ATLANTA – State Representative Penny Houston (R-Nashville) urges local government officials, organizations and citizens in Berrien and Cook counties to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. As of July 5, the overall response rate for Berrien County is 48.5 percent, and Cook County’s response rate is 49.5 percent.
“I want to thank the households who have participated in the 2020 U.S. Census so far, but we have a long way to go to ensure that our rural communities receive the assistance they deserve through important programs like the CARES Act,” said Rep. Houston. “As many of our citizens already know, this census data determines the amount of dollars our cities or counties receive from numerous federal programs, and it also determines the distribution of sales tax. The national response rate for the U.S. Census is currently 62.1 percent, but House District 170 is lagging behind. I want to urge the citizens of Berrien and Cook counties to complete the simple online census form so we can reach a 100 percent response rate.”
Additionally, the governor’s office recently released projected CARES Act Phase 1 disbursements based on previous and current census totals for unincorporated portions of Berrien and Cook counties. Based on the 2010 U.S. Census response, Berrien County unincorporated could receive nearly $600,000 in CARES Act funding. However, if the Berrien County census response remains at 48.5 percent, the county would receive approximately $293,000 in such funds. Likewise, Cook County unincorporated could receive more than $460,000 in CARES Act Phase 1 funding based on 2010 population totals. If Cook County’s response rate remains at only 49.5 percent, the unincorporated areas would only receive $266,200.
Beginning August 11, the U.S. Census Bureau’s enumerators are scheduled to start going door-to-door to all non-responsive households throughout our nation. To ensure the health and safety of all who reside in the state, Rep. Houston encourages constituents to complete the census before that time. Georgians have until October 31 to respond to the census, but citizens are encouraged to respond as soon as possible.
The 2020 U.S. Census count determines certain funding formulas and allocations for federal programs, such as the CARES Act, that may benefit citizens in House District 170. Each year, Georgians receive loans, grants and services valued at more than $40 billion from 316 federal programs that use census data as a part of their funding formula. Many of these programs provide health care, housing and social services, as well as fund infrastructure initiatives. Some programs that utilize the U.S. Census count include Medicaid, Medicare Part B, federal school lunch programs, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
This census also impacts Georgia’s representation in the U.S. Congress. Due to the last three census counts, Georgia has gained four congressional seats, which were lost by other states in order for Georgians to gain more representation in the U.S. Congress. State House and State Senate Districts are also redrawn based upon census data.
Cities in Berrien County have the following response rates: Alapaha, 27.8 percent; Enigma, 31.9 percent; Nashville, 51.6 percent; and Ray City, 42.2 percent. Cook County cities have the following response rates: Adel, 48 percent; Cecil, 31.4 percent; Lenox, 34.9 percent; and Sparks, 37.8 percent.
For more information on the 2020 U.S. Census, please click here.
Representative Penny Houston represents the citizens of District 170, which includes all of Berrien and Cook counties and portions of Tift County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 1997 and currently serves as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development. She also serves on the Banks & Banking, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Economic Development & Tourism and Ways & Means committees.
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