As of last week, just over 52% of Bayonne households responded so far to Census 2020. That is below the statewide response rate of 62 percent. Without a doubt, concern about the Coronavirus has prevented many people from focusing on the importance of the 2020 Census. The virus has hit New Jersey’s cities hard. Bayonne is one of them. We are in danger of being undercounted in the census. An undercount of Bayonne’s population could have a seriously negative impact on federal funding of health programs for us in the years ahead. As the Coronavirus has shown us, we will need government programs to be there for us when we least expect it.
Census 2020 will be a major factor in determining federal funding for healthcare, schools, transportation, hospitals, school meals, and senior services for the next ten years. By responding to Census 2020, you have the power to direct federal funding for those programs in Bayonne’s direction. Without your participation in Census 2020, our community will get shortchanged.
A low response rate here to Census 2020 will create funding gaps between Bayonne and communities with higher response rates. During this time of rising unemployment in America, Bayonne needs our fair share of federal assistance. We have great U.S. Senators and Congressmen in Washington to make the case for helping Bayonne. It will be easier for them to make the case for Bayonne if our population count goes up this year. When it comes to getting federal funding, having a rising population is better than having a falling one. Let’s make that growing number count.
Census Day was April 1; due to the Coronavirus, the deadlines for the census have been extended. Households that have not been counted yet can still respond, and we encourage you to do so. You can respond online by going to 2020census.gov. You can also respond by telephone by calling 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish). Several other languages are also available. Please remind your family and friends to respond, too. It takes only about ten minutes to get your household counted. Think of it as using a minute to get federal funding for each of the next ten years. Take ten minutes online or on the phone to help our city today. Bayonne is counting on you to get counted. You count and you have the power. Thanks for helping Bayonne.
