Historically, the census has undercounted Black populations—especially Black men and children. This miscount can be traced to racist Constitutional roots where each enslaved African American was counted as just three-fifths of a person. It is estimated that in 2010 the U.S. Census Bureau undercounted African Americans by 2.1%. Compounding matters in 2020, Black communities are experiencing disproportionate health and economic impacts from coronavirus.

Why the census matters

The decennial census is mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. The census aims to count the entire population of the United States and five U.S. territories.

The results of the census determine the distribution of an estimated $1.5 trillion in federal tax dollars to states and communities for health, education, housing, and infrastructure programs. Census results are used to help determine disaster response needs and plan for new hospitals, schools, and roads.

The census also determines political representation. The results determine each state’s share of congressional seats and Electoral College votes, and they are used to draw boundaries for state and local voting districts.

The census relies on households to self-respond by completing the census online, by mail, or by phone. The self-response rate is especially important in 2020 because of the pandemic. The census typically conducts in-person follow up with non-responding households, but these activities have been limited and delayed in 2020 due to the risk of COVID-19. Groups that have been historically hard to count are likely to have an even higher risk of being undercounted in 2020.

Hard-to-count groups

Many groups of people are at risk of being miscounted in the census because they are hard to count, including multi-family households, people experiencing homelessness, young children, immigrants, people of color, and those in dense urban areas or remote rural areas.

These populations may be difficult to physically find in order to complete the census form, they may mistrust the government, and they may experience technological or language barriers that make completing the census form more difficult. These groups were undercounted by more than 1.5 million in 2010, and today represent an even larger share of the population.

Complications from coronavirus

Coronavirus has made the 2020 census more complex, although the census faced significant challenges even before the pandemic. To try and get a more accurate count, the deadline for response was extended from July to October, but has now been cut short to September 30. Compounding the challenge, many hard-to-count groups are also those who experience disproportionate health and economic impacts from coronavirus—impacts that are likely to persist for many months.

In the past, in-person visits by census workers have helped improve participation among hard-to-count groups, but these visits have been delayed. When they resume, the COVID-19 pandemic may make people less comfortable interacting with census workers.

Community action

Many organizations are working hard to get full and accurate census counts in 2020.

Supported by the U.S. Census Bureau, Complete Count Committees (CCC) are volunteer committees established by tribal, state, and local governments and community leaders or organizations to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census. Find a nearby CCC here.

Philanthropists, specifically, can participate in the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation’s Funders Census Initiative 2020.