Half of CT Households Now Receiving Questionnaire from US Census

About 64 million households across the nation, including in Connecticut, are now receiving a paper questionnaire as the U.S. Census Bureau reminds residents that responding to the census is easier than ever. While nearly half of all households nationwide (47.9%) – including 49.7% in Connecticut - have responded online to the 2020 Census, some may prefer to receive a paper questionnaire.

Households that have not yet responded to the Census began to receive a paper questionnaire during the past few days. Households receiving the paper questionnaire can still respond online or by phone, or they can return it by mail in the enclosed envelope. They can choose to respond online at www.2020census.gov in English or 12 other languages, or receive assistance through language guides and videos available in 59 languages.

Individuals responding to the census online are urged to use the Census ID from the letter or provide the address of their household. The response should include the number of people living at their address as of April 1.

Thus far, the response in Connecticut ranks 17th in the nation, according the latest data. Among the Connecticut municipalities with the highest self-response rate thus far are: Tolland (66%), Marlborough (64%), Simsbury (63%), Burlington (63%), Cheshire (62%), and Glastonbury (62%). The lowest response rates to date are in Salisbury (27%), Cornwall (31%), and Hartford (32%).

“It has never been easier to respond to the Census, whether online at 2020census.gov, over the phone, or by mail - all without having to see a census taker. It’s something everyone can do now, while practicing social distancing at home - and it will have an impact on Connecticut for the next 10 years,” said Michelle Riordan-Nold, a member of Connecticut’s Complete Count Committee and Executive Director of the Connecticut Data Collaborative, the lead organization for the State of Connecticut in the U.S. Census Bureau’s State Data Center Program.

The Census Bureau has indicated that even if households don’t receive a letter and questionnaire in the mail, the Census Bureau will drop off a census invitation and paper form as soon as it is safe to do so. Initial invitations to respond were sent to households between March 12 and 20, followed by a reminder postcard. Census takers will follow-up with all households that do not respond on their own. Responding now to the 2020 Census will minimize the need for a census taker to visit homes in person later this year. Some areas where census takers were originally going to hand-deliver forms in person will now receive a letter in the mail from the Census Bureau reminding them to participate.

The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs how hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds are allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers for public services and infrastructure like hospitals, emergency response, schools and bridges over the next 10 years. Connecticut officials have pointed out that Connecticut receives $10.7 billion annually in federal funding. Business decisions – such as where to locate or expand - are also often influenced by data that is provided based on Census counts.

The self-response rate in Connecticut to the 2010 U.S. Census was 69.5%, slightly higher than the national rate of 66.5%.

The Connecticut Data Collaborative (www.ctdata.org) is the lead organization for Connecticut in the U.S. Census Bureau’s State Data Center Program and Connecticut’s official source for Census data related to the 2020 Census. Data and analysis, along with key information, is being posted to the website. The Connecticut Data Collaborative (CTData) is a statewide public-private partnership that advocates for the public availability of open and accessible data. Connecticut’s Complete Count Committee website is www.ct.gov/census.

The U.S. Census Bureau does not disclose any personal information. Responses are used only to produce statistics. It is against the law for any Census Bureau employee to disclose or publish any census information that identifies an individual. Census Bureau employees take a lifelong pledge of confidentiality to handle data responsibly and keep respondents’ information private. No law enforcement agency (not the DHS, ICE, FBI, or CIA) can access or use personal information at any time.

During the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask individuals for a Social Security number, bank or credit card account numbers, money or donations, or anything on behalf of a political party. There is no citizenship question on the 2020 Census. If someone claiming to be from the Census Bureau contacts a person via email or phone and asks for one of these things, it is a scam, and individuals should not cooperate.

The 2020 Census online form is compatible with all Android and Apple smartphone browsers. To respond by phone, individuals should contact (844) 330-2020. Additional information about the 2020 Census is available at www.2020census.gov.