The 2020 Census requires that all households respond to a questionnaire about persons residing at their address as of April 1, Census Day. Prince George’s County is collaborating with the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure residents know what to do and when.
In 2010, the last time the census was taken, Prince George’s County had an estimated undercount rate of 2.3 percent, while nationally there was an overcount rate of about 0.01 percent, according to the Census Bureau.
The county and the City of Greenbelt are making efforts so that this year the results are better.
According to the Census 2020 website (2020census.gov/en/important-dates.html), in mid-March residents will receive by mail an official request from the Census Bureau, detailing how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by mail or by phone.
“When completing your census, count everyone who lives in your house on Census Day,” Greenbelt officials recommend. There is also a special effort by Prince George’s County to remind residents to count children below age 4.
Demographic analysis, implemented by the Census Bureau, estimated a net undercount of about 4.6 percent for young children in 2010, nationally. “This translates into a net undercount of almost 1 million young children,” according to a report by the bureau.
More information about the 2020 Census can be found at census.gov. Census Bureau statistics for Greenbelt can be found at www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/greenbeltcitymaryland.US/PST045218.
Brogan Gerhart is a University of Maryland journalism student interning with the News Review.