HUDSON VALLEY – The 2020 US Census, which attempts to count every person in the country, began in March of this year at about the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered daily life for millions of Americans.
The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. The 2020 Census counts the population in the United States and five U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
According to the Census Bureau, the census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for the community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
In the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County began an outreach program early in the year to help get people to participate in order to secure vital federal funding. The “Complete Count Committee” chaired by John Penney presented information to all local governments and many civic organizations to increase the response rate. As of this week, the national response rate is approximately 53.2%. In New York, the rate is 47.4% with Dutchess County rated at 51.3%, ranking the county at 18 of the state’s 62 counties. The City of Poughkeepsie is below average with a 38.8% response rate.
Penney noted that rural parts of Dutchess including North East, Amenia, and Washington are below 38%, due largely in part to PO Box addresses. “Census invitations are mailed to physical addresses – not PO Boxes,” said Penney. According to Penney, the lack of an invitation does not prevent people from being counted in the anonymous census. Individuals can participate online at My2020Census.govand use the link option that says “If you do not have a census ID” and follow the prompts.
County Executive Marcus Molinaro has been stressing the need for full participation for months and praised the Complete Count Committee. “The county is now more than halfway to the census projection of our population,” he said, “But, from the inception, our goal has been to make sure everyone living in Dutchess County gets counted.” With the pandemic placing enormous financial burdens on government at all levels, Molinaro said “Ultimately, census figures will determine how much federal funding comes to your community. Make sure you and your community are counted.”
As of April 26, Census data for the counties in the Hudson Valley, along with major cities, is as follows:
- Columbia County is at 38.8% with the City of Hudson at 34.5%
- Ulster County is at 45.4% with the City of Kingston at 49.4%
- Putnam County has a response rate of 56.2%
- Westchester County is at 54.1% with the City of Yonkers responding at 46%
- Rockland County is at 52.4% with Spring Valley at 30.7%
- Orange County is at 49.9% with the City of Newburgh at 31.8%
- Sullivan County is at 22.8% with Liberty at 34%
- Greene County is at 29.1% with Catskill at 44.4%
The current 2020 Census response rates can be viewed here.
NEWS STORY PROVIDED BY: Mid Hudson News - www.midhudsonnews.com