Macomb County response passes 2010 figures
Future plans include targeted digital ads, mobile home community outreach
Macomb County recently surpassed an important milestone when it “clearly” passed the number of people who completed filling out their census forms in the last census in 2010.
In 2010, 75.4% of residents in the county were able to successfully respond to the census. So far this year, 76.8% of the population has finished its paperwork with several months to go before the October deadline.
“We’re on track to clearly exceed our 2010 decennial numbers and we have a great path forward,” Ernest Cawvey, who is spearheading Macomb’s census efforts, told the county Board of Commissioners this past Thursday.
Commissioner Don Brown, who chaired the board’s government oversight committee, was pleased to hear the achievement.
“We look forward to a big number when all is said and done,” Brown said.
Cawvey, director of Macomb Community Action, said some promotional events designed to publicize the census had to be revised due to the coronavirus pandemic such as drivethrough picnics, where attendees driving through a parking lot would receive a packaged lunch and information on the U.S. Census.
According to the 2020Census.gov website, Michigan is now tied with Nebraska for fourth place in the country
for census response rates. The national average of responses is 59%, but Michigan is at 65.8%
Within the state, Macomb County is in second place behind Livingston County.
The census is considered critical to funding for counties, cities, townships and villages.
The decennial federal count is used to determine the funding each state receives for essential services such as public safety, health care, education and infrastructure. In 2016, Michigan received almost $30 billion in federal funding, including $16 billion for health programs, $5 billion for education, $2.3 billion for food assistance programs, $1.5 billion for housing assistance and $1.1 billion for highway planning and construction.
“During the coronavirus emergency, residents now realize the importance of government and public service,” Cawvey said.
County officials say they are planning a “full-court press” to moving forward getting as many residents as possible to fill out the census forms, which takes less than 15 minutes and doesn’t require the submission of any personal information.
One promotional event includes walkable outreach visits to various mobile home communities, traditionally areas that have lower than average response rates, to urge residents to respond.
Participants will receive some type of gift such as home goods or hygiene packs along with the forms. Working in conjunction with the census’ Macomb
Regional Field Office, computer gift cards will be distributed for families that don’t have computers in their homes.
There also is a targeted digital advertisement campaign aimed at residents in communities that have lower responses, Cawvey said. For example, people in cities with lower response rates may see ads about the census pop up when they log onto Youtube or Google.
“We’re in a really good position leading the pack and we’re not done yet,” Cawvey said.
Among Macomb County communities, Macomb Township is now the clear leader, overtaking Armada Township, the former top responder.
Here are county communities and their response rates as of Friday:
• Macomb Township 85
• Richmond Township - 84.3
• Sterling Heights - 80.8
• Armada Township 80.5
• Ray Township - 81.1
• New Baltimore - 80.3
• Fraser - 81
• St. Clair Shores - 79.7
• Washington Township - 79.7
• Chesterfield Township - 78.9
• Bruce Township - 78.4
• Richmond - 78
• Romeo - 76.6
• Shelby Township - 76.4
• Armada - 75.7
• Center Line - 75.4
• Clinton Township 74.2
• Warren - 73.9
• Roseville - 73.9
• Eastpointe - 73.8
• Lenox Township - 73.1
• New Haven - 71.6
• Utica - 70.1
• Harrison Township 68.9
• Mount Clemens - 67.8