By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Local and state officials are pushing the importance of the Census, even as the nation struggles to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
In fact, officials say the pandemic demonstrates the importance of the Census, because the emergency funding Missouri receives is based on population data.
St. Joseph Interim City Planner Patrick Ruiz says response to the Census is lagging with just a 36% response rate nationally, 38% statewide, and slightly under 38% in Buchanan County as this week started.
“So, right now, the state and the county are doing better nationally, but we still have a lot of people to respond and get those results as accurate as possible,” Ruiz tells St. Joseph Post.
Residents can take the census online. Or, if they prefer, they can call or mail in a form. If there is no response, census takers will visit homes in an effort to complete the count.
“The Census takers will interview households in person that have not responded online or by phone or by mail and this will occur May 28th through August 14th.”
A lot rides on the Census count. The federal government uses the numbers to distribute money from several federal programs, including disaster assistance. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson emphasized its importance this week, saying response to the 2020 Census is more important than ever, pointing out federal aid to respond to COVID-19 is being distributed for the most part according to population.
Ruiz says an accurate census count ensures Missouri gets the federal disaster assistance it deserves.
“I feel like this is very important for the city, the county, and the state to get these accurate so we know where the allocated funds can go to each government appropriately,” Ruiz says.
Also, representation in Congress is based on each state’s population. Membership in the United States House will be apportioned according to the 2020 Census count.
Though the COVID-19 response has thrown the census a curve, it also could end up being beneficial, according to Ruiz.
“I feel like this is a great opportunity to get this done, though, since we should be social distancing and we have a lot of time on our hands so we can respond to it online.”
Ruiz urges residents to complete the census online. He says residents don’t even have to have the 12-digit code sent in the mail to complete the form at the 2020 Census website, My2020Census.gov.