The U.S Census Bureau has mailed out invitations for residents to participate in Census 2020 and be counted. According to Granville County Government’s Addressing Coordinator Sandy Woody, approximately 17 percent of Granville County residents have already responded in one of three ways: online, by phone or by mail.
“It only takes a few minutes to complete the survey,” Woody says. “It’s fast, it’s convenient and it’s important to meet the needs of our county.”
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, Census taking will continue with the following adjustments:
- Online self responses will be accepted through Aug. 14, instead of July 31;
- The count of those experiencing homelessness has been postponed from March 30, March 31 and April 1 to April 29, April 30 and May 1;
- Regular non-response follow-up, which was to begin on May 13, will now begin no earlier than May 28.
Field operations will also be suspended until April 1. This step is being taken, as explained in a recent announcement by the Census Bureau, to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees and those going through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions.
In late-May, census takers around the nation will begin visiting households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census to help complete the count. Further adjustments may be made as necessary to follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities. Completing Census forms quickly, the Bureau explains, is the best way to make sure a Census worker does not visit your home.
To eliminate possible exposure, the public is strongly encouraged to respond to the 2020 Census online at 2020Census.gov by using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Respondents can also participate by calling the number provided in their survey packet, or by mail once they have received a paper form.
The online 2020 Census Response Rate Tracker has been updated with the first report of response data. The tracker is available online at https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html and will be refreshed on a regular basis.
For more details about the 2020 surveys, please visit www.Census.gov.