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Census Alert: Midcoast and Pescadero Have the Lowest Census Rates in SMCo

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LINKS. Happy Census Day,

As of today, San Mateo County continues to hold the #1 spot, by having the highest response rate by County for the state at 71.7% – Yay! San Mateo County continues to maintain the highest response rate in the State of California since April 21st (week 7).   We are also well above the California average of 62.1% and National average of 60.9%   Additionally,  the City of San Carlos (80.9%) is identified in California’s top 10 leading cities in high response rates.  Based on trends analysis, within the next few weeks, we will surpass the 2010 Self Response Rate .   But we have still much more to do to ensure ALL San Mateo County residents are counted. 

 

Go To 2020 Census:  Questions Asked on the Form 

 Attached you will find the report showing overall response rates by census tract and city, as well as demographic fact sheets for the 10 census tracts with the lowest response rates as of June 11th.  Although there are many areas that are performing well,  there are several communities (hard to count/vulnerable communities) that continue to have a low response rate.  We encourage you to review the geographical map provided to see the ten (10) lowest response rates by census track– areas include Pescadero, Montara,  EPA, East Menlo Park, DC, and NFO –a number of the low response areas are into in double digits below the current County average response rate.  A few of the coastal communities are nearly 25-40% below county average – Pescadero (28.4%) Montara (40.6%) El Granada (41.4%). Our team is monitoring the response rates closely and shifting approaches and tactics, while working closely with our funded providers to ensure we are reaching our hardest to count communities.

Over the past several weeks, our team continues to convene several “Special Meetings” with community partners, Elected Officials and city administrators from hard to count communities that are experiencing low response rates.   We used this platform to review low response rates by census tracts, brainstorm on alternative outreach methods, develop targeted outreach strategies, build outreach capacity, expand and re-engage community partners, engage faith-based community and local school districts into the discussion.  Shout out to all the cities, partners and elected officials that have participated in the calls, more importantly actively involved in making a difference in response rates in undercounted communities.   For example, East Palo Alto community partners, elected officials, faith based organizations and school district – together have been working very hard to increase participation and awareness through a variety of approaches and tactics.

The work of so many is not unnoticed, in fact, their efforts yielded the highest response rate across the state within a 7-day period of 0.7%.   Great Work EPA!!   There still is 28.3% (and in some areas much higher) of households that are not counted.   We can’t leave anyone behind.  

  • Last week the Census Bureau announced they completed distribution of the updated leave operations and all census questionnaires have now been delivered (ie. Pescadero, La Honda, etc..).  The Bureau is strongly encouraging anyone who completed the questionnaire WITHOUT 12-digit ID (ie. Pescadero, some coastal communities) to please resubmit the questionnaire with the 12-digit ID now provided. This will allow the Census Bureau to easily identify and verify their household.
  • As of June 8th, all Census Bureau Bay Area local offices have re-opening and fully operational.
  • San Mateo County’s Questionnaire Assistance Center’s are beginning to open and offer assistance with completing the Census questionnaire.  Our Office was able to provide plexi-glass sneeze guards to assist QAC’s.   A complete list with hours of operation will be available on our website soon.
  • Our Team continues to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute 15k Census flyers in all food boxes / meal distributions. 

Finally, here’s a glimpse of this week’s local talent we would like to share:

 

We encourage you to continue to create your own tailored videos and share through your network (ie. social media, NextDoor, print ads, newsletter, digital boards, direct mails, utility bill inserts, etc)  and help spread the word!!!   We Can’t Change Anything If We Are Not Counted!  Your Voice is Essential – Take the 2020 Census!  

Thanks again for your continued support.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Hope you find this information helpful.  We will continue to send it out every Friday, however you can view a daily  spreadsheet created by our team, Megan Gosch, here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ZZoCKIcPWaXU4dFu41volbLyW0B1yeP_ph-N2mpjJk/edit?usp=sharing or the US Census Bureau’s response rate map here: https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html​

Have a great weekend.  Stay well, stay healthy.

Emma Gonzalez

Community Affairs Manager

County Manager’s Office of Community Affairs

400 County Center, 1st Floor,  Redwood City, CA 94063

Phone: (650) 363-1938  | Email: [email protected] |

 

Questions Asked on the Form 

 

 

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