With less than a month left to respond to the Census, Philadelphia lags behind the rest of the state in response rates.
The 10-year Census is used to determine funding allocation for many federal programs such as unemployment insurance, school breakfast programs and Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program.
As of Sept. 7, Pennsylvania has a self-response rate of 68.1 percent, meaning that many of its citizens responded themselves. Another 22.1 percent has been enumerated by Census takers themselves, meaning 90.3 percent of the state has been accounted for.
Numbers are lower in Philadelphia, with a self-response rate of 54 percent. In Northeast Philadelphia census tracts specifically, the average is above the entire city’s but below the state, at about 61.26 percent responded.
“Responding to the Census is a safe and quick process that will impact your community for the next 10 years,” said Census spokesperson Rachel Ortiz, who estimated it takes between five and 10 minutes to respond.
The Census also impacts things like library funding, after-school programs, Parks & Rec and road construction, Ortiz said.
Responses can be done online at My2020Census.gov, over the phone by calling 844-330-2020 or if a representative visits the household. The last day to respond is Sept. 30.
