JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the sporting world has drawn to a standstill, how about a little bit of friendly competition, Census-style, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In between televised repeats of famous sporting events and enterprising athletic teams posting dueling TikTok videos, it’s about the only competition that exists during stay-at-home mandates.
So, why not have a bit of fun and challenge your neighbor, or neighborhood, to take part in filling out their Census report.
The Census is free and does not share your personal information with anyone. The information collected decides how much teachers are paid at early learning centers and how to prepare for an emergency like a pandemic.
“While you’re at home practicing social distancing, I want to remind you to fill out the US Census. It’s 10 questions and takes less than 10 minutes,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said.
The Census not only helps with funding for a pandemic but the money builds the roads and infrastructures we drive every day.
To date, only half of Floridians have filled out their census.
Locally, the race is on between Flagler and St. Johns counties, which lead the First Coast area in the self-response rate reporting for the 2020 Census.
Through Wednesday, St. Johns had a self-response rate of 52.1%, a bit in front of Flagler (51.4%). Clay was third among area counties at 49.5%.
If you’ve gone to the mailbox and continued to see pieces of mail asking for your participation to take part in the Census, don’t toss it to the side. They’re going to keep on coming through the end of the month. Don’t forget, the Census is required by law. Don’t respond and a Census interviewer could show up on your doorstep.
Five area counties are at or exceed the state’s self-response rate of 44.6%.
In News4Jax’s five-county South Georgia coverage area, Camden has a response rate of 44.4%. That’s just over the Georgia response rate as a whole (43.7%).
For information on the Census, including the easiest ways to respond, see here.
Census self-response rate for area counties
In percentages, through April 8
Florida
St. Johns, 52.1
Flagler, 51.4
Clay, 49.5
Duval, 47.5
Nassau, 44.6
Bradford, 41.5
Baker 41.1
Columbia, 40.2
Putnam, 38.1
Union, 37.3
Georgia
Camden, 44.4
Ware, 42.2
Glynn, 41.2
Charlton, 34.6
Brantley, 32.8