2020 Census Response Rate In Fredericksburg Area

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — County and other counties and cities across Virginia are responding to the federally mandated questionnaire even as the new coronavirus pandemic prompts U.S. Census Bureau officials to suspend field operations through mid-April.

According to the Census Bureau’s self-response map, though, only 37.8 percent of Fredericksburg households have responded so far to this year’s census either online, by phone or by mail. The city's response so far is below the entire state, where 40.3 percent of residents have responded to the census.

Unlike Fredericksburg, residents in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties are doing better than the state average. In Stafford County, 45 percent of residents have completed their 2020 Census questionaire, while in Spotsylvania County, 45 percent of residents have responded to the census so far.

The 2020 census kicked off March 12, and most households in Virginia were to receive invitations and information by March 20 on how to complete this year’s questionnaire.

As of March 31, 34.7 percent of households nationwide have responded to this year’s census, according to the self-response map.

The U.S. Census Bureau designated April 1 as Census Day, a key reference date for the 2020 census, not a deadline. "When you respond, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020, and include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home," the Census Bureau said. "You can respond before or after that date. We encourage you to respond as soon as you can."

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Virginia as they happen. Sign up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

The U.S. Census map, which shows the percentage of people who have responded by state, county or city, is updated daily.

Last week, Census Bureau officials said they were suspending all field operations until April 15 amid concerns over the growing coronavirus pandemic. Officials previously announced they were suspending field operations until April 1.

“The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone who will go through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions,” officials said in a statement.

Census officials are encouraging Americans to respond to the decennial survey online, a first for the census. In a move designed to cut costs and keep up with digital lifestyles, the census questionnaire is available at my2020census.gov. Americans can access the online questionnaire by using a 12-digit ID code included with their census invitation sent by mail.

Census takers will begin in late May to visit households that have not yet responded to the questionnaire. Officials said they plan to monitor the evolving coronavirus outbreak and adjust census taker operations if necessary and accordingly.

The 2020 Census counts everyone living in the United States and its five territories. Learn more about how to respond to this year’s census.

RELATED:

• 2020 Census Response Rate In Fairfax County
• Arlington 2020 Census Response Rate; Bureau Suspends Field Work
• How Can College Students Participate In Census 2020?