By Rylie Friesen-
The United States Census Bureau has extended deadlines for census responses to ensure everyone has the opportunity to complete the census amid the coronavirus pandemic.
As of April 4, the response rate for the 2020 Census by households in Citrus Heights was 48.6%, according to a response rate tracker available at 2020census.gov. Statewide, the average response rate has been about 5% lower, at 43.5%.
On March 28, the Census Bureau said in a news release that all in-person field operations have been suspended until April 15 to protect the health and safety of residents as well as census staff. Despite that delay, officials say census counts are on track for California, according to an article published Wednesday by the Sacramento Bee.
Small adjustments in dates include an extension in the “self-response phase” and a non-response followup period. Beginning May 27, census staff will begin following up with homes that have not responded to the census.
That followup will continue through Aug. 14, followed by final counts delivered to the president and congress in December.
On Wednesday, the City of Citrus Heights tweeted a reminder to residents to fill out the census. The city also hosted a Facebook Live session earlier this year, where a census representative said it is estimated that every person counted on a census form results in about $10,000 brought back to their community in federal funding over the next 10 years. Other estimates put that figure as high as $20,000.
Although in-person opportunities are no longer available, residents can fill out the census online, over the phone with a live person, or through mail. Responses can be submitted at 2020census.gov.
Related: 8 things Citrus Heights residents should know about the 2020 Census
