CENSUS 2020 Workers Now have One Month Less to Complete the Count

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August 10, 2020

By Linda Viertel–

Ever since Westchester County was notified that the U.S. Census Bureau will be halting Census 2020 efforts one month early, with operations concluding on September 30^th, “If you have not already done so, fill out your 2020 Census Form Today” and “We all count,” have become oft-repeated phrases on County and rivertown websites, emails, and Facebook pages. It will continue to be a “battle-cry” until every person in every household gets counted in the 2020 census. And, our rivertowns are in the forefront of making sure that “Complete Count” becomes reality.

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Irvington is being especially proactive in trying to make certain every household has filled out a census form by September 30^th. Please note below how many have already filled out their forms in Irvington and how many have not in the following detailed announcement posted August 8, 2020: Respond to the 2020 Census Today!

About 2,090 Irvington households have filled out the census form on their own. That means about 780 homes need to be visited by a census taker to count everyone else in-person (or determine if housing units are vacant). This “non-response follow-up” will take place until Sept. 30 (the Census Bureau shortened this time frame by 4 weeks on Aug. 3). During this time you can still fill out the form on your own so a census taker won’t need to knock on your door to count you in-person.

Don’t let the census worker come calling. Visit https://2020census.gov/ to respond today!

With the new timeframe restrictions in place, it is more important now than ever that all Westchester County families fill out their census forms. “We urge rivertown residents who have yet to participate in the Census to complete their questionnaires right away,” says Blanca Lopez, Advisor to the County Executive on Fair and Affordable Housing. “It is easy to participate – households can answer the questionnaire online, by phone, or in-person now that Census enumerators have begun field operations. Information collected by the Census is protected and secure. Everyone who hasn’t should fill out the Census today!”

During a normal census, the Census Bureau recruits thousands of people across the country to do field work beginning in mid-May through July 31, a total of 2 ½ months. With the 2020 Census timeframe being cut short one month early, census workers will now only have 1 ½ months in the field.

There are an estimated 370,000 housing units in Westchester from single family homes to accessory apartments, to multi-family buildings. At the current reporting of approximately 64% of households already counted, there are still over 130,000 housing units that have not yet had their residents counted. The impact of this is significant because the Census Bureau estimates that every resident not counted is a loss of approximately $2,500 per year to local governments. This translates to a $1 million loss for every 400 households each year. It really is crucial that all Westchester County families participate in the census.

Most recently, with funding for COVID-19 relief based on census population data, the County needs accurate numbers to ensure funding for health care, schools, road repairs and many other programs. The Census Bureau will not ask for any citizenship information and you can complete the census in just minutes.

To help ensure an accurate count, the Census Bureau will have staff enumerators start knocking on doors of households that have not yet responded to the census, beginning Thursday, August 6. Please ask to see the official ID badge of any individual who knocks at your door, or you can confirm a census taker’s identity by calling 1-844-330-2020. The census enumerators will follow all Center for Disease Control COVID-19 protocols, including wearing masts and will keep a safe distance, but can assist any household with completing the census.

Char Weigel, member of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown’s Complete Count Committee says, “When you count, you bring money to Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown that we need to recover and thrive. Renters, homeowners, citizens, non-citizens – everyone counts. Census takers are starting to visit homes now, but you can still complete online or by phone through September 30.”

To find out more, visit https://my2020census.gov/ and 844-330-2020 (English) and 844-468-2020 (Spanish).

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