Rockland Officials Beg Last Residents To Fill Out Census

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Given the economic devastation caused by the new coronavirus pandemic, Rockland County will need all the federal funding it can get.

But there are still more than 36,000 households that have not responded to the 2020 Census and that would translate into a loss of $364 million annually to Rockland, county officials said.

So with the deadline coming up Sept. 30, Census staff have started knocking on doors of households across the county that have not yet responded to the Census.

Census staff will be wearing face masks and have been trained in all social distancing protocols for conducting in-person interviews. Residents will be able to identify Census Bureau staff by their official ID badge. A Census taker’s identity may also be confirmed by calling 844-330-2020.

"More than $675 billion is distributed annually based on Census data and those dollars go directly towards programs our residents depend on, like health insurance, infrastructure, schools and nutrition support," County Executive Ed Day said. "Funds determined by Census numbers also benefit our hospitals, healthcare centers and disaster recovery programs; programs that all too recently have been severely impacted by both the COVID-19 pandemic and Tropical Storm Isaias. I cannot emphasize enough how vital it is to be counted before this new deadline, so that Rockland County can receive its fair share."

Rockland residents are urged to complete the Census online at my2020census.gov, or by calling:

• 844-330-2020 (English)
• 844-468-2020 (Spanish)
• 844-477-2020 (Haitian Creole)
• 844-467-2020 (TDD for residents who are hearing impaired)

For additional language assistance, the Census Bureau’s Language Support Center offers information and guides in 59 non-English languages, including American Sign Language.

“If you complete the Census online or by phone, then there will be no need for a Census employee, known as an enumerator, to visit in person,” said Rockland County Complete Count Committee Co-Chair Myrnia Bass-Hargrove. “There are just 12 questions that can be answered in 10 minutes, and you can complete the Census from the comfort of your own home while observing social distancing protocols.”

To respond to the Census or learn more about how to respond, visit 2020Census.gov.