Census response falling behind in Mon Valley towns

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in these uncertain times.

I just wanted to reach out and remind everyone about the importance of the 2020 Census. Historically, the Mon Valley region has been under-counted, impacting funding for schools, roads, emergency services and other vital resources.

While Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties are reporting higher response rates than the national average, we are unfortunately seeing low counts thus far in municipalities in the Mon Valley.

National response rate: 42.8 percent

Pennsylvania response rate: 44.3 percent

County response rates:

• Allegheny: 47.2 percent
• Washington: 44.6 percent
• Westmoreland: 47.6 percent

Municipal response rates:

• Braddock: 27.8 percent
• Charleroi: 33.2 percent
• Donora: 33.4 percent
• Duquesne: 32.6 percent
• East Pittsburgh: 31.1 percent
• Elizabeth Borough: 36.8 percent
• Elizabeth Township: 55.7 percent
• Glassport: 34.1 percent
• Homestead: 30.4 percent
• McKeesport: 33.9 percent
• Monessen: 41.3 percent
• Munhall: 41.9 percent
• North Braddock: 28.6 percent
• North Versailles Township: 41.0 percent
• Monongahela: 40.8 percent
• Pitcairn: 29.8 percent
• Port Vue: 44.4 percent
• Rankin: 31.7 percent
• Swissvale: 40.6 percent
• Turtle Creek: 33.5 percent
• West Mifflin: 49.2 percent
• West Newton: 56.3 percent

Self-reporting deadlines have been extended from July 31 to Aug. 15, but it’s not clear yet how the Census Bureau will be handling in-person follow-ups after that date. It is going to be especially challenging to complete an accurate Census given the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

Please do what you can to spread the word about filling out the Census online, through the mail or over the phone, and if you haven’t yet taken the 2020 Census, please do so.

For more information, visit the Census Bureau’s website at www.2020census.gov.

—Grant Cole, MVI community outreach specialist