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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Daniel Barreiro, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: May 16, 2019
SUBJECT:
Establishment of a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 US Census.
PURPOSE:
To establish a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census. The Complete Count Committee will serve as the official body to develop strategies and conduct outreach for a complete count with the 2020 US Census.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora was contacted by the US Bureau of the Census in 2018 to establish a partnership and request the formation of a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 U.S. Census. In 2010, the City established a joint Complete Count Committee which developed strategies and coordinated outreach activities with local partners. Efforts targeted hard to count census tracts. At the conclusion of the 2010 Census, the City of Aurora's population increased from 142,990 based on the 2000 Census to 197,899. According to American Fact Finder the 2017, the estimated population of the city is 200,946.
DISCUSSION:
During the past year there has been much discussion about the 2020 U.S. Census. Many government entities are concerned with not having a complete count. An undercount can result in the loss of representation at the congressional level down to the local level. An undercount can also result in a loss of funds from the state level down to the local level. Many organizations are concerned that changes with the administration of the 2020 census can have an adverse impact on participation and a complete count. Census forms will not be mailed to residents. Instead post cards will be mailed to households with a code for accessing the census forms on-line. Also, the federal government has proposed the addition of a citizenship status question. It is still not known if this question will be on the form or not but this proposal has caused a stir and much concern on the adverse impact on participation levels. These two changes will present addit...
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