Field operations for the 2020 Census are suspended in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. | Stock Photo
Field operations for the 2020 Census are suspended in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. | Stock Photo
The federal government is delaying the 2020 Census to avoid spreading COVID-19 from July 31 to mid-August.
Since coronavirus is highly contagious, Census workers will not go door-to-door and field operations have been suspended. The population count is still available online.
Jurisdictions, like Wake County, have spent time and money promoting the census.
Wake County planner Akul Nishawala said it's even more challenging to get residents to participate during the crisis.
The Census helps determine where and how much federal funding is awarded to communities nationwide, among other factors.
"Planning for things like hospitals and schools and emergency services really means a lot. In times like this, when we're in crisis, it really goes to show how important that data is and to be able to plan long term," Nishawala told WTVD for its March 24 report.
The Courier-Times reported Person County residents are responding at a bit better rate than those in other North Carolina counties. Based on responses through March, 17.4% of Person County residents have responded compared with 16.6% state average.
Carolina Demography reports that Person County is ranked 40th out of North Carolina's 100 counties in its response rate. Nearby Caswell County leads the state with 22% of residents responding.
While some counties are responding well, North Carolina ranks in the bottom 10 states for census response, according to a Courier-Times March 25 report.
Carolina Demography also reports that North Carolina residents complete the Census online less frequently than residents of other states. Thirteen percent of respondents in North Carolina answered online compared with the national average of 16 percent.
The northeastern part of Person County reported the lowest participation rate, according to the Courier-Times.
Data collected from the 2020 Census affects everything from federal funding for Medicare to the number of seats allocated in Congress.
The survey is available online and can also be sent through U.S. Postal Service.
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