Census takers begin visiting Boone County households

(COLUMBIA, MO) - The U.S. Census Bureau announced that census takers will begin following up with households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. Boone County is part of the Kansas City area census office where census takers began visiting households Thursday, July 16. 

Census takers can be easily identified by a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date on the badge. If any member of the public has concerns and would like to confirm the identity of someone at their door, they can call 312.579.1500 to speak with a Census Bureau representative.

Census takers are required to complete a virtual COVID-19 training on social distancing protocols and other health and safety guidance before beginning their work in neighborhoods. They will also follow local public health guidelines when they visit.

All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If they do not speak the resident’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does. Residents may also complete the census online or by phone in 13 languages.

If no one is home when the census taker visits, they will leave a notice of their visit with information about how to respond online, by phone or by mail. Households can still respond now online at my2020census.gov, by phone at 844.330.2020 or by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire they received in the spring.

The census impacts many parts of life, including community funding, business opportunities and government representation. Federal agencies use census results to distribute hundreds of billions of dollars in funds each year. In fiscal year 2016, Missouri received more than $16 billion through federal spending programs guided by data derived from the 2010 Census. Low participation in the 2020 Census could have substantial negative consequences for the state and county. For every adult and child that is not counted, Missouri loses an estimated $1,300 in federal funding per person, per year for 10 years.

Columbia and Boone County have a partnership called Boone County Counts to promote the census. Follow the efforts of the Boone County Counts partnership on Facebook and Instagram at @BooneCountyCounts or on the website at BooneCountyCounts.com.