Census – City and Borough of Juneau

As you’re social distancing, respond to the 2020 Census online or over the phone

Right now, everyone can and should respond to the 2020 Census, either online at 2020census.gov or by calling 1-844-330-2020. The consequences of the census are more important than ever. Funding for public health, emergency response, hospitals, and economic development comes straight from the Census count. Do your part to ensure Juneau gets the resources it needs.

As of today, April 9, Juneau’s response rate is 45 percent. That’s good, but Juneau can do better; a decade ago, Juneau’s self response rate was 60 percent.

What is the Census?

The census is a short questionnaire that asks basic information about your household and the people who live in it. Your personal responses are confidential and cannot be shared with other government agencies. The government uses the population count to divide up political representation and to determine where to spend resources. Responding to the 2020 Census will ensure that Juneau receives its full share of federal funding for programs and local public services for the next 10 years.

Do I need a Census code to respond online?

Nope, you don’t need a code to respond to the census online. If you received a Census ID in the mail, feel free to use it — but not every household will receive one and it’s not required. To respond without it, go to 2020census.gov. Click the Respond button, then the blue button that says “Start Questionnaire.” Below the entry field for a number, there is a link that reads, “If you do not have a Census-ID, click here.” Click it and you’ll be taken straight to the 2020 Census. It takes about 10 minutes but means 10 years of impact.

Remember, respond to the 2020 Census by visiting 2020census.gov or calling 1-844-330-2020 if you don’t have internet. Help Juneau by staying home, washing your hands, and ensuring critical resources for the future.

April 9th, 2020|

2020 Census is just around the corner

It’s been a long winter, but the days are finally starting to feel longer. Spring is around the corner and, with it, new adventures. Also just around the corner is the 2020 Census. Starting March 12, you’ll be able to take the once-in-a-decade count online at 2020census.gov.

Mark the day in your planner, make an alert on your phone. Taking the census is just as important as signing up for the PFD. Taking the census ensures that Juneau receives its full share of federal funding for local programs and public services for the next 10 years.

Things like firefighting, housing assistance, free lunches in schools – these depend on federal resources that are allocated based on census data. Every Juneau resident counts, including you.

February 28th, 2020|

Recommended listening: A primer on the 2020 Census

The 2020 Census kicks off in Alaska later this month. This Alaska Public Media Talk of Alaska episode is a good and interesting primer on the census, explaining things like what the census is, why it’s vitally important for local communities and the state, and why Alaska is counted first. Listen here:

“The U.S Census happens just once a decade and it kicks off in Tooksok Bay, Alaska in mid-January. Getting an accurate count of all Alaskans is critically important for billions of dollars in federal funding and drawing political jurisdiction lines. It determines how much money the state gets for infrastructure projects, federal student loans, and even meals on wheels.”

CBJ is a part of the Complete Count Committee in Juneau. An accurate community count will ensure Juneau gets its full share of funding for local public services. Schools, healthcare, law enforcement, firefighting, roads and infrastructure, airport maintenance – all of these things depend on federal resources that are allocated based on census data.

(Photo by Heather Holt)

January 7th, 2020|

2020 Census prep activity officially kicks off in Juneau

Address Canvassing for 2020 Census started in Juneau on Sunday, August 18 and will continue through mid-October, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Address Canvassing helps ensure an accurate and complete count by verifying where houses, apartments, shelters, and other residences are located.

Census takers in the field will attempt to knock on every door in the neighborhood they are canvassing. In Juneau, address canvassing is taking place in the areas highlighted in green. 2020 Census field representatives conduct their work between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

If you are visited by someone from the U.S. Census Bureau, here are some tips to assure the validity of the field representative:

Census takers must present an ID badge that includes a photograph of the field representative, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.
Note that census workers may be carrying a Census Bureau phone or a laptop as well as a bag with a Census Bureau logo.
If you still have questions, call the Area Census Office in Anchorage at 206-830-3500 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.

The 2020 Census officially starts counting people in 2020. Residents of large Alaska cities will start receiving invitations in the spring to respond online, by phone, or by mail.

For more information on address canvassing, visit the Census Bureau website, watch Address Canvassing for the 2020 Census, call the Area Census Office in Anchorage at 206-830-3500, or email the Census Bureau Los Angeles Regional Office, which serves Alaska, at [email protected].

August 19th, 2019|