Census Resource Toolkit for Georgia’s Public Libraries

The information on this page will help you prepare for the 2020 United States census.

The 2020 Census will be the first in its 230-year history that can be taken online, and libraries will need to be prepared and engaged to ensure an inclusive and complete count of our nation’s residents.

American Libraries Magazine

Census Response Rates

The 2020 Census is underway. Keep tabs on how many households in your community have responded with this map of self-response rates from across the country.

census response rate map

The Census – At a Glance

  • Who: Every single person who lives in Georgia
  • What: A snapshot of the total number of people living in the nation every 10 years
  • When: Wednesday, April 1st, 2020
  • Where & How: Submissions are taken online or by mail

The 2020 Census and Confidentiality

Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about individuals, households, or businesses, even to law enforcement agencies.

Download a copy of the 2020 Census and Confidentiality fact sheet.

Public Libraries + 2020 Census Partnership

According to the American Library Association, a public library is located within five miles of 99% of hard-to-count census tracts identified with the lowest response rates in 2010 – and 73% of the time a library is located within one mile.

What can the library do to help?

  • Participate in Complete Count Committees
  • Prepare for increased use of library computers and the internet
  • Help community members apply for census jobs
  • Fight misinformation, disinformation, and scams
  • Provide information about participation in the 2020 Census—particularly among hard-to-count populations

Libraries can:

  • Provide free access to the internet and public computers. For some residents, it may be their only access to the online world.
  • Deliver information about the Census and host community outreach activities.
  • Serve as trusted messengers, including in hard-to-count communities.
  • Provide affordable temporary workspaces for Census Bureau field staff, including for hiring and training events.
  • Train data users and provide access to Census statistics for businesses and community members.

Census social media kit

Help spread the word on social media about the importance of the census and how participation helps our communities. Here are a few suggested messages to share. You can also follow and share posts from @gacensus2020

If it applies, please add: You can also use our library wi-fi in our parking lot!

Share a poster from here: https://census.georgia.gov/desktop-printable-marketing-materials

  • Ensuring an accurate #Census2020 count is important for our community’s planning and future.

Please add this image:

Check out more social media posts and graphics in the Census 2020 social media kit, created by Voices for Georgia’s Children, Georgia Family Connection Partnership, and the Georgia Department of Education.

ccc census toolkit thumbnail

Census Promo Videos

A collection of 15- or 30-second videos encouraging Georgians to participate in the 2020 census that can be easily shared on social media.

Download the videos

census in georgia promo video screenshot

Census Talking Points

Use these talking points to help Georgians understand the importance of the census and how their participation helps their communities. Source: Georgia Municipal Association.

Census data is used for:

  • federal, state, and local funding distributions
  • intergovernmental agreements
  • drawing state and federal legislative districts
  • school districts
  • congressional reapportionment.

2010 Census impact in Georgia

  • As a result of the 2010 population count, Georgia gained a congressional seat.
  • The census ensures that Georgians receive their appropriate share of over $675 billion in federal aid that is distributed to state and local governments using Census numbers every year.
  • The 2010 Census yielded a count of 9,687,653 people in Georgia and provided the state with $15.88 billion.
  • Each Georgian that participated in the 2010 Census effectively brought $1,639.10 to the state.

County Level Census Data Maps

The Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning has created data maps for all of Georgia’s 159 counties. These maps includes current population data, response rates for the 2010 Census, percentage of households that lack access to the internet and other information that can be helpful to outreach campaigns to promote participation in the census.

Photo of Georgia county level census data map

Census Activities for Kids

Use these activity sheets to help kids learn about the census.

Census FAQs

Download a copy of these bullet points from census.georgia.gov (PDF)

When is it?

Census Day is April 1st , 2020.

  • Everyone who is born on or before is to be counted, no matter their age, race, income, etc. Everyone born or alive on April 1 st , 2020 or before is to be counted.

What is it?

The census allows the Census Bureau produces subnational estimates for use in the allocation of funds to state, county and local governments:

  • Government Funding (SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, FMAP, Pell Grant, School Breakfast/Lunch Programs, TANF, Head Start, Special Education, Highway Planning, and much more).
  • Seats in the U.S. Congress are allocated by population and can be gained or lost.
  • The Census is used to draw representative voting precincts. (includes Georgia legislative
    districts, county commission, city council districts, school board, etc.). Data is also used for investment, housing, safety, and learning about individual communities.

How Do I Complete the Census?

  • The 2020 Census can be completed online through a safe and secure website.
  • If you do not self-respond to the survey, a Census enumerator will stop by your home.
  • If you do not have internet access, the survey can be completed over the phone or by paper.

Is the Census Secure?

  • Your answers are not public, and will not be public, until 2092 (72 years) by law. No government agency has access to any of your identifiable information.
  • The Census is using a new web-based, paperless form to easily and quickly receive everyone’s information. This site was developed with the help of security experts to ensure the safety of everyone’s information.