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Why are certain groups
traditionally undercounted?
Underrepresented populations are referred
to as “Hard to Count.” These hard to count
populations fall into four main categories:
hard to locate, hard to interview, hard to
contact, hard to persuade. Populations
that often fall in this category include
young children, highly mobile persons,
racial and ethnic minorities, non-
English speakers, low-income persons,
persons experiencing homelessness,
undocumented immigrants, persons
who distrust the government, LGBTQ
persons, persons with mental or physical
disabilities, and persons who do not live
in traditional housing.
Ensuring representative inclusion for all
populations is vital to our community and
residents. When national censuses miss
members of “Hard to Count” populations
it can lead to skewed demographic
estimates, underrepresentation within
government, and inefcient allocation of
public and private resources.
Debbie Deleon, Manatee County
Neighborhood Services Coordinator,
said: “An accurate Census count allows
residents of Manatee County to receive
their fair share of federal funding that
helps fund important programs such
as: Medicaid; Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP); Housing
and Community Development Programs;
School Breakfast Program, Head Start;
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF); Pell Grants; Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
and Children (WIC); Aging Programs,
Workforce Programs, Public Transit, etc.”
Are Census
responses confidential?
All responses to Census Bureau surveys
and censuses are confidential and
protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code.
Under this law, the Census Bureau is
required to keep respondent information
confidential. The results can only be
reported in statistical format. Additionally,
under Title 13, U.S. Code, all Census
Bureau employees swear a lifetime oath to
protect respondent data. It is a felony for
any Census Bureau employee to disclose
any condential census information during
or after employment, and the penalty
for wrongful disclosure is up to 5 years
imprisonment and/or a ne of $250,000.
Furthermore, the U.S. Census Bureau
will never share a respondent’s personal
information with immigration enforcement
agencies, like ICE; law enforcement
agencies, like the FBI or police; or allow it
to be used to determine their eligibility for
government benets. The results from any
census or survey are reported in statistical
format only.
What is the 2020
U.S. Census process?
Beginning the middle of March, you’ll
receive either an invitation encouraging
you to respond online or an invitation
along with a paper questionnaire. Most
areas of the country are likely to respond
online, so most households will receive a
letter asking you to go online to complete
the census questionnaire. Areas that are
less likely to respond online will receive
a paper questionnaire along with their
invitation. The invitation will also include
information about how to respond online
or by phone.
All participants will have the option of
responding online, by mail, or by phone.
Households that don’t respond in one of
these ways will be visited by a census
taker to collect the information in person.
Every census employee should have
an official US Census badge. If the
homeowners have concerns, they can
call the 800 number on the card they
receive and ask if Census ofcials are
enumerating in their area.
How can Manatee County residents help
to ensure that we get the most accurate
Census data possible for our community?
Deleon urges all residents to go online
and ll out their Census form accurately
and to the best of their ability after they
receive their invitation. She continues, “Let
others know the importance of the census
to our community and encourage family,
friends, neighbors and other community
members to ll out their census form. By
ling out your 2020 Census Questionnaire
you can do your part in making Manatee
County a better place to live, work and
play. Let’s #MakeManateeCount!”