The latest numbers for the 2020 Census participation for the State of Georgia show that nearly half of Thomas County residents have not yet been counted. Because responses to the census help shape future local funding decisions, City leaders are urging citizens to participate now to ensure that hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are accurately distributed to Thomas County for important programs and services like healthcare, emergency and disaster response, education, and infrastructure for the next 10 years. This year marks the 24th time that the country has counted its population since the Census began in 1790.
“In mid-March, the United States Census mailed out detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail. To date, Thomas County has a 55 percent self-response rate which means that almost half the population of Thomas County has not yet been counted,” said Sherri Nix, City of Thomasville Public Outreach Manager. She added that Thomas County’s response rate is below the statewide rate of 58 percent and well under the 62 percent national average. “To compare, some counties in Georgia have a 69-73 percent response rate,” she said.
While many individuals are sometimes reluctant to provide their information to the Census Bureau, Nix said that the information provided is completely confidential. “It is a misconception that this information is shared with other federal, state and local agencies,” she said. “Whatever information you provide on your Census form is confidential and cannot be shared with any other organization. The Census Bureau will never ask you for your social security number, money, bank, or credit card information or what political party affiliation you support.”
An accurate census count will have a very big financial impact on our community. “In the wake of COVID-19, it will be especially important that programs such as family services, education, food assistance, and healthcare are available to those that need it,” Nix said. “Thomas County’s 2020 Census count is how the federal government will distribute funding for the next 10 years, so it is definitely something that will have a longstanding impact on our local citizens.”
Nix said that each person counted equals $2,300 in federal funds that Thomas County will receive. “If everyone fills out their forms it could mean more than $102 million for Thomas County,” she said. “In addition to federal funding, the results of the census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives and will determine how each state will be represented.” Census data is also used to redraw the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts in Georgia to account for population shifts.
“The pandemic has caused delays for census operations and shifted timelines. The good news is that if you have not yet been counted, there is still time to submit your household count,” said Nix. The deadline to send in census forms has been changed to October 31. “We encourage citizens to go ahead and respond now rather than waiting until closer to the deadline.”
Residents that are unable to submit their 2020 Census questionnaire form online or by mail may also submit their information by phone. “Residents can respond over the phone in English and twelve additional languages,” said Nix. Residents can reply by telephone at the following numbers: 844-330-2020 (English), 844-468-2020 (Spanish), and 844-467-2020 (Hearing Impaired).
According to Nix, the Census Bureau still plans to visit households across the country. “Those households that do not reply online, by phone or mail will begin receiving in-person visits by a census taker in mid-August,” said Nix. “However, due to precautionary measures, the Bureau is encouraging residents to take advantage of technology in order to submit their response without having to meet a census taker face to face.”
For more information about the 2020 U.S. Census, please visit www.2020census.gov, www.census.georgia.gov, or call the City of Thomasville at 229-227-7001.