Think of those you know who may not have been counted
With less than two weeks remaining to complete the Census, help increase Berkeley's tally by reminding friends, family, and neighbors how important it is to get counted.
As of September 16, 71% of Berkeley households had responded to the 2020 Census online, by mail, or by phone. Census takers started visiting homes of those who have not responded in August. The Census Bureau estimates that over 90% of US households have now been counted, but significant gaps remain locally.
You can help ensure that Berkeley gets our fair share of federal funding over the next decade by taking a few minutes today to text five friends and ask if they've completed the Census.
Consider who you know who may not have been counted
Each person who gets counted makes a difference. When reaching out, think about who in your network may not have responded yet.
Census tracts near the UC Berkeley campus have the lowest self-response rates. Students who moved away because of COVID-19 may not realize that they should still be counted in Berkeley.
Sample messages
Copy one of the sample messages below, or use them as a starting point to write your own.
-
Please respond to the Census if you haven't already. It takes less than 10 minutes and helps Berkeley get fair funding and representation for the next 10 years. https://my2020census.gov/.
-
Fair funding for Berkeley schools depends on a complete count in the Census. If you haven't responded, please take 10 minutes to do so today. https://my2020census.gov/
-
There's less than two weeks left to take the Census. Please get counted if you haven't already. It takes less than 10 minutes: https://my2020census.gov/.
-
Have you taken the Census? Everyone counted brings back $1,000 every year in federal funding for affordable housing, health care, schools, roads, transportation, disaster response, and more. Respond at https://my2020census.gov/.
Find graphics, videos, and other tools to help encourage others to respond on the Census Bureau website.
Tell them why the Census matters to you
You message will have the most impact if you personalize it. Stress why the Census is important to you. Funding streams for many essential City of Berkeley services depend on Census results, including:
- Meals on Wheels
- homeless outreach
- transportation services for senior citizens
- affordable housing
- shelters and other social services
- bicycle and pedestrian improvements
- street care and maintenance
- recycling and waste reduction programs
Census data also impacts political representation at all levels of government and determines funding for education and public transportation.
Census takers counting unhoused residents next week
Everyone counts in the Census, and that includes our most vulnerable. Next week, the Census Bureau will be sending specially-trained workers to shelters, encampments, and homeless service providers to count unhoused Berkeleyans.
This effort is part of the Census Bureau's "group quarters" operations, which use special processes to count people in unique living situations, including college dorms, nursing homes, and prisons.
In this time of great need, filling out a Census form is an act of service to help bring resources to our community. Fill yours out at my2020census.gov if you haven't done so already, and reach out to others to remind them to get counted.
