Laguna Beach Lagging Behind On Census Counts, Could Lose Funding

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach residents have been slow to respond to the U.S. Census, which could result in the city missing out on federal funding to the community between now and when the next census is conducted in 10 years. City officials reported Thursday that Laguna Beach ranks 346th out of 482 California cities in census responses, which has led them to urge residents to participate.

City officials said in a news release that the failure to respond to census questionnaires can result in “serious local consequences” as each person who is not counted will result in the approximate loss of $20,000 in federal funding during the 10-year period between census counts.

“While the census provides population data, it is also important for the city’s budget, as the city receives state revenues based on the number of people living in the city,” Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig said in the release. “We need everybody to respond because it’s a significant amount of funds that otherwise would have to come from other local sources.”

Census counts began in mid-March and for the first time, residents have been permitted to respond online by visiting https://2020census.gov/. According to the release, data collected is also used for demographic purposes, and to make planning decisions about community services, such as: where to provide services for the elderly, build new roads and schools, locate job training centers, and distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.

Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen joined Pietig in urging local residents to respond so the city does not risk losing valuable federal dollars.

“Everyone counts,” Whalen said in the release.