The Census and Seniors
March 9, 2020
by Jody Moss
2020 marks the year of the Decennial Census. Many of us elders are familiar with the Census – the count of our entire population which occurs once every 10 years. Wikipedia says “a census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population.” On January 21st the Census officially began in the rural Alaskan village of Toksook Bay Alaska.
My memory from the last Census in 2010 is that something came in the mail, my husband and I filled it out and mailed it in. Maybe you had someone come to your door who completed a Census form with you. Maybe there was a neighborhood push to get information. And for hard to reach populations there has always been an extra effort. The big goal here is to get an accurate count of everyone.
The Census results are used to determine the number of representatives each state and locale is apportioned in the House of Representatives. It is used to distribute billions in federal funding for essential programs, infrastructure, and community development that goes to cities and states. If an undercount occurs, our state may lose not only these financial resources, but we may lose access to government representation. And here is the crux of the issue … The need for the funds for programs/infrastructure/community development doesn’t go away because of an undercount, only the representation and the funds go away.
This year the Census is a little different. Actually it is a BIG different! And that is because this year the primary way to respond to the census will be through the internet in an online process. “So what?” the technologically active older adult says.
But what about the 27% to 38% of those of us over 60 who reportedly do not use the internet. That is as many as 18 million nationwide, and 20,000 to 30,000 in the 4 count region served by Olympic Area Agency! We older adults are now considered a “hard to reach population.”
We also now have a healthier dose of distrust for the government (no matter what your political stripes), and we are less inclined to respond. And we do not trust phone calls, letters, or people at our doors. And for good reason – too many scammers out there, and fake calls, and fake offers. So all that is bad news for the Census, and bad news for us.
Here is what is posted on the Washington State, Office of Financial Management website: www.ofm.wa.gov/census2020 (I know, another website, but not a fake one.)
- Your 2020 Census responses are safe and secure and protected by law.
- The Census Bureau will not share your responses with any court or other government agency including the FBI, ICE or the Department of Homeland Security.
- For the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will NEVER:
- Email you
- Ask for your full Social Security Number, your mother’s maiden name, your bank account information, money, or anything on behalf of a political party.
- Ask to come into your home.
- Threaten you with arrest if you do not comply.
- If someone approaches you and does any of the above, do not respond and report them to the local police.
In Clallam and Jefferson, we older adults are a significant portion of the population and we are growing. If “Gen Silver” (Generation Silver) is not well counted, this could mean a reduction in the percentage of Older Americans Act funds. Those funds pay Congregate Meals at Senior Centers and Home Delivered meals that allow seniors to age in place in their homes; fewer dollars to support the unpaid Family Caregiver, which many of us will be at one time or another in our lives. An undercount may shrink the Medicaid funds which in addition to providing health care services for people who are low income also supports in home care for low income older adults. And an undercount could reduce the funds that are available to help pay for low income energy assistance.
So now you all know why it’s important. Here’s what you need to know now. In mid-March, Household will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the Census online, by mail, or by phone. Some households will also receive paper questionnaires. April 1st is officially Census Day nationwide. By this date, all known households should have received an invitation to participate. Between May and July, Census takers will be visiting homes that have not previously responded to the Census.
Here are some other random Census facts from various websites, including PRB.org, Milestones and Moments in Global Census History:
I, like many other planners across the country and across many industries, use Census data in my work all the time, and cannot wait for the data to be updated with 2020 information. Those of us who are data dependent (also data nerds) begin to go through withdrawal around the seventh year following the last Census, because so much of the data becomes old and possibly inaccurate.
In 2016, Washington State receive $16.7 billion in federal funds, $8.5 billion for Health Programs, $2.4 billion for education, $1 billion for transportation, and $.5 billion for rural assistance – That last one is us!
The United States Census of 1790 was the first census of the whole United States. It recorded the population of the United States as of Census Day, August 2, 1790, which found the total US population to be 3,929,214, counting households in the 13 original states. 650 US Marshalls and assistants were delegated to take this count traveling by horseback and taking 18 months to complete.
In 3800 BCE, the Babylonian Empire took the first known census, counting livestock and quantities of butter, honey, milk, wool, and vegetables. (PRB.org)
In 2 CE, China’s Han Dynasty recorded the oldest surviving census data, showing a population of 57.7 million people living in 12.4 million households. Chengdu, the largest city, had a population of 282,000. (PRB.org)
While not a census in the strictest sense of the word, the Domesday Book in 1086 surveys English landowners and their holdings, forming the basis for the tax system implemented by William the Conqueror. (PRB.org)
Between 1250 and 1270, the Mongols took a census of captured Chinese, Russian, and Asian territories to demand resources from conquered peoples in exchange for a peace treaty. They used the resources to conduct further conquests. (PRB.org)
In 1400, without a written language, the Incas used a system of knots on strings made from llama or alpaca hair to record census data and administer their empire. (PRB.org)
Between the 1700s and 1800s, European colonialist nations like England, France, and Denmark avoided conducting censuses of their own countries due to opposition from the nobility, who feared losing power to the central government. The story was quite different when it came to their colonies in the Americas, the Caribbean, and Iceland, however, where censuses were used to promote growth and keep the colonies under control and well-taxed. (PRB.org)
In our own country enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person until after the Civil War (1861-1865), and Native Americans weren’t counted at all until 1860. (PRB.org)
Between 1850 and 1860, anti-slavery campaigners use data from two consecutive U.S. censuses to build support for abolition by showing that the number of enslaved people in the United States is rising—contrary to arguments made by pro-slavery politicians. (PRB.org)
Historically many governments used a census to tax people or conscript soldiers. Today, our census does neither, but instead, is confidential, and guides legislative representation, and funding for development.
Be an advocate for the Census…Please. Encourage your fellow Silvers to respond to the 2020 Census survey. And by the way – there are temporary jobs available with the Census by visiting: https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html – I know, another website!
Jody Moss is the Director of Contracts Management & Planning for the Olympic Area Agency on Aging and can be reached at 360-379-5064. For help with senior or adults with disability questions call Information and Assistance at 360-452-3221 in Clallam and 360-385-2552 in Jefferson.