For the first time in history, the public can monitor U.S. Census self-response rates daily, and, as of the Saturday update, Mississippi had an 18.3% self-response rate – higher than the national average of 16.9% and well above some neighboring states.
Louisiana is at 16.3%, Alabama at 17.9%, Tennessee 16.6%, Florida at 16.7%, Arkansas 17.6%, Texas 13.8% and Georgia 14.1%.
Officials with the Mississippi Complete Count Committee are thrilled with early results and are determined to maintain the momentum. While officials at all levels handle the many important issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, the responsibility to count every U.S. resident is still a priority.
The Complete Count Committee is launching a campaign to engage state, county and city leaders to watch their own area’s numbers and challenge their residents to complete their census questionnaires. They believe this is a turning point and a real opportunity for Mississippians to come together and make a difference for the state.
“We are so encouraged,” said former state Senator Giles Ward, chairman of the Mississippi Complete Count Committee. “This is an opportunity for Mississippi to show the nation how it’s done. We are a shining example right now, and we can make it even better if we all work together. Many of us are working from home, and it’s a good time to take care of this while we can.”
In 2010, Mississippi was among the bottom 10 in the country in response rates.
According to John Green, Ph.D., director of the Mississippi Center for Population Studies at the University of Mississippi and one of the executive members of the Mississippi Complete Count Committee, every person not counted in the census represents approximately $50,000 in Federal funding over 10 years.
“Mississippi undercounted by about 265,000 people in 2010, representing $13.2 billion dollars left on the table,” said Green. “That’s a lot of money we could have used. We can all change the path for Mississippi and help the state get our share of the dollars by completing our census and encouraging others to do the same.”
“There are only a few states ahead of Mississippi as of Saturday’s update,” added Ward. “Nebraska is at 21.9%, Iowa 21.6%, Kansas 20.9%, Idaho 20.5%, Michigan 19.3%, Virginia 19.2%, Illinois 19.0%, Indiana 18.6% and Missouri 18.4%. I’m a pretty competitive person, so I’d really like to pull ahead, and I think my fellow Mississippians would, too!”
The census can be completed online by visiting http://mscensus2020.org. Just hit the blue “Complete My Census Now” button. Although some people have received their census invitation in the mail, you can complete your census online without an invitation by simply selecting “Start Questionnaire.” If you do not have a 12-digit code from a paper invitation, click the link on the login screen that says: If you do not have a Census ID, click here.
“The committee encourages everyone in Mississippi to complete your census and then offer your guidance to friends and family members,” adds Ward. “You may know of someone who is elderly and has failing eyesight or someone else who has no idea of the importance. Let’s work together and get this done!”
The U.S. Census bureau will mail paper questionnaires to those who do not complete the census online, followed by phone calls. In-person, door-to-door visitation has been postponed until a plan can be made in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Every 10 years, the Constitution requires the United States to count the number of people living in the country. The census helps to direct more than $675 billion annually in federal funding. Census data is used by businesses, governments, and civic organizations to inform decision making about what services should be available in local areas.
Organizations need to be prepared to support the communities they serve to get counted.
Learn the basics about the census, why it matters to people with disabilities, and how to get involved.
For Mississippi residents, especially those who live in rural communities and small towns, participating in the 2020 Census is essential. Mississippi receives over $2 for every $1 we pay in federal taxes. Focusing on the 55 federal programs with the greatest spending determined by Census data, researchers at George Washington University estimated that Mississippi received more than $10.1 billion in fiscal year 2016. This was directly influenced by data collected from the Census and the American Community Survey,
WHY IT MATTERS TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
$ 5,000 lost for every adult and every child not counted in the Census
The 2020 Census is a chance to make sure the hard-earned tax dollars make their way back to Mississippi.
For every adult and every child that is not counted in the census, the state stands to lose $17.5B in federal dollars every year.
