In their fifth meeting, the Daviess County Complete Count Committee set a goal for a 90 percent local return rate of the 2020 U.S. Census. In the last two Census years, 2010 and 2000, Owensboro had an 82 percent response rate.
Although the Census is months away, a committee made up of representatives from across the community, has been working well in advance of the national rollout. Accomplishments of the group include a marketing campaign and logo design, literature creation and several community outreach initiatives.
“We are well positioned, but we still have a lot more work to do,” said Complete Count Chair Keith Sanders of the Hager Foundation.
Sanders said there is not another county in Kentucky as far along as Daviess County. But with the upcoming Census being the first time that citizens can respond online, officials are unsure what response rates will look like next year.
“2020 is a wild card because people don’t have to fill out a form at home. They can do it at their work desk or on their phone,” said committee member Chad Gesser.
Committee members will pay particular attention to Owensboro’s lowest reporting areas, which include the northwest sector of downtown and the Apollo High School area. Previous Census data indicates these areas have 23 to 25 percent non-response rates.
Committee members discussed many ideas for ways to increase Census participation including an appearance in the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade, neighborhood block parties and partnering with churches.
“This is a can-do community,” Sanders said. “There’s plenty of evidence of that.”
