We Count, Kansas City: Take the Census

Everyone counts in the 2020 Census! Now is the time to make sure everyone is counted in the Census.

Census results shape the future of communities. The data collected informs how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed for public transit, disaster recovery initiatives, health clinics, school lunch programs, and other critical programs and services for the next 10 years. The Census also determines how many congressional representatives each state gets. And state and local officials use the data in redistricting processes to draw representative boundaries for federal, state and local districts.

Census Takers at RideKC Stops in September 

Census takers were at transit stops throughout September to help count of everyone living in Kansas City.

Census takers ask the following: 

• How many people were living or staying at the household on April 1, 2020
• If the home owned or rented, and if it is a house, apartment, mobile home, etc. 
• Telephone number 
• They will also ask the following for each person in a household: name, sex, age, date of birth, race, and Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin. 

Why Take the Census 

“Getting accurate numbers from the Census is critical to ensure this region is getting its fair share of federal funding for essential services, for everything from public transit to COVID-19 emergency support,” said Dick Jarrold, senior vice president of strategic planning and development.

Approximately 51% of the federal government’s 5307 Urbanized Area grants for public transit are tied to population. That’s an estimated $8.3 million for the Kansas City area for transit. This provides funding for capital projects, transportation planning, job access and reverse commute projects.

For people who haven’t filled out the Census yet, there is still time to make sure they are counted. To take the Census, follow the instructions that were mailed to you, or go to my2020census.gov.

Key Census Facts from Kansas City, Mo.

Completing the Census is safe. Census Bureau workers take a lifetime oath to protect confidentiality and the Census Bureau ensures that the data identifying respondents or their household not be released or shared for 72 years. The Census will not ask your citizenship status, Social Security number, or for payment of any kind.

Completing the Census is easy. In March 2020, the Census Bureau will send postcards to most households with instructions on how to participate online. You can also respond via phone or mail. Filling out the Census on your own time means that you don’t have to wait until a census worker knocks on your door. There are just seven questions and the Census should only take about 10 minutes to complete.  

Completing the Census is important. When we secure an accurate census count, we ensure that our communities get their fair share of the more than $675 billion available annually in federal funding for schools, hospitals, infrastructure and more. For example, Kansas City, Mo., estimates that approximately $4,700 every year in federal funds are allocated per each household in Missouri.

Impact for 2020

A 2020 undercount similar to the 2010 Census would result in the loss of $48 million in the Kansas City region for 16 federal programs:

Loss in Kansas 
Allen County — $216,999
Johnson County — $10,589,859
Leavenworth County — $1,552,851
Miami County — $541,728
Wyandotte County — $4,740,120

Loss in Missouri
Cass County — $2,130,501
Clay County — $5,243,883
Jackson County — $20,555,355
Lafayette County — $657,105
Platte County — $2,154,564
Ray County — $451,644

Sources: CensusKC2020.org, KCMO.gov, Census.gov