Census takers are now working across all areas of Minnesota to visit households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. They’ll be knocking on doors from now through Sept. 30.
Luverne’s Vicky Henderson is one of the local Census workers helping to make sure all residents get counted. She said the work isn’t glamorous, but she’s committed to a thorough count.
“Every time another one is filled out, it feels like a victory,” she said. “This information is so important for our community.”
Henderson, like several other enumerators working in the community, wears a valid government ID badge with her photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date on the badge.
Census takers also carry with them official U.S. Census Bureau phones.
A complete and accurate count ensures communities receive their fair share of representation in Congress and the state legislature and their fair share of billions in federal funds distributed each year to state and local communities for many programs.
This includes funding for emergency response services, hospitals and clinics, schools, job training, roads, highways and more.
Local leaders are hoping 2020 is the year Luverne breaks the 5,000 population threshold.
Its current official population count is 4,745, and 5,000 is the threshold for many government programs that differentiate between “towns” and “cities.”
Communities considered to be “cities” qualify for more government funds and support.
Luverne officials formed the first-ever Complete Count Committee to bolster participation rates in the 2020 census.
In the 2010 census, 85 percent of Rock County’s residents and 89 percent of Luverne residents self- responded to the survey.
By getting all — or most — Luverne residents counted, there’s a good chance Luverne’s population will reach 5,000 or more.
In addition, Mayor Pat Baustian said recent growth in Luverne should add to the count.
“Luverne grew 2 percent in the 2010 census, and I was excited,” he said when the committee was formed. “Everyone else around us was down, and we were growing.”
City Clerk Jessica Mead chairs the Complete Count Committee and said the goal is education — that that census data is tied to government dollars for the community, and census data is secure and confidential.
“There are many barriers to participation, but statewide the top concerns are distrust in government and data security,” Mead said.
Since the committee was formed last year, it’s been working to educate residents that it’s safe to share their census data and it’s in their interest to do so.
Mead has been tracking response rates on the 2020 Census website. At first local residents led the state in self-response rates online, but lately Rock County and Luverne are falling behind.
As of Aug. 27, 76.7 percent of Rock County residents had responded to census questions. That compares with nearly 3 percent of Minnesotans. This means about one in four households statewide will need census taker visits.
“Rock County is still 1.7 percentage points below the 2010 self-response rate, which means we are showing an undercount,” Mead said. “An undercount means underfunding and underrepresentation for our schools, cities and county, and at the state and federal levels.”
Meanwhile, time is running out for all citizens to be counted.
The deadline to complete the 2020 Census for enumerators and self-response options is Sept. 30, 2020. Those who respond on their own will not receive a visit in person.
“The only way to ensure you are counted is to complete the Census online, by the paper forms you received, by phone or by working with the enumerator at your door,” Mead said.
Information about the CCC and the 2020 census is available on the City of Luverne website. Click on the “government” tab to find the “2020 census” link.