2020 Census: Malibu Has Underwhelming Response Rate

MALIBU, CA — 2020 is not an ideal year for the census, to put it mildly.

In normal years, getting every single resident of the country to give up their personal information presents a logistical challenge. But when a pandemic rages, it becomes harder for people to find the time to fill out information – or their information changes – and social distancing concerns make it harder for census workers to follow up with people who haven’t filled out their ballots.

Data collection will continue until Oct. 31, instead of the original plan for July 31, according to 2020Census.gov.

These are perhaps some of the reasons why just 36.2 percent of Malibuites have responded to the census as of Monday, according to 2020census.gov. This lies well below the L.A. County self-response rate of 58.9 percent, the California self-response rate of 63.9 percent, and the national average of 62.1 percent (the national average is as of July 14.)

Local officials all over the country are keen for 100 percent participation, since census figures will be used to determine funding and redistricting. The California Department of Finance estimates that state and local governments will lose out on $1000 a year in federal funding tied to population for the next 10 years for every person who doesn't respond, according to John Frith, a census spokesperson.

Malibu city spokesperson Matt Myerhoff said that the city has sent out press releases, e-notifications, and videos on its website, social media channels, Nextdoor, KBUU Radio, local newspapers, and the public access TV channel.

The census can be filled out online, by phone, or via mail. For more information, visit the “how to respond” section of the official census website.