April 1 was Census Day, but it’s not too late to complete the 2020 Census! Your response to the 2020 Census matters, and the results can shape many different aspects of your community over the next decade.

As of April 23, Kansas currently has a self-response rate of 56.6%, which is above the national average of 51.8%. However, some of our most rural counties still have a response rate below 25%. This needs to be remedied to make certain none of our communities are at a disadvantage over the next decade due to an incomplete count. See below for your county’s response rate and click here to fill out the Census now.

Quick Census Facts

• A count of the population is constitutionally mandated every 10 years and administered by the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Participating in the Census is required by law, but your information is kept confidential.
• If 1% of the Kansas population is uncounted in the 2020 Census, the state could miss receiving over $6 billion over the next decade. Kansas will lose over $2,000 in federal funds for each person who is not counted.
• Lawmakers and business leaders use the data from the census to make critical decisions about where communities need new schools, clinics, roads, and services. The results can impact a community’s ability to attract and retain businesses.
• The census determines political representation at the state and federal level.
• You can respond to the census by mail, phone (844-330-2020) or online at 2020census.gov.

Your Response Matters

The Census is used to determine many decisions in your community over the next 10 years. Here are a few ways the census impacts your community:

• The census informs federal funding for more than 100 programs, including school lunches, highway construction and education. Some of these programs support specific initiatives for rural areas.
• Voting and congressional districts are adjusted or redrawn based on the census results. After the last census, eight states gained seats in the House of Representatives.
• Businesses rely on the data to evaluate population trends and growth projections for where to put new stores, restaurants, factories or offices, as well as where to recruit employees and what products or services to offer.

Responding to the 2020 Census now prevents Census Bureau employees having to knock from door-to-door during COVID-19. 

You Can Still Respond

April 1 was Census Day, but it’s not too late to complete the 2020 Census! You can still respond to the census by mail, phone or online. When filling out the Census, you should count yourself at the place where you are living and sleeping most of the time as of April 1, 2020.

You can find answers to your questions here. Learn more or take the census online at 2020census.gov.

When Responding, Count Everyone Living With You

When filling out the census, count everyone living with you as of April 1, 2020 – including roommates, young children, newborns, renters, etc…

If someone such as a college student is just living with you temporarily due to COVID-19, they should be counted where they ordinarily would be living on April 1, 2020.

Kansas Counts

Your Information is Protected

The Census Bureau follows all federal standards for protection of the data they collect. Every employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life.

Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home or your business – even to law enforcement agencies. Your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.

Deadline

Due to COVID-19, the Census Bureau will be accepting responses through October 31, 2020. While responses will continue to be accepted through October, please take time today to make sure you are counted for Kansas.