Census Day: Use time at home to help shape the future of the community

Today is Census Day, the day that determines who is counted in the 2020 Census and where they are counted.

The population count is used to inform how hundreds of billions of dollars are allocated for public services and infrastructure like hospitals, emergency services, schools and bridges each year over the next 10 years. Census statistics are also used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs legislative district boundaries. Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and is key to shaping the future of communities.

The current response rate to the 2020 Census from area counties:

El Dorado County - 32.5 percent
Alpine County - 7.2 percent
Placer County - 39.9 percent
Washoe County - 38.4 percent
Douglas County - 36.5 percent

South Lake Tahoe residents have been very slow to respond and only 14.8 percent have completed the census. In the 2010 census, South Lake Tahoe was a very low response area. Funding and government representation will reflect on these figures so the importance of completing the census is important.

In California, 35.7 percent have responded to the 2020 Census. This is compared to 25.2 percent in Butte County, 12.4 percent in Plumas, 33.5 percent in Fresno, 17 percent in Calaveras, 3.2% in Sierra and 40.4% in Sacramento County. Response rates are updated in the map daily seven days a week so that the public can see how well their community is doing compared to the nation and other areas.

Fill out census here - https://2020census.gov/en

The Census Bureau is strongly encouraging the public to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. The response can be made online or by phone in English or 12 other languages. There are also 59 non-English language guides and videos (plus American Sign Language) available on 2020census.gov ensuring over 99 percent of U.S. households can respond online in their preferred language. It has never been easier to respond on your own — all without having to meet a census taker. This is really important with the current health and safety guidance being provided by national, state and local health authorities.

When you respond:

Respond for where you live as of April 1 (Census Day).

Include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home as of April 1, even if they are staying somewhere else temporarily. This includes relatives, friends, roommates and anyone else who lives and sleeps in your home most of the time — even children under age five and babies born on or before April 1, even if they are still in the hospital.

Count college students where they live while attending school. If they live on campus in university/college housing such as dorms or fraternity/sorority houses, they will be counted by school officials and do not need to respond. However, if they live off-campus in private housing or apartments, they should respond to the census on their own using their off-campus address even if they are currently staying elsewhere.

Find additional answers about “Who to Count” at 2020census.gov.

Some households — in areas less likely to respond online — have already received a paper questionnaire along with their first invitation. Households that have not responded online or by phone will receive a paper questionnaire April 8-16.

Please note: Based on continuing assessments of guidance from federal, state and local health authorities, the Census Bureau is suspending 2020 Census field operations for two additional weeks to April 15, 2020. The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone who will go through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions. The Census Bureau continues to evaluate all 2020 Census field operations, and will communicate any further updates as soon as possible.

The 2020 Census is open for self-response online at 2020Census.gov, over the phone by calling the number provided in your invitation, and by paper through the mail.