Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Census response deadline has been extended to late October. Salisbury residents are still asked to respond as soon as possible via the Census website at
2020Census.gov.
Data received from the Census affects communities for 10 years. With $675 billion federal dollars at stake for things like schools, road construction, hospitals, workforce initiatives and substance abuse programs, Rowan County still has a long way to go to ensure it secures its fair share.
“For many Census cycles, Rowan County, and specifically Salisbury, has been undercounted in the Census due to lack of response,” said Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander. “There’s no doubt that we all could have benefited from the money that would have been allocated to us based on an accurate count of our population. So when we see trailers at schools, lack of
funding for job
programs and
substance abuse prevention assistance, we know that is a direct correlation to the previous Census response rate. The money follows the numbers, not the need.”
Governor Cooper set the 2020 state response rate minimum at 82%. Salisbury’s response rate currently sits at 55.3%, below Rowan County’s rate of 58.4% and near equal to North Carolina’s rate of 55.9%.
Although Census Day was on April 1, it’s not too late to help shape Rowan County’s future by having everyone in your household counted as part of the 2020 Census. Even if
you have not received a
postcard in the mail,
please log on to
2020Census.gov
to complete
the form
online today.