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.
If you have already completed the census only to realize you left off your baby, young child, or someone else living in your household on April 1st, you can correct your census submission. The Census Bureau along with its partner Count All Kids offer guidance on how to make corrections on forms that have already been submitted.
If you feel you have made a mistake, you can return to the online questionnaire and resubmit your information. The Census Bureau has procedures in place to resolve duplicate submissions. If you’ve already responded using your Census ID, select the link that reads “If you do not have a Census ID, click here” to submit a corrected response for your address. Be sure to respond for everyone who was living at your address on April 1.
If you need to make a correction to a response on your paper questionnaire, carefully draw a line through the incorrect entry. Then, write the correct information as close as possible to what you crossed out. If you checked the wrong box, just draw a line through it and mark the correct box for the question.
You cannot make changes to your questionnaire once you have mailed it back. If you have serious concerns about your response, you can complete the questionnaire again online.
As of July 19th, the City of Decatur’s 2020 Census response rate overall is 71.2%. The City Commission set a goal of 90% so we have a ways to go before we reach our goal.
The City is comprised of nine census tracts, each with its own response rate. In an effort to help us reach our citywide goal, the City Commission will be hosting a census tract challenge during July and August with a focus on seven of the tracts. Residents in the census tract with the largest increase in response rate will be eligible to receive a prize in September. Details coming soon.
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 my2020census.gov 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.
Here’s a map of the census tracts and the current response rates. Each has been assigned to a member of the Decatur City Commission. The winning City Commissioner will receive bragging rights for the next decade.
Want to keep track of your tract’s progress from now until August 20? There are two ways.
The Decatur City Commission encourages the community to complete the 2020 Census. As of Saturday, May 16, the Decatur response rate was 68.7%. Help us reach our goal of a 90% response rate.
