Today is the LAST DAY to participate in the 2020 census!
Here’s how you can make sure you are counted:
YOU MATTER, GET COUNTED
National Census Day was on April 1st, yet many residents in DC still have not taken the Census. In fact, the percentage of households that have taken the Census as of April 24, 2020, is 49.9%, which is behind the national count of 52.8%.
Map of DC showing Census response rates by Census Tract.
In Ward 1, while the response in some census tracts is above the citywide average (especially true for neighborhoods west of 16th Street), several census tract counts are significantly behind. It is important for every single resident to be counted for many reason – significant reasons being that the Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year for roads, schools, hospitals, fire departments, and school lunch programs – including federal spending related to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts.
Ward 1 Census response as of April 24, 2020
Below is the data for Ward 1 census tracts. I have bolded the response rates below the citywide average. I have also indicated tracts by ANC and neighborhood to help identify where these tracts are located. The following map will also help.
Map showing the location of census tracts in Ward 1.
The current citywide response rate is 49.9%
How You can Participate
To take the census online, all you have to do is go to https://2020census.gov/en.html and answer a few questions related to the people living at your address on April 1, 2020. The list of 17 phone numbers to respond by phone (for multiple languages and TDD) can be found at https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html
Here are some important things to know before you get started.
How do I follow the response rate for my neighborhood?
It is easy to get updates on how the Census is going. Here’s how:
Thank you to everyone for your participating in the Census. The few minutes you dedicate to the Census today will result in support and funding critical to our community both in the immediate future and for the next ten years!
Map showing where DC's population is concentrated by Ward based on 2010 census data
After many months of waiting, the 2010 census results for the District of Columbia were finally released yesterday. Perhaps the most surprising thing for anyone familiar with the data in the recently released American Community Survey (ACS), despite the ACS’s indication that Ward 1 was the only ward to decrease in population, the 2010 census in fact shows a healthy growth in Ward 1 and a decrease in population in Ward 8. Ward 1 increased by 2,833 residents and Ward 8 lost 215 residents.
Closer to home, census tract 32, which encompasses all of Park View east of Georgia Avenue, increased to 4,913 from 4,480. This is a 9.7% increase in population and brings the number of residents in Park View to a level not seen in over 20 years.
Now that the numbers are in, the redistricting process can begin. As we learned in late December 2010, DC’s population grew from 572,059 in the 2000 census to 601,723, an increase of 29,664 residents. In an ideal world, each of the District’s 8 wards are supposed to have roughly the same population, making the average ward size 75,215 people.
The redistricting law requires each ward to be within 5% of the average. That means a ward could be as large as 78,796 people or as small as 71,455. In looking at the data released yesterday, the populations by ward are currently:
A quick review of the population data shows that three wards are outside of the 5% allowable variance — Ward 2 (which is over) and Wards 7 & 8 (which are below). The map below quickly shows the Wards needing to be adjusted (in orange).
Map showing DC Wards not within 5% of the average in orange
What isn’t clear yet is how the new ward lines will be drawn. Wards 7 & 8 need to grow in population and area while Ward 2 needs to shrink in both population and size … but these three wards aren’t contiguous (in that 7 and 2 don’t share a border). While I can come up with a scenario that leaves the boundaries of Wards 1, 3, 4, & 5 as they are, I think Ward 6 is going to have to be in play to bring Ward 7 within the 5% variance.
And if redistricting the Wards isn’t enough fun, once that is set the Advisory Neighborhood Commission boundaries will need to be similarly adjusted.
Early tracking of the census returns for Park View show that Tract 32 is on par with participation in Petworth, ahead of Columbia Heights and Pleasant Plains, and lagging behind Crestwood. To check the level of participation, the 2010 Census has developed a nifty map which you can access here. Just type in a zip code, zoom in, and you can see how locations throughout the U.S. are doing.
2010 census participation for Tract 32 (Park View) as of 3/30/10
While I’m encouraged by how Park View residents have responded compared to neighboring locations, I know we can do better as a neighborhood. A lot of federal money is tied to census results. I also firmly believe that this will be the first year since 1950 that we see an increase in population for the area. Growing populations are better able to attract businesses and services which I know many people want.
The deadline to mail in your form is tomorrow, but I’m sure if you send it a day or two later it will still be counted … so take ten minutes, fill it in, and make sure Park View gets every penny we deserve.
The 2010 Census forms have started to arrive in local mailboxes. The 2010 census form is designed to tack about 10 minutes to fill out the Census Bureau claims it’s among the simplest in history.
While this Census is important overall, it is critical to Park View. The neighborhoods population has been declining since 1950 — which means fewer and fewer federal dollars have been spent in the community. This year could be the first year Park View registers an increase in population in over 50 years — and that would mean an increase in federal funds.
I think Ceclia Jones put a fine point on the importance of the Census with the following statement:
Why is it important that everyone in our community is counted? Census 2010 determines the allocation of federal funds for:
- Metrorail
- Hospitals
- Public Schools
- Job Training Centers
- Senior Centers
- Bridges, Tunnels, and Public-Works Projects
- Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Services
Park View populations from previous censuses
Why does it always seem like resources in our area are stretched too thin? One reason is that Ward One’s Census 2000 poor response rate has affected the flow of government funds to needed services. Let’s not make the same mistake this time. We can act now or complain later. Even un-counted community members will require services listed above. Wouldn’t it be great if there were appropriate funding, based on accurate counts?
For every person in Ward One who is not counted, thousands of dollars will be “left on the table,” not just in 2010, but every year for TEN YEARS!!! Also, for every household that does not mail the Census form back, the Census bureau will have to pursue additional steps to attempt to count the household’s members, including additional mailings and in-person visits by paid census-takers. These additional steps come at a cost, and we, the tax-payers, pay the bill. Help spread the word to your neighbors and household members–don’t throw the Census form away with the junk mail. Fill it out and mail it back. I just filled out mine. It really was pretty easy!
Want to avoid scams? Need more information? Please visit the 2010 Census Bureau’s website: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/
Want to get more involved? There will be at least a few more Census 2010 outreach events. Please participate–help spread the word!
"The territory comprising Park View extends from Gresham Street north to Rock Creek Church Road, and from Georgia Avenue to the Soldiers' Home grounds, including the triangle bounded by Park Road, Georgia Avenue, and New Hampshire Avenue" (from Directory and History of Park View, 1921.)
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Park View, D.C. 