Low Census response can cost neighborhoods, cities billions in the long run

Описание: CINCINNATI (WKRC) - If you haven't filled out your Census form, you may soon be getting a knock at the door.

An east side neighborhood in Covington has the lowest response rate to the Census in Northern Kentucky. The area has a 30-40% response rate.

Several neighborhoods in Cincinnati have low response rates too. Neighborhoods like Lower Price Hill, University Heights and Over-the-Rhine have only a 15-30% response rate.

The city is now hosting virtual kiosks where you can fill out the Census at places like Findlay Market and in those harder-to-count neighborhoods.

Chandra Yungbluth, Cincinnati’s Census coordinator, says because of COVID-19, the process is about 7% behind where it was 10 years ago.

“For every head that's counted in Hamilton County, we stand to lose or gain $1,814 per year over 10 years. That's $18,000 over 10 years [per person]; that's billions of dollars over 10 years for this region,” Yungbluth said.

That money usually affects those in hard-to-count neighborhoods first.

“There is literally nobody in this country that is not impacted by Census data. If you're looking at federally funded programs based on Census data, it's over 300 programs,” Yungbluth said.

That covers everything from the school lunches that are supplied, even during remote learning, to benefits like SNAP or food stamps.

The Census data also helps local governments know where a bus stop should go or a health center in a neighborhood. If an area doesn't respond, it's harder for those who don't live there to understand its needs.

Why don't hard-to-count areas want to be counted? Experts say it's because they don't trust what is done with their data.

“Everything that you fill out on a Census form is probably already on your Facebook profile,” Yungbluth said.

Census workers won't start knocking on your door until Aug. 11.

If you don't want to fill out your Census online, you can always call.