Residents urged to complete 2020 Census

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson

DeKalb launches ‘It’s Not Too Late’ to be counted

DeKalb County is launching the “It’s Not Too Late” campaign to inform residents that they still have time to complete the 2020 Census.

Currently, 49.2 percent of DeKalb’s households have completed the 2020 Census in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond is pushing for 100 percent of county households to complete the census questionnaire.

“If every household is counted, DeKalb County could receive $1.8 billion in federal funds annually for the next 10 years,” Thurmond said. “This funding will help DeKalb determine where healthcare and emergency services are needed so our front-line heroes can continue to serve our community.”

The “It’s Not Too Late” campaign includes an unprecedented effort by the county to contact every resident who lives in historically hard-to-count census tracts to help the residents with completing their 2020 Census.

DeKalb County employees will make over 200,000 telephone calls as part of the new push.  All DeKalb County employees have been vetted, undergone background checks and are trusted members of the community, officials said.

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, who is heading DeKalb’s efforts,  says the outreach is needed because the responses received on the 2020 Census determines DeKalb’s future.

“The 2020 Census determines where and how our kids will learn, play and live,” Commissioner Johnson said. “We want DeKalb’s kids to have the brightest futures and it all starts with their parents responding to the 2020 U.S. Census.”

Johnson was unanimously chosen by the Board of Commissioners to chair the DeKalb County Complete Count Committee. The goal of the committee is to ensure accurate Census data is collected, which in turn will provide information critical for government programs, policies and decision making.

To complete the 2020 Census online, go to My2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020.

For more information about DeKalb County’s 2020 Census efforts, visit www.dekalbcounts2020.org or email 2020Census@dekalbcountyga.gov.