DeKalb to launch census volunteer recruitment effort Aug. 6

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson is calling for volunteers to help DeKalb County reach a 100 percent response rate on the 2020 Census.

During National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6, the DeKalb County Complete Count Committee will share information on how residents can sign up to volunteer and ensure that hard-to-reach populations in DeKalb are counted.

Johnson said at today’s Board of Commissioners meeting that a caravan of volunteers will travel throughout DeKalb during National Night Out to notify the public the census count officially launches on April 1, 2020.

“We have 200 volunteers who have signed up and we need more. Part of our job will be to let the public know that April 1 is the official date that the census starts–it’s not an April Fool’s joke,” said Johnson. “We need every person in the county to be counted.”

DeKalb could receive $985 million per year for 10 years, if it reaches a 100 percent response rate on the 2020 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.

For more information on how to get involved and volunteer, email 2020Census@dekalbcountyga.gov.