Low Census Response Rate Comes with Big Consequences for Alabama

Why it Matters

One of the biggest questions asked every decade when the Census comes up is: why does it matter? This is a great question, and I understand why it gets asked so often. So, I want to give you a few different answers that are grounded in facts.

• Federal Funds: It is estimated that per 100 people not counted in the Census, roughly $1.2 million dollars of federal funding is lost for your community. Here are just a few of the many items that would have funding severely cut due to a lack of Census responses: Schools, roads, hospitals, block grants, vocational education, and fire departments. These are all crucial aspects of living in a community, and they are all at risk of funding decreases.
• Jobs: Census numbers are used by both public and private organizations to determine where to build and bring business. This means that employment opportunities and economic development are at stake when it comes to the Census. This aspect is often overlooked, but it may just be the most consequential of them all.  
• Representation in Congress: You probably know this one already, but Congressional districts are based on population. This means that the more people that are counted in your state the more representation your state has in the House of Representatives. For Alabama, we are in danger of losing a Congressional seat, so our count this year matters a great deal.  
• Civil Rights: As a matter of fact, certain programs based around civil rights issues are directly correlated to the Census. Things like compliance with the National Voting Rights Act of 1965, housing, employment, and education anti-discrimination laws are monitored and enforced using the population count from the Census.

How to Complete Your Census

The best news about the Census is that it is easier than ever to fill out! All you have to do is go to https://my2020census.gov/ and follow the instructions on screen, or you can call 844-330-2020. I would encourage you all to fill yours out today and make Alabama count for the next decade! If you have already completed your Census, please tell your friends and family to fills theirs out and spread the word.​​​​​​​

Census Fun Facts

• Did you know the Census first started in 1790 and was conducted by Thomas Jefferson?
• The total count for the country back in 1790 was a mere 3,929,214, compared to roughly 328 million today.
• From 1790 to 1879, the Census was counted by Federal Marshals going door-to-door across the country. Back then they would show up to your house on horseback and fill out the numbers on parchment or animal skin. Although this sounds pretty cool to me, I am sure glad we can do it on our phones now.
• The Census started out with only 6 questions, then rose to 34 in 1920, but has settled back down to an even 10 the past couple decades.