The 2020 Census Has NOT Been Suspended

Rumor

The 2020 Census has been suspended or cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

HERE ARE THE FACTS

Although some of the activities undertaken by the US Census Bureau have been adjusted or delayed, the self response to the 2020 Census continues. The Census can be completed online, by phone or by mail. Click here to take the Census now.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10

Did you know that in 1914, Congress officially made the second Sunday in May Mother’s Day? You’ll find this and many other interesting statistics in our Mother’s Day Fun Facts and accompanying teaching guide!

View Key Stats at the U.S. Census Bureau

In This Issue

Note: If the bookmark links to the articles above do not work, check that your pop-up blocker is turned off. Otherwise, scroll down in the newsletter to see the articles.

Follow Maryland Census 2020 on Twitter and Facebook – Follow @MdCensus2020 and like @MdCensus2020 – to stay in touch with Maryland’s Census 2020 complete count efforts. Join the conversation by using hashtag #2020MDCensus on Facebook and on Twitter.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

For further details, go to the Maryland Census 2020 Events page

Wicomico County CCC Meeting – Virtual	May 11	3:00 p.m.
Baltimore County Cyber Lunch Event: 2020 Census Community Meeting – Virtual	May 12	12:00 p.m.
Baltimore City CCC Meeting – Virtual	May 14	10:00 a.m.
Carroll County CCC Meeting – Virtual	May 14	3:00 p.m.
Allegany County CCC Meeting – Virtual	May 19	3:00 p.m.
Calvert County CCC Meeting – Virtual	May 20	10:00 a.m.
Baltimore City CCC Meeting – Virtual	May 21	10:00 a.m.

News and Events

Officials Urge Marylanders To Fill Out The 2020 Census, Self-Response Deadline Extended Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

Secretary Rob McCord Interviewed by WJZ-TV 13

The U.S. Census Bureau began sending out invitations to complete the 2020 Census in March. While Maryland’s response rate is above the national average, officials are urging those who have not responded, to do so. The U.S. Census helps determine the distribution of resources across the country, and officials say it’s more important now, than ever.

“This is the first time in the history of the Census that there are three ways to respond,” McCord said. “You can respond online, you can respond by phone, and you can respond when the form comes in the mail.”

See Full Video at WJZ-TV 13

Maryland Self-Response Rate at 62 Percent

As of May 8, Maryland’s self-response rate to the 2020 Census is 62.0 percent, while the national average is 58.1 percent. Maryland remains 2nd in the region, behind only Virginia at 63 percent. Maryland is ahead of Pennsylvania (60.9 percent), Delaware (56.3 percent), the District of Columbia (53.8 percent), and West Virginia (45.6 percent).

Carroll (74.1 percent), Howard (71.9 percent), and Harford (70.3 percent) counties are leading the state. Twenty Maryland counties have achieved self-response rates over 50 percent and 16 counties rates exceed the national average.

View Maryland County and Municipality Response Rates at the MDP’s Census 2020 Response Rate At-A-Glance Dashboard

KEEP CALM and COME to Your CENSUS! Secretary McCord on MACo’s Conduit Street Podcast

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Robert McCord joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss how state and local leaders are adjusting to ensure a fair and accurate 2020 Census amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Census data is used to allocate billions of dollars in federal funding for education, health, transportation, housing, community services, and job training. Moreover, businesses and industries decide where to locate new facilities and services based on census data, creating new jobs, and promoting economic growth.

Listen to the Full Podcast at the Maryland Association of Counties

4 Things You Have Wrong About the Census

Myth #1: There’s a citizenship question.

FALSE. There is no citizenship question on the Census. And, you do not need to be a citizen to be counted. The goal of the Census is to count every person living in the US.

Myth #2: My answers will be shared.

INCORRECT. The law requires the Census Bureau to keep information confidential. The Census Bureau is only allowed to produce summary data that provides an overview of the population, but nothing representing specific individuals.

Myth #3: My answers could be used against me.

NEVER. The law prohibits the Census Bureau from sharing information with law enforcement or immigration enforcement agencies under Title 13. Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for government benefits either.

Myth #4: The Census is like a survey – optional.

WRONG – it’s the law. Counting every person living in the United States is done every ten years following Article 1, Section 2 in the Constitution. Participating in the Census is how we get a true picture of America and we need everyone to respond.

4 Things You Have Wrong About the Census

Census Bureau News – Current Population Survey Table Packages Now Available for Age, Sex, Race and Hispanic Origin, and the Older and Foreign-Born Populations

The U.S. Census Bureau released new tables from the 2019 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement. These tables provide information on marital status, educational attainment, employment status, occupation, earnings, and other social and economic statistics by age and sex and Hispanic origin, and for the Asian alone, Asian alone-or-in-combination, black alone, black alone-or-in-combination, older and foreign-born populations. The Current Population Survey is one of the oldest, largest, and most well-recognized surveys in the United States. In addition to being the primary source of monthly labor force statistics, it is also used to collect data for a variety of other studies that keep the nation informed of the economic and social well-being of its people.

Salisbury-Wicomico Complete Count Committee Holding Virtual Art Contest to Promote Importance of the Census

U.S. Census Bureau to Resume 2020 Census Field Operations in Select Locations

The U.S. Census Bureau, in coordination with federal, state, and local health officials, will begin a phased restart of some 2020 census field operations in select geographic areas this week. The health and safety of Census Bureau staff and the public remain of the utmost importance. Returning staff will receive safety training to observe social distancing protocols in the COVID-19 environment. For their safety and the safety of the public, the Census Bureau has ordered Personal Protective Equipment for all field staff, including those who work in a field office. These materials will be secured and provided to staff prior to restarting operations.

Read Full Article at The Washington Informer

Don’t Forget to Respond: 2020 Census Reminder Postcards Arriving

The U.S. Census Bureau is beginning to send reminder notice postcards to an estimated 55 million households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. Approximately 57.7% of households across the country have already responded since invitations began arriving in mailboxes on March 12. Those households that have not yet responded to the census will receive an in person visit by a census taker to collect their information later this summer.

Read Full Letter at the U.S. Census Bureau

U.S. Census Bureau Releases New Veteran Employment Outcomes Statistics

The Census Bureau released new experimental statistics on U.S. Army veterans’ outcomes in the civilian labor market. Veteran Employment Outcomes (VEO) provide annual earnings for veterans by military occupation, civilian industry, and veteran characteristics — one, five, and 10 years after leaving service. This data shows a broad distribution of labor market outcomes for recent veterans, highlighting the role of industry, military occupation, and rank in determining post-military earnings. VEO are generated by linking veterans’ records provided by the Army to national administrative data on jobs developed by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Read Full Article at the U.S. Census Bureau

Older Americans Month: May

According to the 2018 Population Estimates, there are 52,431,193 people age 65 and over in the U.S. out of a total population of 327,167,434 or 16.0%.

See Key Stats at the U.S. Census Bureau