2020 Census questionnaire now available online
–Starting today, households across San Luis Obispo County will start receiving a mailed invitation to participate in the United States’ once-a-decade head count.
Most households will receive a unique code and instructions to take the Census online via my2020census.gov. Residents may also respond via phone by calling 1-800-354-7271 or by mail once paper forms are mailed in late March. The U.S. Census Bureau will also send field representatives in April to households that have not responded to allow a response in person.
“A low response rate in this census count could mean the loss of one of California’s seats in the House of Representatives and, on the local level, reduced funding for education, health care, job training, transportation and other vital services based on the census numbers. That is why the County is so invested in ensuring every resident is counted,” said County Administrative Analyst Kristin Eriksson, who has been working with local Complete Count Committee to get the word out about the importance of the 2020 Census.
The County and local 2020 Census Complete Count Committee recently began ramping up marketing and outreach efforts to encourage every person in SLO County to be counted. Committee members have been sharing the importance of the census with residents, and the county began promoting the Census locally.
The county plans to open a local questionnaire assistance center starting today from 2 to 5 p.m. at the library in Paso Robles to help residents with 2020 Census questionnaires. Anyone in SLO County may visit the center to get information in their native language regarding the census, ask questions related to the 2020 Census, and find assistance completing the census questionnaire. County public libraries also have dedicated computers for answering the Census online. Hours for this center can be found at www.slocountycensus.org.
The 2020 Census counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. All individual responses are confidential and will not be shared publicly or with any governmental entity outside of the U.S. Census Bureau for 72 years.
