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San Antonio Chamber: Too Many Residents Still Not Counted In 2020 Census

A U.S. Census worker goes door to door.
U.S. Census Bureau

The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce reports there are still a lot of residents who have not been counted as part of the 2020 federal census.

As of mid-July, only 59% of San Antonians had filled out their census form online, by phone or by mail.

The state response rate stood around 56%, and the national response rate was at 62%.

Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez said it’s vital everyone completes the census so San Antonio receives its fair share of federal funding and programs and services.

The city’s large undocumented population is encouraged to participate. Perez said all the information is kept confidential.

“Your personal information is protected by law and the data cannot be shared with any other government agency, including the IRS, the FBI, the CIA, ICE, or any state and local law enforcement agencies,” he said.

More than $675 billion in federal funds and trillions of dollars over the next decade will be attached to population counts, census officials said. Communities that are undercounted risk missing out on federal funding for an array of critical programs and services, including housing, transportation, health care, education and emergency response.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for accurate 2020 Census data. The Census Bureau is encouraging people to respond to the 2020 Census on their own so fewer census takers need to visit non-responding households.

The census can be completed online at 2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020. Census officials will start reaching out to homes that have not been counted in August.

Brian Kirkpatrick can be reached at Brian@tpr.org and on Twitter at @TPRBrian.

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