Census Count Ends Soon - Encourage Others to Respond!

There now fewer than six weeks left to complete the 2020 Census! September 30 is the last day for both self-response and door-to-door visitation from enumerators, but it's not too late! The US Census Bureau needs everyone to make a final push over the next six weeks to ensure West Virginia gets a complete and accurate count. As a state, we have a current self-response rate (SRR) of 55%. That's almost half of our state-wide population that has not been counted yet - over 800,000 uncounted residents. 

In Ohio County, we are currently at a 62.6% That means more than 1/3 of Ohio County residents have yet to be counted. Think about that - if you are at the grocery store and there are two other people in the aisle, chances are one of the three of you has not been counted. If there are 60 customers in the store, there's a good chance 20 of them haven't been counted. Ohio County has a population of over 41,000 residents. That means there are over 15,000 residents in our county alone that have not been counted in the 2020 Census yet.

As for our border states, Ohio is currently ranked 10 in the nation for self-response rate at 67.7% and Pennsylvania ranked 17th at 66.4%. West Virginia ranks at 48th with one of the lowest response rates in the nation. 

A look at how we shape up locally in the Northern Panhandle

The table below reflects 2020 Census data through August 10:

*Indicates a county has surpassed its 2010 self-response rate (SRR). 

Census results shape the future of communities, as census data informs how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed for health clinics, school lunch programs, disaster recovery initiatives, and other critical programs and services for the next 10 years.

Wondering how you can help?

With one in three people in Ohio County and nearly one of every two people in the state having not been counted, yet, there's a good chance you know someone or some family that hasn't been counted yet. Engage and encourage the people around you to participate in the 2020 Census. Explain to your friends, family, and co-workers why it’s important for you and everyone in our community to respond. Challenge people to respond with a post on social media (Right click on and save one of the images below to share online). Mainly, spread the word.

And please encourage those both those that have and have not self-responded to be receptive of door-to-door visitation from enumerators.* The Census takers are often circling back doing "quality control” questionnaires. They are either confirming the responses provided online, over the phone, or even following up on a previous in-person visit. They also may be confirming that the occupants have been counted as members of a different or out-of-state household. If a Census worker has attempted to visit a home left a notification that a Census representative has attempted contact, please encourage a member of that household to call the 1-800 number provided or login online and provide the number left on the notification.

Let everyone know there's no reason not to respond. All responses to the census questionnaire are kept anonymous and they are used only to produce statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies.

Your help matters.

More people responding to the census means more opportunities to shape the future of your town, city, or state – and the country. The census shapes many aspects of our community. Getting a complete and accurate count in 2020 requires everyone's help. Spread the word about the 2020 Census and why it is important to participate. 

Now Is the Time to Respond

Households still have six weeks to respond online at 2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or by mail. The questionnaire is only 9 questions long and takes just minutes to complete. It's safe, secure, and confidential. Wednesday, September 30 is the last day for both self-response and door-to-door visitation from enumerators. 

For households with foreign-language speakers,  options are available to respond online or by phone in many languages. Learn more at http://2020census.gov/languages.

*Note: Some households that have already responded may still get a call or visit from a census taker conducting quality checks. Download a pdf with information about the 2020 Census Taker Visits. For more information on the 2020 Census, FAQs, and information about it affects our community, visit ohiocountylibrary.org/census.