County is counting on census results
Everyone counts in the 2020 census — literally.
And it's important that Butler County residents take part in that count, which kicks off today.
“It's hard to believe we're just ... hours away,” said Susan Licate, a media specialist with the Philadelphia Regional Census Center.
In the beginningThe census starts with mail invitations, which each household will receive now through March 20. April 1 is Census Day. Residents must respond to the census where they live as of that date.Postcard reminders will be issued to households that haven't responded as the census season progresses.The census is “simple and safe and important,” according to Mark Gordon, county chief of planning and economic development. To help residents understand how the census works and why it's relevant, Gordon leads the Complete Count Committee.With 25 to 30 volunteers, the committee represents different groups in Butler County and has a single mission:“To promote the census,” said committee member Mark Mann. “We're just trying to make sure that we ... reach out to different organizations.”“It's really about making sure the word gets out,” Gordon said.Schools, churches, business chambers and food banks can be good resources for doing that, Mann said.For instance, Mann said, it's important for Butler County's roughly 190,000 citizens to know people should answer the census wherever they spend most of their nights.Slippery Rock University students will be an important part of Butler County's census results.The Complete Count Committee also helps reach and educate target demographics, such as the elderly and young families. Some people don't realize babies born before or on April 1 should be counted, according to Sherry Sholes in the county economic development office.“The census is a critical piece of information,” Gordon said. “We just want to make sure we get a ... complete count.”Gordon said in the 2010 census, Zelienople borough was undercounted. He estimates the implications of this has cost about $1 million in grants over the past 10 years.
Under oathLicate said it's important for citizens to understand census takers take a lifetime oath of confidentiality: Census information cannot be shared with government agencies, which includes the FBI, IRS and ICE.“All census responses are protected by law,” Licate said.Licate stressed the importance of responding to the nine-question census — which can be answered online, by phone and, in some cases, through the mail.Statistics gathered through the census will determine things such as legislative districts and municipality funding for the next 10 years.Referencing a study conducted by George Washington University, Sholes said about $2,100 is lost annually for every Pennsylvanian not counted in the census.
On the ballLicate tells citizens to make use of the first phase of census invitations.“Take advantage of early self-response,” Licate said. “(Then) it'll be finished.”But work doesn't stop for the census committee once the census starts.“It's not going to end April 1,” Mann said.Mann said people will need to know about the census and what it does as long as the census is being taken.To receive accurate funding and districting power, Butler County needs to be accurately represented.“We all need to be counted,” Mann said.Gordon said once this year's county census is taken, the committee will probably review operations in preparation for the 2030 census.“What worked well?” Gordon said of the questions he expects the committee to discuss. “What are the opportunities for improvement?”Gordon said just as the 2010 census differs from the 2020 census, he anticipates the 2030 census being different as well.
Be preparedLicate warns citizens to be mindful of census scams. She said census mailings will be clearly identified and census workers will be wearing census badges with watermarks and expiration dates.“The badge is not easily duplicated,” Licate said.The census also will not ask for personal information, such as religious or political views and Social Security numbers. Citizens won't be asked to print documents or download apps.Census workers will only contact citizens in person if they haven't responded to the initial invitation and postcard reminders.Workers also won't call citizens seeking a response to the census.“The responder has to initiate the call,” Licate said.Under no circumstances will the census require citizens to submit a payment or donation.Information about the census — including samples of what census mailings should look like — is available at www.census.gov.“Go online,” Licate said. “Become familiar ... we want folks to become aware.”A request by the Eagle for information about how census workers will be handling coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Census Bureau's Public Information Office was not returned at the time this article was written.
The Butler County Commissioners and the Butler Eagle are sponsoring a poster contest for students aimed at encouraging county residents to participate in the U.S. Census.What: Entries can be 8.5-by-11 or 11-by-17 inches and use any medium from crayon and chalk to markers and paint. The slogan “Count Me In!” must be included.Who: Open to all students in kindergarten to fourth grade.Deadline to enter: Tuesday, March 24. Entries will be judged March 30 and 31 by the county commissioners. Winners will be recognized April 1, Census Day, at the 10 a.m. county commissioners’ meeting.
