Ever since 1790 the United States has conducted a census to count every resident living in the nation. This count informs everything from the number of seats each state is entitled to in the House of Representatives to the boundaries of school districts and the allocation of nearly $700 billion in federal funding to state and local governments annually.
Cumberland County, recognizing the critical importance of the census, took on early lead by establishing one of the first countywide Complete Count Committees in the state. The committee is named for the ultimate goal – to achieve a complete 100% count of every resident in the county. In the last U.S. Census in 2010 it was calculated that only 72% of the county’s residents were counted in the census. This meant that 28% of our county population lost representation and we all lost our fair share of Federal funds for roads, schools, social services and the dozens of programs that are supported with Federal dollars.
In an effort to get closer to the goal of a 100% count, the county is working to identify those communities and individuals who are the hardest to count. Challenges such as limited English proficiency, limited income or even lack of internet access can make a household a difficult one to reach. This is why in Cumberland County a variety of efforts are being made to reach every neighborhood. Thanks in large measure to the County Office on Aging, Cumberland County is building a Census mobile response vehicle with internet capability, which can set up anywhere and in any neighborhood to allow residents to hop on and complete the online response form in a few minutes. Information on the census is being provided equally in English and Spanish (and is available in over 20 languages) to reduce language barriers and to be responsive to the county’s growing diversity. Programming is being planned for schools and religious congregations, and the county is actively working with partners like the Boys & Girls Club and Inspira Health Network to get the word out on the importance of a complete count.
Residents should be receiving official instructions on the mail in March. Completion of the Census can be done online, over the phone or by mail. For those households who have not responded by late June, individuals from the U.S. Census Bureau, referred to officially as “enumerators”, will be knocking on doors to collect census information in person.
The end result will be a count of the residents of Cumberland County and the whole nation which will inform Federal decisions for the next decade. Please do your part to be counted. Complete the response form starting in March either online, by phone or by mail. Check with your neighbors to make sure they have done the same. If you have not, and an enumerator knocks on your door, welcome them and take the few minutes to provide the information they need. We all need to do our part to ensure Cumberland County achieves a complete count. The Cumberland County Department of Planning is leading the census effort. If you have any questions, give them a call at (856) 453-2175 or visit cumberlandcountynj.gov/census.
Pictured from left to right: Omarey Williams - Census Committee, Cassandra Rodriguez - Census Committee, Freeholder Carol Musso, Freeholder James Quinn, Matt Pisarski - Planning Department Head
Not pictured: Sharon Mollick - Census Committee