Census to call AWOL citizens in Pa.

Federal grant money and political power will be decided with population counts from the 2020 Census.

Yet, a third of Pennsylvania households appear to be opting out — so far.

In central Pa., responses have been as follows:

• Adams County: 75 percent
• Cumberland County: 75.6 percent
• Dauphin County: 66.8 percent
• Franklin County: 72.6 percent
• Lancaster County: 76.4 percent
• Lebanon County: 73.2 percent
• York County: 74 percent

Census takers will now call, email and send a second round of postcards to specific homes and neighborhoods with some of the lowest response rates in the state, officials said.

“We are deploying these tactics to make sure we reach every household in every community,” said Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham.

“If you haven't responded, the time to respond is now,” Dillingham said. “Responding to the 2020 Census online, on paper, by phone, or in person with a census taker, helps secure vital resources for your community."

Census counts are used by government agencies when distributing federal tax dollars for a myriad of programs from education to road construction. Population counts also determine the number of representatives to Congress each state is allotted and the number of electoral college votes awarded to Pennsylvania during a presidential election.

The 2020 Census is due to Congress by December. 

So, who's opting out?

Pennsylvania's 67% participation rate falls behind 16 other states. Response rates vary but are lowest in more conservative, rural parts of the Keystone State.

For example, Forest County ranks in the bottom 2% of all communities nationwide for participation, census records show. Just one in four households has responded to letters, postcards and public service announcements urging participation in the decennial count since April.

The last census of Forest found 1,016 residents and one quarter living below the federal poverty line. Residents of Forest County were more likely than others in the state to have a disability and are less likely to have a college degree or health insurance, according to federal estimates. 

Ten years ago, just 22% of Forest County responded to the 2010 Census. 

Pennsylvania’s highest participation rates are found in wealthier Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties, where 76% of all households have responded, census records show.

Soon, non-respondents will get calls on landlines and cellphones assigned with houses on a census address list, Dillingham said.

Emails will be sent to about 20 million persons nationwide, the government estimates. Such messages will come from the sender 2020census@subscriptions.census.gov

All electronic messages would end in a “.GOV” email address. Other emails could be scams. 

The federal population count has been dogged by misinformation, including false claims that census takers are searching for illegal immigrants.The federal questionnaire contains no question about citizenship.

Anyone who contacts you seeking financial information, political affiliation or your Social Security number is not from the U.S. Census, agency officials stressed.

If you suspect fraud, call 844-330-2020. If you spot false information about the census, contact rumors@census.gov.