FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – As Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) continues, North Dakota’s census response rate is approaching 95%. The U.S. Census Bureau began visiting North Dakota households that have not responded to the 2020 census on July 30.
As of September 15, North Dakota’s census response includes:
- A self-response rate of 64.5 percent and has been steadily rising.
- Nonresponse Follow-up has visited 85 percent of households that had not responded.
- A total response rate of 92.8 percent.
“Missing just 1 percent of all households in North Dakota could cost the state $155,000,000 in lost federal funding. As of now, about 10 percent of households have not been counted. This group represents a potential loss to the state of more than a billion and a half dollars – if not counted by September 30th.
Census workers, or enumerators, are physically visiting non-response households with the intent of getting them to fill out the census. The 2020 census interviews take approximately10 minutes to complete.
All census takers are trained on social distancing protocols. Some important points about safety:
- The U.S. Census Bureau provides masks and requires all census takers to wear them while conducting their work. 2020 Census interviews are quick and can be done 6 feet apart.
- The following steps should be taken to verify the identity of a census worker.
- First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date.
- If someone has questions about an enumerator’s identity, they can contact the North Dakota state operations office to speak with a Census Bureau representative. That phone number is 701-561-5508.
Census takers will attempt to contact those living in North Dakota up to six times by knocking on their door before going to your neighbor’s house to find out how many people live in your house. The Census Bureau continues to ask for assistance with gaining access to apartment buildings. These units can be difficult to count because of restricted access.
It is very helpful if apartment managers work with census employees to allow them access to the buildings so they can visit the units that have not yet self-responded.
To take the census visit: https://my2020census.gov.