Kentucky’s response so far in the 2020 U.S. Census at 65% ranks it in the top third of states across the country. The process of collecting family data is set to change in a few weeks when door to door canvassers are scheduled to go out in Kentucky communities.
Helene Kramer-Longton with the Census is the media specialist for 146 counties in Kentucky and southern Ohio. Kramer-Longton cites Madison County when comparing response rates a decade ago and now. “If you look at the 2010 response for Madison County just using Madison County as an example, today Madison County today is ahead of where it was for the entire 2010 Census,” said Kramer-Longton.
Kramer-Longton says the digital divide is playing a role in lower Census responses in counties like Owsley and Leslie where currently they stand at 30 and 37% respectively. Kramer-Longton says Census takers will be using personal protective equipment and social distancing when door to door contacts are made beginning in August. Information gathered goes into making funding decisions for states in everything from transportation to health care to child care.
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