COG is supporting the region’s final push to encourage participation in the 2020 Census, which will be completing enumeration operations at the end of the month.
COG’s Census Work Group of local government and nonprofit members, which has been communicating and sharing information on their activities regularly over the past year and a half, recently collaborated on a video featuring the region’s chief elected officials. In the video, the officials remind residents of the upcoming deadline and the importance of an accurate count for addressing community needs and planning for a more equitable future. The work group has also been a venue for members to discuss the many ways they have adapted outreach efforts and messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Top row: Mayor Muriel Bowser, District of Columbia; County Board Chair Jeffrey C. McKay, Fairfax County; County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, Prince George's County; County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County; County Board Chair Libby Garvey, Arlington County; Bottom row: County Board Chair Phyllis J. Randall, Loudoun County; County Executive Jan Gardner, Frederick County; Board Chair Ann B. Wheeler, Prince William County; Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II, Charles County; Mayor Justin Wilson, City of Alexandria.
The current regional self-response rate of 71.7% is slightly ahead of where it was at this time a decade ago (71.2%) despite disruptions caused by the pandemic. Nevertheless, area officials are committed to increasing the rate further and ensuring that everyone, especially historically undercounted groups, is counted.
In addition to promoting census participation, area leaders have also called on Congress to take action to address continued census challenges and support a complete and accurate count. In August, the COG Board called for an extension and additional census funding from Congress in response to the administration’s decision to end enumeration operations early.
In March, COG hosted a virtual conversation on Facebook Live with a panel of local elected officials, community representatives, and the United States Census Bureau to help answer questions from residents about the census.
Earlier regional efforts have included work with WMATA and other employers to spread awareness on the importance of the census through PSA ads, workplace initiatives, as well as a forum focused on interventions in hard-to-reach communities.
Local Government Census Resources
District of Columbia
Town of Bladensburg
City of Bowie
City of College Park
Charles County
City of Frederick
Frederick County
City of Gaithersburg
City of Greenbelt
City of Hyattsville
City of Laurel
Montgomery County
Prince George's County
City of Rockville
City of Takoma Park
City of Alexandria
Arlington County
City of Fairfax
Fairfax County
City of Falls Church
Loudoun County
City of Manassas
City of Manassas Park
Prince William County