Poor response rate and COVID-19 concerns prompt extension of Census deadlines

The 2020 Census is underway and while more households across America are responding every day, there are still many that have not been heard from. Over 70 million households have responded to date, representing over 48 percent of all households in America.

The California response rate is a bit higher at 49.2 percent and 48.3 perfect of Nevadans have replied.

South Lake Tahoe is lower than most, with 20.9 percent of the population replying so far.

Other area results:
44.3 percent El Dorado County
47.9 percent Douglas County
51 percent City of Reno

Results from the census help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year including education and teacher funding, the number of seats in Congress each state gets, school lunches, plans for highways, support for firefighters, families in need, Medicaid, Section 8 housing, federal transit, community development, rural water and waste disposal systems.

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau is adjusting 2020 Census operations in order to:

- Protect the health and safety of the American public and Census Bureau employees.
- Implement guidance from federal, state and local authorities.
- Ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities.

The Census Bureau temporarily suspended 2020 Census field data collection activities in March. Steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices beginning June 1, 2020, in preparation for the resumption of field data collection operations as quickly as possible following June 1.

In-person activities, including all interaction with the public, enumeration, office work, and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance to promote the health and safety of staff and the public. This will include recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing practices.

To complete the Census, visit https://www.2020census.gov/.