Census 2020: How Many Waltham Residents Have Filled It Out So Far

WALTHAM, MA — The 2020 census is underway, and residents of Waltham and others are responding to the federally mandated questionnaire even as the new coronavirus pandemic prompts U.S. Census Bureau officials to suspend field operations through mid-April.
According to the Census Bureau's self-response map, 40.3 percent of Massachusetts households have responded to this year's census either online, by phone or by mail. In Waltham, 41.9 percent of homes have responded. If it weren't for COVID-19, that number could be higher, said City Councilor Carlos Vidal who is also chair of the city's count committee, tasked with encouraging as many people living in Waltham to fill out the census.
"It's great, all things considered, but we could be doing better," he said.
Vidal, along with representatives from city organizations - from the school department, the chamber of commerce, the senior center, League of Women Voters, the housing authority, WATCH CDC to Latinos in Accion - had planned to plaster restaurants with fliers, and go door-to-door to get the word out about the importance of the Census this year.
But with that on hold, Vidal said he and the other leaders and organizers are hoping residents use their time staying home during the pandemic, filling out the Census.
"We need to encourage people to fill it out for many reasons - funding anything related to long term planning depends on it; roads, schools, hospitals, and even representation at the local level can be affected by it," said Vidal.

On April 1, a day dedicated to the Census, the city sent out a reverse 911 call reminding residents to fill it out.
Waltham’s population characteristics put the city at a higher than average risk for undercount in Census, according to a report by the secretary of state leading up to the census.
In 2010, the last Census, Waltham's population - then estimated to be around 60,859 - made up of 75.4 percent Caucasian, 13.7 percent Hispanic, 9.7 percent Asian, 6 percent African American and 2.5 percent two or more races. The numbers in that Census caused Ward 8 and Ward 9 to be redrawn.
The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census be taken every 10 years to count all people— citizens and noncitizens alike— living in the United States. The law requires an accurate population count, which then serves as the basis for fair political representation.
State population counts from the census are used to redraw congressional, state, and local district boundaries, the numbers are used to determine need (and thus funding) for new roads, hospitals, schools and infrastructure.

"The census has changed a lot from 10 years ago. You can respond online or by phone unless you request a form," said Vidal. "It's quick. In my family household of two it took 5 minutes."

Vidal said it's important for people to know that the information is not public.
"I've had folks tell me - they'll be concerned about renting an apartment. They may have two people on the lease, but four people live there, and they worry someone will tell the landlord. We're there to get the number of people live in the community," he said. "This does not go back to the landlord."
Census officials are encouraging everyone to respond to the survey online, a first for the census. In a move designed to cut costs and make it easier for respondents, the census questionnaire is available at my2020census.gov. If you can access the online questionnaire by using a 12-digit ID code included with their census invitation sent by mail.

Census takers are now scheduled begin in late May to visit households that have not yet responded to the questionnaire, provided the coronavirus outbreak allows.
The 2020 Census counts everyone living in the United States and its five territories. Find out more about how to respond to this year's census.
"I just want to tell everyone in the community to please take the census for our community," said Vidal. "Especially now since we have a lot of time on our hands, while we are at home social distancing."

This article originally appeared on the Waltham Patch