2020 Census – Why Self-Response Matters
Currently, Montana’s self-Response Rate to the 2020 Census is 42.8%. To achieve a correct count and quality information, a self-response rate for Montana closer to 75% is ideal. When you fill out the information for your household, the data is more accurate. If a Census employee goes to a household and fills out the form for the residents, the chances of mistakes on the form are much higher. There is also a greater chance a household may be missed.
It also requires many more tax dollars to have a Census worker fill out the form than self-response. In the 2010 Census, the cost to send employees out to fill-out forms was more than $2.01 billion nationwide with workers attempting to contact every housing unit up to six times. To meet its 2020 Census operational budget, the U.S. Census Bureau needs a nationwide response rate of 55% to 60%.
With the Census Bureau staff not resuming field operations until June, the MT CCC is working hard with partners to encourage all households to self-respond. You can do your part by making sure your family, friends and neighbors have completed the 2020 Census at My2020Census.gov.
2020 Census Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau is adjusting 2020 Census operations in order to:
- Protect the health and safety of the American public and Census Bureau employees.
- Implement guidance from federal, state and local authorities.
- Ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities.
Field operations will not resume until after June 1, 2020. Additionally, the Census Bureau is seeking statutory relief from Congress of 120 additional calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts to the President on April 30, 2021 instead of December 31, 2020.
Learn more here.
2020 Census Paper Questionnaires Mailed to Some Montana Households
This past week, the Census Bureau started mailing a paper 2020 Census questionnaire to homes that had not responded. While nearly half of all households nationwide and over 40% in Montana have responded online or by phone to the 2020 Census, some residents prefer to receive a paper questionnaire. Only households that receive mail delivery at their home would receive this mailing. Households receiving the paper questionnaire can still respond online or by phone, or they can return it by mail in the enclosed envelope.
 Complete the 2020 Census Now
Filling out the Census is quick, easy, and safe. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete and your information and privacy are protected by federal law.
The 2020 Census is now live and available to fill out online at my2020census.gov.
The 2020 Census can also be completed by phone in over 15 languages or by TDD:
 With the U.S. Census Bureau suspending all field operations until June 1 and potentially later, it means that households across Montana, especially those that are in rural locations or have a P.O. box, will not receive any Census material until the Census Bureau restarts their door-to-door operations. This does not mean that you should wait to fill out your form, because even if you have not received your invitation to participate and do not have your 12-digit Census ID you can still fill out your form now!
Steps You Can Take to Ensure a Complete Count for Montana
- Promote my2020census.gov and 1-844-330-2020 for people to fill out their Census form online or by phone.
- Post a picture with Census content on your social media to let your family, friends, and followers know that you were counted in the 2020 Census. Use the hashtags #MontanaCensus2020 #makeitcount
- Get involved with your community’s Complete Count Committee (CCC). CCC's are volunteer committees established within communities to increase awareness and motivate the public to respond to the 2020 Census. A map of CCC's in Montana can be found HERE.
- Include Census information in mailings that you're sending out. To request free materials be mailed to you contact us HERE.
- Talk about the Census and become a trusted voice on the importance of a complete count. As a community member that people trust, your support of the 2020 Census can help other people see the benefit of filling out their 2020 Census form.
- Distribute the Montana public service announcements (PSA) on personal or business social media platforms, websites, newsletters, or other digital communication channels.
IMPORTANT DATES
These events are current as of April 8, 2020, but are subject to change as the U.S. Census Bureau revises its operations in response to COVID-19. Check with event organizers regarding local events and go to 2020CENSUS.GOV for the latest U.S. Census Bureau operations updates.
March 12 – October 31: Self Response Phase
Group Quarters: April 2 but Extended to September 3, 2020
June 1: Resume Field Operations:
June 13 – July 9: Update/Leave
June 14 – July 29: Update/Enumerate
July 1 – September 3: In-person Group Quarters Enumeration
August 11 – October 31: Non-response Follow-up
April 30, 2021: Deliver to the President by April 30, 2021
Operations and dates for counting of those experiencing homelessness and those in Transitory Locations is still under review
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HELPFUL RESOURCES
IN THE NEWS
Residents of Montana encouraged to complete the 2020 Census for their health - MILES CITY STAR
Gallatin County wants everyone counted in 2020 census - BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE
2020 census is vital for Montana, higher education - MISSOULIAN
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT 2020 CENSUS OPERATIONS AND ENUMERATION?
To be routed to your local U.S. Census Bureau office Call
855-562-2020 select option 3, and enter your zip code.
Reach Out to a Montana Census 2020 Partnership Specialist.
Jeri Bucy
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: jeri.bucy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2227
Chance Gillette
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Chance.j.gillette@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-850-0199
Jihan Khalaf
Montana Partnership Specialist
U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Jihan.k.khalaf@2020census.gov
Phone: 406-439-3383
Colleen M. McCarthy
Montana Partnership Specialist U.S. Census Bureau
Email: Colleen.M.McCarthy@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 302-2226
For Media Requests Please Contact:
Josh Manning
Media Specialist
Dallas Regional Census Office, US Census Bureau
Email: joshua.manning@2020census.gov
Phone: (406) 422-6475
HAVE YOUR CENSUS NEWS PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER
Have you been working on community outreach for the Census? Or do you have a success story you'd like to share? Contact us HERE for a chance to be published in the next newsletter and have your next digital event displayed on the 2020 Census Events Calendar at CENSUS.MT.GOV.
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