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Richmond census response rate falls behind National average

Watchdog concerned over Census Bureau's vetting of workers
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RICHMOND, Va. -- The Virginia Census response rate has surpassed the National rate, but the numbers in the City of Richmond tell a different story.

As of July 19, Richmond has a current self-response rate of 57.2%, falling below the state rate at 66.9% and the national rate of 62.1%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Richmond joins the City of Norfolk (59.1%) which also falls below the state and national response rate.

More than $675 billion in federal funds and trillions of dollars over the next decade, will be attached to population counts in the 2020 Census. Data from the 2020 Census will impact funding for resources like schools, libraries, public safety and more.

"Communities that are undercounted risk missing out on federal funding for an array of critical programs and services, including housing, transportation, health care, education, and emergency response," said the U.S. Census Bureau in a release.

The Census Bureau is urging residents to respond to the 2020 Census on their own so fewer census takers need to visit non-responding households.

To take the 2020 Census, click here.

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