The census can shape many different aspects of our community. Each year, the results help determine how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities. It’s also mandated by the Constitution: The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790.
Join your community and complete your survey by Census Day, April 1, 2020 and help Baltimore County receive federal funding in many critical areas including, but not limited to:
- Education
- Public Safety
- Addiction Treatment and Prevention
- Job Training
- Housing Assistance
- Business Loans
- Medical Research
- Disability Services
- Children's Health Insurance
- Food and Nutrition Programs
- Programs for the Aging
- Transportation
- Water and Waste Disposal
Keep in mind to that certain demographics including children under 5 years old, the unemployed, people 65 years and older and college students are often not counted. These groups use important programs such as Head Start Funding, School Breakfast Programs, Unemployment Insurance, Medicare Supplemental Medical Insurance and Federal Pell Grant Programs. No matter who, everyone counts.
Our Growing Community
A complete count is more important than ever as our community continues to grow. In 2000, there were 754,292 residents living in Baltimore County and 80 percent completed the census. In 2010, our resident population increased to 805,029, but the Census completion rate dropped by 2 percent to a 78 percent completion rate. In 2020, it's projected that our population will increase by 12 percent since 2010, totaling 847,000 residents. Of the predicted County population, 25 percent includes residents 60 years or older. A segment that is particularly reliant on federally funded programs.
Baltimore County loses $1,800 per person
who goes uncounted.
Completion Rate Influences Funding
It is estimated that our community loses $1,800 per person who goes uncounted. This includes babies and small children. If 20 percent of our population goes uncounted in the 2020 Census, Baltimore County will lose $305 million per year in federal funding.
This year, for the 2020 Census, our goal is for 90 percent completion.
It's Private and Secure
Completing the Census is safe. Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your household, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. You are kept anonymous: The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you.
3 Easy Ways to Respond - Mail, Phone and Online
You can help Baltimore County reach our 90 percent completion goal and improve funding to your community by responding to the 2020 Census. Your invitation to participate will be mailed on or between March 12-20, 2020. You can respond by mail, telephone and now online.
For more information, visit www.2020Census.gov.
Additional Information
This project has been financed in part with State funds from Maryland’s 2020 Census Grant Program. Project content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the State of Maryland or any of its instrumentalities. Baltimore County’s complete count efforts are led by the County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr., Chair and County Administrative Officer Stacy L. Rodgers, Co-Chair.
For more information specifically about Baltimore County 2020 Census activities, contact us at 2020census@baltimorecountymd.gov.