A Full Count of Santa Cruz County Residents Supports Funding for Local Services

April 1 was National Census Day! That’s right, there’s a day dedicated to help spread awareness on the importance of the Census. 

The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years, which helps determine billions in funding throughout the U.S. each year, including local funding in Santa Cruz County. Each county resident who is uncounted is a loss of thousands for local services, such as hospitals, emergency services, schools and roads. Census data also determines the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs legislative district boundaries. 

Community members are asked to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. You can respond online or by phone in English or 12 other languages. There are also 59 non-English language guides and videos (plus American Sign Language) available at 2020census.gov. 

Santa Cruz County’s response rate through March 30 is 38.5 percent, above the national average of 36.2 percent. Response rates are updated seven days a week, so that the public can see how well their community is doing compared to the nation and other areas. Click here to view a map that shows how your neighborhood is doing. You can also state up to date on how we’re doing in Santa Cruz County on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

It has never been easier to respond on your own — all without having to meet a census taker. This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing. 

When you take the Census:

• Respond for where you live as of April 1 (Census Day).

• Include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home as of April 1, even if they are staying somewhere else temporarily. This includes relatives, friends, roommates and anyone else who lives and sleeps in your home most of the time — even children under age five and babies born on or before April 1, even if they are still in the hospital.

• Count college students where they live while attending school. If they live on campus in university/college housing such as dorms or fraternity/sorority houses, they will be counted by school officials and do not need to respond. However, if they live off campus in private housing or apartments, they should respond to the census on their own using their off-campus address even if they are currently staying elsewhere.

• Find additional answers about “Who to Count” at 2020census.gov.

Those who have received a mailed invitation can use their Census ID (provided in the invitation), or just provide your address when you respond. Make sure friends, family and social networks know about the importance of responding and encourage them to complete their census. Responding now will minimize the need for a census taker to follow up and visit your home later this year.

For those needing assistance or access to a computer, a number of Questionnaire Assistance Kiosks are located throughout Santa Cruz County. For a map of locations and other information on local census efforts, go to www.santacruzcountycounts.us.