Maine is currently among the states with the lowest response rates
to the census. This is no surprise, given that as of May 4th, over 100,000 Maine households had not yet received their census forms. For many rural parts of Maine, these forms are hand delivered by census takers. Because of the pandemic, the Census Bureau had to make changes to its delivery schedule and processes.
As of May 19 th
, Maine is just shy of the 50 percent mark for response rates to the 2020 Census. However, Cumberland is the only Maine county to exceed the national average response rate, with approximately 60 percent of households having completed their census form. The other Maine counties that have rates above 50 percent are – Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, and York. Piscataquis county has the lowest response rates in the state with 28 percent, followed by Franklin at 32 percent. The Penobscot Nation has a 39 percent response rate. For up-to-date response rates, by state and county, you can visit the Census Bureau’s Response Rate Map.
On May 6th, the Maine Area Census Office resumed the Update Leave (UL) field operation
, which is responsible for the hand delivery of census forms. Households in the Update Leave category either have only post office boxes with no physical address, or they are in areas so rural mail is not delivered to their address.
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Source: Portland Press Herald
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The census field staff recently underwent training on practicing all social distancing protocols and will wear official personal protective equipment for their safety and the safety of the public. Additionally, when census takers deliver materials to households, they will be leaving them at front doors, so the process should remain contactless. This process should conclude in Maine by the end of May. Those waiting to receive their census form by this method, are encouraged not to wait, and respond online or by phone
. The 2020 census will determine how much federal funding states and localities receive each year for the next 10 years. Young children are an especially hard-to-count group. And when kids aren’t counted, communities don’t get their fair share of federal dollars for programs and services like Head Start, school lunch, public health insurance, housing, and child care. Every child missed in the census will cost Maine $15,000-$20,000 of federal funds over a decade. And that will shape their future for the next 10 years.
With so much riding on a complete and accurate census count this year, it is critical that we all do our part. Fortunately, it has never been easier to complete the census – either by mail, by phone, or online
. And even though the census is based on where you lived April 1st, if you haven’t filled it out yet, it's not too late. You can complete your census form while you’re staying safe at home with family right now. It only takes about 10 minutes, and your participation will help make sure everyone counts in the 2020 Census!
Source: Portland Press Herald
[/caption]
The census field staff recently underwent training on practicing all social distancing protocols and will wear official personal protective equipment for their safety and the safety of the public. Additionally, when census takers deliver materials to households, they will be leaving them at front doors, so the process should remain contactless. This process should conclude in Maine by the end of May. Those waiting to receive their census form by this method, are encouraged not to wait, and respond online or by phone
. The 2020 census will determine how much federal funding states and localities receive each year for the next 10 years. Young children are an especially hard-to-count group. And when kids aren’t counted, communities don’t get their fair share of federal dollars for programs and services like Head Start, school lunch, public health insurance, housing, and child care. Every child missed in the census will cost Maine $15,000-$20,000 of federal funds over a decade. And that will shape their future for the next 10 years.With so much riding on a complete and accurate census count this year, it is critical that we all do our part. Fortunately, it has never been easier to complete the census – either by mail, by phone, or online
. And even though the census is based on where you lived April 1st, if you haven’t filled it out yet, it's not too late. You can complete your census form while you’re staying safe at home with family right now. It only takes about 10 minutes, and your participation will help make sure everyone counts in the 2020 Census!