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By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - Have you participated in the Census yet? Your answer directly affects the amount of state and federal funds that can be allocated to our cities and Pike County over the next 10 years including possible funds for broadband.
What Is the Census?
The US Constitution mandates that a census is taken of the population around the country every 10 years. The census is usually completed by April 1, 2020 of each year, but COVID-19 has changed the deadline to September 30.
Statistics from the Census are used to determine how many seats each state can hold in the House of Representatives, how much state and federal funds can be allotted to our area, and it also determines whether Pike County can apply for grant funds to possibly help bring broadband into our area. Our census numbers will apply for the next 10 years.
How Do I Know They’re From the Census?
The Census Bureau is contacting households by an in person visit as well as by landline and cell phone. Yes, possibly by cell phone and email.
According to Census.gov, census takers can be identified by a valid government identification badge that contains their photo, a US Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. Citizens can also confirm the identity of a census worker by calling the Atlanta regional office at 470-889-6800. Census takers began visiting households nationwide on August 9.
According to Census.gov, the Census Bureau has made a strong contact list using its own information and that purchased from a third party to contact both landlines and cell phones at residences if needed. Phone calls will be made when in person contacts have failed. If a voicemail is available, the census take will leave a message to call the Census Bureau call center.
The Census Bureau also announced on Census.gov that it has begun to email households in low-response areas as well.
The Census Bureau will also continue to send census takers to public places like libraries and other public venues in order to encourage citizens to complete the 2020 Census.
How Is Pike County Looking?
As of July 26, 2020, the response rate for the state of Georgia was 58.3%. So far, Pike County’s rate of self-response for this census is 63.8%. Pike County is ranked 17 out of 159 counties at this time. These responses include filling out a paper copy, filling out on the internet, or calling by telephone. As of July 26, 2020, Concord is 63.1%. Meansville is 38.9%, Molena is 57.2%, Williamson is 49.8%, and Zebulon is 50.3%.
UPDATE 9.21.20: As of September 21, 2020, the response rate for the state of Georgia was 61.5%. The national rate is 66%. So far, Pike County’s rate of self-response for this census is 67.6%. Pike County is ranked 16 out of 159 counties at this time. These responses include filling out a paper copy, filling out on the internet, or calling by telephone. As of September 21, 2020, Concord is 67.5%. Meansville is 43.5%, Molena is 61.3%, Williamson is 55.0%, and Zebulon is 55.0%. [END OF UPDATE
In 2010, the response rates for each city were as follows: Concord was 42.8%, Meansville was 57%, Molena is 54.5%, Williamson was 50.5%, and Zebulon was 40.8%. The final, total, self-response rate for 2010 was 58.8%.
[Note from the Editor: For those who are concerned about privacy, you can fill out the form and only list how many people are in your household. Simply fill out that portion of the census and click enter until it moves to the next question. Ask me how I know.]
Closing
The census can be completed online at www.2020census.gov or by phone at 1.844.330.2020. The deadline is September 30.