Newport Designated 'Hard To Reach Community' In 2020 Census

NEWPORT, RI — The city of Newport is pushing for an accurate count in this year's census. Identified as a "hard to reach community," the city was awarded $13,000 from the state's census fund to help in the effort.

Accurate census numbers are extremely important, the city said in a release, as they are used in the allocation of federal funding for schools, social services and Congressional representation, as well as helps state lawmakers shape policy and priorities.

"Though Newport’s demographics have not changed dramatically in the last decade, school projections have shown steady growth among the City’s Spanish speaking community," the city said in a release. "The grant award will allow the City’s Department of Planning & Economic to work in partnership with Conexión Latina Newport along with other community advocacy groups to develop and implement an outreach campaign to reach populations that could otherwise be left under-represented, especially within the Spanish-speaking community."

The funding will be used to hold four events at community centers around Newport to educate the community about the importance of the census as well as answers questions and address concerns. City officials are working with Conexión Latina Newport, which was formed to serve Spanish-speaking residents, to coordinate the events, which will feature food, childcare, gift cards and raffle baskets.

At the events, residents can learn more about becoming a census enumerator, a part-time position of canvassing neighborhoods to help find those who have not been counted. Spanish-speaking enumerators are especially needed.