10 things to know about the U.S. Census, and why participation matters

If you've traveled a highway, crossed a bridge, applied for FEMA aid or your children get a free or reduced-cost lunch at school, you've benefited from the U.S. Census count.

Conducted every 10 years, the census — available online for the first time this year — helps determine funding for constants in everyday life, from libraries, community centers and Pell Grants to Medicaid and hospitals.

It shapes the maps of legislative districts. And helps determine how much money is available to house and provide warm meals to the elderly in your area. That's just a start.

Given that impact, participation in the 2020 census is critically important, say members of  Correct Count Brevard, a grassroots group of officials from county, city, town and nonprofit agencies who are determined to make sure no one on the Space Coast goes uncounted.

The count, of everyone living in the United States and its territories on April 1, has already kicked into gear — the official start of the census was Jan. 21 in southwest Alaska's Toksook Bay.

Across Brevard, census response rate in 2010 was around 78 percent. The 2020 goal: 80 percent.

It's an uphill battle — even more so this year with changes to the decennial count, less funding than ever and some (Census officials insist invalid) concerns about security, privacy or how the information will be used.

"Getting a complete count of every person is critical because 2020 Census results will have a huge financial impact on Brevard," said Rob Rains, United Way of Brevard president.

"The Census is an important part of the democratic process at all levels — local, state and national district boundaries and representation in the U.S. House of Representatives are impacted by the Census. It also affects how FEMA responds to our community after a disaster. It’s funding for resources that benefit the entire community.”  

Here's what you need to know about the U.S. Census, and why your participation matters.

1: Everyone counts.

By mid-March, expect an invitation by mail to respond online to the 2020 Census — around 95 percent of homes nationwide should receive them. Some households will also receive paper questionnaires. According to census.gov, "regardless of which invitation they receive, all households that have not yet responded will receive a paper questionnaire by mid-April."

A critical aspect of getting that correct count: reaching areas considered "hard to count," typically populated by lower-income residents, non-English speakers and the transient population. 

Those pockets are sprinkled countywide — in Cocoa, for example, along the Fiske Corridor between Fiske Boulevard and U.S. 1.

Rachel Horst, digital communications coordinator for the city of Cocoa, is a member of Cocoa's Complete Count committee and the countywide effort, too.

"We're really trying to get the 'influencers' in the community, those trusted people who have a following, to reach out in those hard-to-count areas," Horst said.

"They're the faith-based leaders. Leaders in the schools — I've asked our Partners in Education representatives to sit on our committee. Especially for the schools, with non-English speaking households, students are the translators for their families."

2: It's about fair representation.

Every 10 years, census results are used to reapportion the U.S. House of Representatives. 

"These statistics are important in reapportionment and in determining the number of seats that our state will have in our state's congressional delegation," said Steve Crisafulli, a Rockledge resident. Crisafulli, former Florida Speaker of the House, and Mike Haridopolos, former president of the Florida Senate, serve as co-chairmen of Correct Count Brevard.

Florida already jumped ahead of New York as the third-most populous state (behind California and Texas) and there's a chance the state could gain two more representatives with this census, bringing the total to 29. A big question would be: Where is that population growing? Democratic areas, or Republican? 

Central Florida, as the fastest-growing region in Florida, is a likely candidate for at least one of those seats, if it's indeed two, said Aubrey Jewett, political science professor at the University of Central Florida. The other would likely be in South Florida, he said. Depending on how legislative maps are drawn and the Fair District amendment, Jewett said, and assuming Republicans are in charge of the state legislature after the 2020 elections, he suspects those maps could reflect change benefiting the GOP.

3: The Census is in the Constitution, and it's your civic duty to respond.

That much-treasured document mandates that everyone in the country be counted every 10 years. The first census was conducted in 1790. 

And what happens if you don't comply? 

Census law, under U.S. Code section 224, states that you can get hit with a penalty of up $5,000 for not responding. You can also face a penalty of $10,000 for providing false information.

But PolitiFact reports that no one has been prosecuted for failing to respond to a survey since the 1970 census.

4: The Census means dollars for Florida: a share of more than $675 billion. 

Yes. That's more than $675 billion, as in close to a trillion. Based on the Census count, that federal money will be distributed via grants, direct payments, loans, and loan guarantees distributed annually to states and individuals. When the state is undercounted, that means fewer bucks for Floridians. Florida had the third-worst census participation nationwide in 2010, undercounted by an estimated 1.4 million residents and losing out on about $20 billion in federal funding.

Jewett is not surprised by undercounting, between typically hard-to-count groups and the fact that Florida's population shifts a lot. 

"We have people moving in every day, and leaving every day. There's net growth, but it makes it more difficult," he said. "Historically, when you look at census numbers, fast-growing areas are estimated to have more problems with an accurate count than places where people aren't moving, with an aging population."

The census is critical to all levels of government in Florida, Crisafulli said.

"There are a multitude of reasons, but most importantly an accurate accounting of our state's make-up provides for the necessary dollars that are passed down from the federal government to our state for things such as schools and hospitals to be placed appropriately," he said.

Too many people "see this as a political exercise," said Haridopolos, Florida Senate president from 2010 to 2012. But census data is "essential for funding," he said — for example, FEMA funds which are critically important in "a community that's always on alert" for hurricanes. 

"It's important that these funds make it into areas that most need it," he said.

In 2010, Kimberly Prosser was communications director for the county, and Brevard's 2010 census coordinator. Now, she's Brevard County Emergency Management director.

In terms of local emergency management, census numbers determine how much federal funding is received each year through the Emergency Management Performance Grant, "which covers a chunk of our operating funds," she said.

Census numbers are also important when it comes to federal disaster declarations, Prosser said.

"The dollar amount of damage sustained due to a hurricane or other disaster must meet certain thresholds in order to qualify for federal reimbursement for what the county, school board and cities spend," she said.

It would be disappointing and frustrating, Prosser added, "to see other communities receive dollars, programs and services that would benefit our county, if only we had been able to prove that we were eligible."

5: You'll be asked a few direct questions.

Lots of misconceptions about what's asked float around. 

Here's the bottom line: Participants will be asked for the number of people at the address in question. The name, sex, age, date of birth and race and ethnicity of each person in the home, and their relationship to the person completing the census. If any additional people are staying there. Whether you're an owner or a renter: Why does the Census need to know that? The stats on home ownership, for example, serve as an indicator of the nation's economy. 

You'll also be asked for your phone number, but you won't be called unless it's official U.S. Census business — and your number, officials stress, will never be shared.

You will not be asked about citizenship, a question dropped from the Census after the 1950 count. The Trump administration had requested that "Is this person a citizen of the United States?" be added, but the Supreme Court let stand lower court rulings and blocked the question from the 2020 Census.

Jewett expects despite all best efforts, immigrants new to Florida, especially those who don't speak English, will not jump to participate even though their community benefits.

"If you have a president who's made a priority of cracking down on illegal immigration and know people who've been deported, then you just might not trust the government," he said. 

6. For the first time, it's online.

Welcome to the 2020s. You'll receive a barcode in your invitation to participate, and can use that to access forms online.

Jewett expects that option to be used disproportionately by those 45 and younger to middle age, with many older seniors "a lot less keen on that." 

And, of course, news of data breaches and computer hacking make some wary.

So: Is it safe to fill out that census form online?

"Personal privacy is essential and we trust that all answers will remain private. However, with the rash of identity theft and political leaks it has clearly eroded the confidence of many Americans," said Haridopolos. "The Census Bureau's website outlines the steps they have taken to guarantee that privacy and I hope it is successful."

7: You may receive something in the mail which isn't a Census form, but says 'Census' on it — don't be fooled.

Richard Marino of Indialantic, a registered independent, recently received an official-looking document bearing the words "2020 Congressional District Census." As he and his wife, Deborah, looked at the black-and-white form, they found questions such as "Do you approve or disapprove of the Democrats' never-ending witch hunt to try to destroy President Trump?" It was not from the U.S. Census — and the small print at the bottom of the page confirmed it was paid for by the Republican National Committee.

"Sadly we are going to see politics play a role in this on both sides," said Haridopolos.

"Both Republicans and Democrats want to get their positive and negative points out there and when something looks 'official,' people are more likely to open it and read it as opposed to a typical political mailer."

So check carefully to see where any mailing originated. In Marino's case, it came complete with information on sending a donation and the words "Mr. Marino: Your Participation Is Urgently Needed."

8: The data will be used in areas you might not think about.

Grassroots groups and individuals in your community can use census data to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality of life issues and consumer advocacy.

The next time you use local transit, for example, think about this: Space Coast Area Transit gets census-driven dollars which equate to roughly $4 per citizen who rides SCAT, with that money used for new buses and shelters and other operations, said Don Walker, Brevard County spokesman.

The city of Cocoa's Purchase Assistance Program gets federal money and can offer eligible home buyers down payment, closing cost, and repair assistance, said Horst.

"In fiscal year 2019 ,the city allocated $400,000 for the program," Horst said. "Eligible participants can qualify for up to $32,400 in purchase assistance and up to $5,000 in repair assistance." 

In 2019, a portion of that allocation was used in partnership with Habitat for Humanity for Brevard County in Cocoa’s first-ever Veterans Village. 

9: Your privacy is protected.

The U.S. Census Bureau can't, by law, publicly release personal information in any way that would identify you or your household, or be used against you.

The data can be used only to produce statistics.

Straight from the Census Bureau: "Responses cannot be used against you by any government agency or court in any way—not by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), not by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), not by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and not by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."

Note: Census data does become public after 72 years. So in 2022, the 1950 census data will be placed in the National Archives, accessible by the public.

10: You can apply for a job with the 2020 Census.

The Census Bureau will use hundreds of thousands of people nationwide to work days, evenings and weekends in their own communities.

Most positions available are for enumerators, who knock on doors and do follow up at homes from which a census form was not received. In Brevard, those jobs pay $16 per hour plus mileage. To be considered, requirements include that applicants must be U.S. citizens and 18 or older, with a valid Social Security number and a fingerprint check.

With the low unemployment rate, though, thousands upon thousands of jobs are available nationwide. In Brevard, unemployment in December 2019 stood at just 2.7 percent.

“With flexible hours, these temporary census jobs are a great opportunity for college students, retirees or others looking to earn extra money," said Rob Rains.

For information on census jobs in Brevard County: https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.

Contact Kennerly at 321-242-3692 or bkennerly@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly

Want more news? Support local journalism and become a subscriber.