While efforts continue to count residents across the state and nation in the 2020 Census, Ventura County has achieved a significant milestone. To date, all cities across the County have surpassed the self-response rate recorded in 2010, with many cities recording a 5-point increase or higher than the response rate recorded a decade ago.
“This is an exciting achievement for our County especially in the midst of the COVID-19 response efforts, said Mike Powers, County Executive Officer. “Prior to COVID-19, it was reported that our County would be difficult to count, so it’s incredible that we not only overcame but exceeded expectations. Now is the final stretch to make it count! Now more than ever, it’s especially important as our community is responding to, and recovering from, the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. We hope that as the Census enters into the last week of the response period that we continue to see these numbers grow.”
Of all the counties across California, Ventura County is currently ranked 4th in the state in terms of self-response rate for the Census. Nationally, Ventura County is ranked 166th out of 3,215 counties for self-response. Prior to the start of the 2020 Census, due to the significant hard-to-count population in the region, Ventura County was considered the 59th most difficult county to count out of all counties nationally.
The Census serves as an important tool that determines how billions of dollars in federal funding are distributed to local communities. The funds support early education programs, health services like Medicare, and fund infrastructure projects such as road repairs. As well, the information collected from the Census serves as an important source of data for businesses that helps them determine where to invest their resources.
“I appreciate the dedicated work of the Ventura County Complete Count Committee in helping to achieve this goal during a time when gatherings and other planned events could not take place, added Powers. “The innovative efforts of our team and the commitment of the community have helped move us forward”.
September 30 is slated as the final deadline to respond. Residents can continue to respond to the Census until that date. Those who still need to take the Census can visit www.my2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020. By phone, assistance is offered in 13 different languages. As well, residents are also still able to mail in the hard copy Census form that they have received by mail.
