Opinion

DeKalb mayor: 'Disappointed' in 2020 Census response rate so far

I recently responded to a resident who was concerned that the City’s response rate to the 2020 Census was lagging behind other nearby communities, including most municipalities in DeKalb County.

There are a number of reasons, in my opinion, why that’s the case. But, interestingly, our response this year – just short of 68% - is about the same as it was during the last census in 2010.

Regardless, I am disappointed with our response number. Especially given the fact that the on-line mechanism for self-responding has made it so much easier than a decade ago.

I am disappointed that our marketing efforts, working in tandem with DeKalb County government and NIU officials, have not been as successful as we had hoped.

As I indicated in my reply to the query, I am disappointed that some of our faith community has not rallied to the call, often directly from me, in spreading the gospel about the importance of the Census. Frankly, many congregations are comprised of folks who benefit most from the numbers – figures that determine just how many federal dollars are shipped back to communities like DeKalb.

DeKalb, more than most communities, has been seriously impacted by the fact that many of the students who would have been here on April 1 had departed due to COVID. That, coupled with the decrease in enrollment over the past 10 years, presented us with a double whammy.

I guess what disappoints me most is that many of the folks who have made up this community’s changing demographic over the last decade are the very same residents who often don’t trust government. Recent events involving immigration raids and the Black Lives Matter movement may very well have added to this distrust.

I’m told that in DeKalb, the three lowest self-responding tracts are the Annie Glidden North neighborhood, off-campus housing areas on West Lincoln Highway and in NIU on-campus dormitories.

At this point, it appears that self-response to the Census will be completed on September 30.  After that date, enumerators will be canvassing neighborhoods and knocking on doors in an attempt to clean up the count.

Kudos to those at the City, County and NIU – joining numerous organizations working as our Complete Count Committee – for their efforts during  the past many months.

We need to ratchet up the effort. We need those who have not responded to do so as soon as possible. To those who have completed the 2020 Census, thank you! The long-term financial benefits will be significant for all of us.