Gilmer County residents are not responding to Census 2020 as well as they did in 2010.
On the website 2020census.gov a map indicates the response rates by state, which can then be clicked through to county level.
Gilmer County’s self-response rate is 39.2 percent, according to the website. In 2010 it was 46 percent.
“It takes just a minute and it is important,” said Gilmer County Commission Chair Charlie Paris.
The United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 2, mandates a census of the population every 10 years.
Many people do not realize the importance of the census, Paris said. During most of his adult life, he said he was the same way. It wasn’t until 2010 that he really dug in and figured out what the census means for a county.
Basically, the population count and demographics for the census are used in almost every facet of life.
It is used to determine congressional representation, grant dollars, government funding and businesses use it, as well.
Even worse, if surrounding counties respond better and get their numbers up, funding can be adjusted to those places instead of Gilmer County.
“That will be a factor,” Paris said.
Most people, those who do not have a post office box, received a mailer with a website and a code to complete the census.
“Really, it was no big deal,” Paris said. It took him less than 10 minutes to complete.
“All of our rural areas are hurting,” said Gregory Sales with Census2020. “We would like to have them better than that.”
Pickens County’s self-response rate is 47.1 percent. Fannin County has a 31 percent response rate.
There are many ways to respond even if the person did not receive a mailer, Paris said. People can go online and respond, call the census bureau or even request a paper form.
“Just Google Census2020 and you will find everything you need,” he said.
If someone is still having trouble they can call the commissioners office for help.
Most importantly, those who complete the census now can avoid an in-person visit.