Pasadena Census Response Rate Increases

The 2020 Census response rate for Pasadena has improved to 62.5 percent, according to the latest statistics.

The number is above the state and national response rates, and has increased by four percent from just three weeks ago.

“It’s more important now than ever before to complete your census,” said Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian. “During this pandemic crisis, vital services are helping the elderly, schools, healthcare and our vulnerable population that rely on funding allotted to these organizations and services based on our census numbers.”

The census consists of nine basic demographic questions: who lives in the household; how they are related; their age, sex, and race; whether they own or rent their house; and their phone number.

Population counts from the 2020 census will be used to determine how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets for the next decade. The data will also be used to help distribute nearly $900 billion in federal funding for such things as schools, roads and other public services.

In 2010 Census data was used to distribute more than $400 million to support local schools, transportation, housing, and healthcare programs.

Some immigrants and minorities have been hesitant because they feel answering the questions could lead to queries about their immigration status and a distrust of the government.

In 2019, the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from including a question about immigration status on the Census.

If those communities do not participate it could lead to an undercount, which the city says could be devastating.

The census can be completed online at www.my2020census.gov.