To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager
Title
Update: 2020 Census Update
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
Staff last provided Council an update regarding the 2020 Census in September 2019. With Census Day - April 1, 2020 - a little less than three months away, staff wishes to provide another update on efforts to date, as well as regarding future anticipated participation in this important initiative.
Discussion
The U.S. Constitution requires that the country’s population be counted every 10 years to determine the number of seats in Congress each state gets. The Census is also used for the redistricting of Colorado General Assembly seats, the allocation of Federal/State dollars and other purposes.
In preparation for the 2020 Census, Town staff has been working with the U.S. Census Bureau and Douglas County by providing information updates and by coordinating communications efforts.
Community Relations staff in October completed 2020 Census Partner training. The take-away from the training was that the Town was well-positioned relative to other communities with regard to planned Census communications efforts.
Staff from multiple departments in November also participated in the State Demography Summit and in the Colorado Complete Count Campaign’s social media training webinar.
Staff has completed a Town-specific communications plan related to the Census, which is in Attachment A. The plan calls for Census-related messaging across Town print and electronic media channels. Further, staff continues engaging with the Countywide Complete County Committee.
Responding to the Census will be easier than ever in 2020, as this Census marks the first time citizens will have the option to respond online, including from mobile devices. Responses will also be taken by phone and mail. Every home in the United States will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census by Census Day. The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to keep information provided confidential, and to use it only for statistical purposes.
Per Census Bureau data, the Town was the 14th-fastest-growing municipality with more than 50,000 residents between July 2017 and July 2018. Staff estimates the Town’s population is now over 70,000. The 2020 Census will provide a complete, accurate count of Castle Rock residents, and it’s important that the community fully participate in it.
Attachments
Attachment A: 2020 Census Communications Plan