 2020 Census (You don’t have to know your Census ID number to complete the form and languages other than English are available.)
2. Call the 2020 Census hotline at 844-330-2020 (Languages other than English are available.)
3. Return the paper form you received in the mail back in October 31st.
4. Stop by the City’s information tent on Friday, October 16th from 5pm to 8pm during the FAB Friday event on the Decatur Square to complete the form on a mobile device.
Speaking of FAB Friday, residents of Census Tract 226.02 (area shaded blue) should stop by the info tent to claim their prize for being the tract with the greatest percentage increase during the City Commissioner’s Census Tract Challenge back in September. 300 t-shirts are available so it’s first come, first served.
There is still time to submit your response to the US Census Bureau to be counted in the 2020 Census. Between now and next Wednesday, September 30, complete your household’s form by going to https://my2020census.gov/, calling 844-330-2020 or mailing in your form.
Don’t forget we are in a city to city challenge with Avondale Estates. Avondale Estates currently has a self-response rate of 74.9%. We currently stand at 74.2%. If we lose, the City Commissioners will have to sport Avondale Estates logo wear and we’ll have to hang a banner on Decatur City Hall announcing that Avondale Estates is better. I doubt anyone wants to see that happen. Help us with a come from behind win!
Well it looks like a rumble folks! Maybe even a skirmish! A “friendly competition” you ask? Yesterday Mayor Patti Garrett of Decatur and Mayor Jonathan Elmore of Avondale Estates met at the border and things did not go well. In a heated exchange they were heard criticizing each other’s noise ordinances and threatening to arm wrestle over public art. But the real point of contention was about who would have a higher response rate in the 2020 Census. So here today at this hour the challenge is being levied by the City of Decatur to its neighbor of Avondale Estates – try your best to beat our response rate by the end of the counting period on 9/30/2020. This one’s worth fighting for!
Our two fine DeKalb County gem cities are neck in neck right now with their census response rates (Decatur = 74.1% and Avondale Estates = 74.6%). Does Avondale Estates “have the right stuff” to best its longtime friend and neighbor, the City of Decatur? That’s the question on the table, dear residents, and we know who’s ready to be counted! Much is at stake and iron sharpens iron.
What do we win?
Here’s the deal, every person counts! By responding to the census each resident ensures that Georgians receive their appropriate share of over $675 billion in federal aid that is distributed to state and local governments using Census numbers every year. These monies support a host of projects that are instrumental in keeping us safe and improving our quality of life right here at home. Census data is also used for federal, state, and local funding distributions, intergovernmental agreements drawing state and federal legislative districts, school districts, and congressional reapportionment. As a result of the 2010 population count, Georgia gained a congressional seat. The 2010 Census yielded a count of 9,687,653 people in Georgia and provided the state with $15.88 billion. Each Georgian that participated in the 2010 Census effectively brought $1,639.10 to the state.
What do we really win?
Decatur will certainly win some bragging rights first and foremost. The details of the championship prize(s) are being worked out now. Ideas are welcome! If they lose should Avondale Estates have to brew a craft beer and name it after us – a 30030 IPA? Or if Decatur loses we may have to hang a large banner at City Hall congratulating Avondale Estates and our mayor will have to post on social media a top 10 list of her favorite things about their city. Let’s not make her do that!
Let’s get started!
Here’s how we win this thing and also meet our stretch goal for the 2020 Census!
1. Visit 2020census.gov to find out everything you need to know and to respond for your household 2. Visit https://countallkids.org/fixing-an-incorrect-census-submission/ if you need instructions on how to make changes to the response you already submitted
3. Share the link widely through your network via any social media channels you use
4. Place a sign in your yard to alert neighbors to the Census count
5. Visit www.decaturga.com/census find out more and help us super charge the census count the City of Decatur
The City’s sanitation trucks are sporting a new look in support of the 2020 Census. Oscar the Grouch and the City of Decatur encourage all residents to complete their census forms by September 30, 2020.
Responding to the Census is critical to the City (as well as DeKalb County and the State of Georgia) because the results help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into the community every year for the next ten years. So take 10 or so minutes to complete and mail back the paper form you received in March, enter your information online at My 2020 Census or call the Census hotline at 844-330-2020.
Today (August 20) is the final day to participate in the Commissioner’s Census Tract Challenge. If you have not responded to the 2020 Census yet, you still have time to help your census tract increase its response rate. The census tract with the greatest increase in response rate for the period of July 20 through August 20 will be eligible to receive a t-shirt or other swag.
Want to check on your tract’s progress? Then check out the City’s GIS portal called Decatur OneMap and add the “Census” layer to the map. As of Wednesday, Tract 226.02 was in the lead but there is still time for the others to catch up or pass Tract 226.02.
Even if you cannot respond by today, you have until September 30th to be counted.
Responding to the 2020 Census is simple and quick. It will only take about 10 minutes of your time. Use a computer, smartphone or tablet and go to My 2020 Census to complete your form. Or you may call 844-330-2020. Several languages are available. Count everyone in your household. By completing the 2020 Census you will help determine how Decatur will grow and thrive over the next ten years.
If you have not responded to the 2020 Census yet, you may receive a visit from a Census taker. Here’s how to identify a Census taker:
Time of Day – Census takers will begin home visits on August 11th between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
ID Badge – Ask for official Census Bureau Identification
Vehicle Identification – An “Official Business” notice will be placed on the vehicle
Smart Device – Census takers will carry an iPhone to record information
Laptop Bag – Census takers will carry a laptop bag to hold necessary materials
Wear a Mask – Census takers are required to wear a mask and maintain 6 feet social distancing
An official Census taker will never ask for: your Social Security number, bank account of credit card numbers, anything on behalf of a political party or for money or donation.
If you would like to avoid an in-person visit, take the Census by phone at 844-330-2020 or online.
As of August 4th, the City’s self-response response rate to the 2020 Census has increased to 72%. We are now ranked 14th in the State, a drop of 5 spots since April. Our goal as a community is to reach 90%.
Responding to the Census is critical to the City (as well as DeKalb County and the State of Georgia) because the results help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into the community every year for the next ten years.
In the next few weeks, you may see Census workers out and about in the City, trying to connect with households that have yet to respond. If you are not interested in receiving a visit from a Census employee, take 10 minutes or so to complete & mail back the paper form you received in March, enter your information online at https://my2020census.gov/ or call the Census hotline at 844-330-2020.
And as the Census Bureau just announced that it will be ending the self-response process as well as its field data collection process on September 30, 2020 instead of on October 31, 2020, it’s now more important than ever to send in your information because Every. One. Counts.
