Every person in the United States has an opportunity to shape the future of their community and be a part of history by replying to the 2020 Census. The Census is only taken every ten years, and the information collected will determine the number of resources available to a community.
“Once every ten years, we all get the opportunity to reset on the resources we need for our families, communities, cities, counties and state,” explained Marilyn Stephens, assistant regional Census manager for the Atlanta Region of the United States, which includes Mississippi. “By not participating in the Census, you’re really cheating yourself, your family, and your community of its fair share. More than $675 billion in federal resources are allocated annually, and in those funding formulas the baseline is dependent on population statistics.”
Stephens added, “When people are not counted, then our schools are short-changed. Funding for roads and highways and the planning of those roads and highways are short-changed. Affordable housing is short-changed. Rural hospitals and community health clinics, Medicare, and other health care services are short-changed. Services for seniors such as Meals on Wheels are short-changed, and services for veterans. There are more than 140 programs that communities depend on.”
Stephens said that Mississippi’s response rate is at 57 percent, and the national response rate is at 62 percent. Mississippi is about 5 points behind the national response rate.
“If you have not responded to the Census as of now, we need you to respond today,” exclaimed Stephens. “You have three ways to respond. You can respond online at my2020census.gov. You can call a toll-free number at 844-330-2020 and speak with a representative and respond by phone. Or, you can just mail back that paper questionnaire using the enclosed envelope that we sent to you. There is no postage necessary. We need people to respond now because we do not want to have to come and knock on your door.”
Stephens said she is questioned daily about the security of the information provided to the Census Bureau. Two laws protect the data collected by the Census Bureau: Title 13 of the United States Code and Title 44 of the United States Code.
“Under Title 13, the Census Bureau cannot release anything that will identify a household or any members of that household with the response they’ve given us,” stated Stephens. “We can only release information in statistical form. The law further states that no entity or no agency can get your information. No law enforcement, no police. No IRS, CIA or FBI. No immigration. No court can issue a subpoena. Employees like me have lifetime sworn status under this law. Even when we leave the employment of the Census Bureau, we still cannot reveal anything that will identify the person or household with their responses. There is a five-year prison term or a $250,000 fine per infraction.”
She added that each Census data is sealed for 72 years before the individual information is released. The first release, which was the 1940 Census, was released in 2012.
“The next Census release will be the 1950 Census, and we will release that in 2022,” said Stephens.
Stephens told a story of helping someone fill out the Census online. She told him how to enter the information, and suddenly he started screaming.
“Sir, are you alright?” she asked. He answered, “This machine is so smart; it knows that I am 92 years old.”
The man completed filling out the form with her help and provided information on the other three individuals living with him. He told Stephens he was going to frame his copy and give it to his grandchildren to show them that in 2020 he was counted and made a difference.
“I no longer accept any excuse from anyone for not filling out the Census,” exclaimed Stephens.