Census Bureau has people going door-to-door to boost low response rate in Orleans
The U.S. Census Bureau has staff going door-to-door in Orleans County, trying to get residents to fill out the Census.
Orleans has a low response rate to the census so far. Only 51.6 percent have filled it out. The county’s neighbors have a higher rate. In Niagara, it’s 68.3 percent; in Genesee, 62.2 percent; and Monroe, 65.2 percent.
The state-wide response rate is 59.1 percent.
The Census Bureau says the survey is quick to fill out, taking 5 to 10 minutes.
The survey s done by law every 10 years. An accurate count is important for communities so they receive their fair share of state and federal dollars. The census is also used to draw the boundaries in legislative districts.
Census officials are also working in partnership with local organizations to host events in public places where there will be assistance filling out the census.
The census will be collected until Sept. 30.
Households can still respond now by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire they received, by responding online at 2020census.gov, or by phone at 844-330-2020.
