Census Workers Begin Canvassing Gloucester Township Neighborhoods

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Last week, U.S. Census takers began visiting homes of Gloucester Township residents who have not yet responded to the 2020 Census, according to township officials.

The canvassing began a month after township officials urged residents to self-report as part of this year’s Census. As of July 16, Gloucester Township — a township of more than 63,000 people, had a response rate of 68.4 percent, according to officials. Read more here: Gloucester Township Urges Residents To Fill Out The Census

Census workers canvassing the neighborhoods will wear masks and follow local public health guidelines to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. All Census takers have completed virtual coronavirus training on social distancing and other health and safety protocols before beginning their work, officials said.

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Census takers have been hired from the Gloucester Township area, and their goal is to help everyone be counted in the 2020 Census. If the Census taker does not speak the language of the person whose home they are visiting, the resident may request a return visit from a Census taker who does speak their language.

If no one is home when the Census taker visits, they will leave a notice of their visit with information about how to respond online, by phone or by mail.

The U.S. Census warns that there are scammers out there looking to take advantage of the situation, and has even put out guidelines for residents to stay safe as Census workers go door-to-door.

First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. If there are any lingering questions about a worker’s identity, residents can call 844-330-2020 to speak with a Census Bureau representative.

Census workers have already begun visiting homes that haven’t yet responded, and the final deadline has been moved up from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Read more here: Census To End Count A Month Early In New Jersey

See related: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know