There is a lot at stake for counties in 2020. Many states around the nation have launched efforts to ensure census counts are accurate and complete. While Oregon is behind the curve, the pace is quickening. On April 1, Governor Kate Brown kicked off Oregon’s work around the census. In efforts to jumpstart an awareness campaign, she declared April 1, 2020 Census Day. This date is significant because since 1910, April 1 has been the reference date for the census, marking a point in time where respondents to the census should answer what county they live in most of the time.

What’s on the line?

Oregon should be fighting hard to provide accurate and full census data, because this data will impact the state’s representation in Congress and determine federal funding.

More Congressional Representation. According to a December update from the United States Census Bureau, from the last census count to July of 2018, Oregon’s overall population grew by 9.39 percent. The surging population puts Oregon in line to gain a sixth congressional seat. The census tally will be crucial for this determination.

Resources. Census data will inform how nearly $900 billion of funding is allocated, this includes funding for infrastructure, housing, schools, and key social service programs.

What is Oregon doing in Advance of Census Day (April 1, 2020)?

On April 3, Governor Brown convened the first meeting of the ‘Oregon Complete Count Committee’ (OCCC). The committee was created to guide Oregon’s work in ensuring a complete and accurate count on the 2020 census. To view current OCCC membership, click here. Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann and Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Legal Counsel, Rob Bovett serve on the committee as representatives for Oregon counties.

Over the next year, this committee will be working in a collaborative partnership with the United States Census Bureau. The goal for this partnership will be to maintain quality, reduce costs, and create a more efficient process with better use of information collected.

At its first meeting, OCCC reviewed timelines for making census resources operational and intentional public awareness campaign efforts.

What is clear is that extensive work needs to be done to ensure Oregon’s count is complete and accurate.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate