Low Census Completion in Midwest City Means Possible Loss of Federal Funding for Roads, Education and More

The time for residents of Midwest City to complete the 2020 Census is running out.

At the present time, Midwest City has a completion rate of 68.4% according to Terri Craft, Grants Manager for the City of Midwest City. Oklahoma ranks among the Bottom 10 nationally for its response rate.

The Census deadline for data collections is coming up on September 30, a month early and the final report will be presented to the president by December 31.

Census data determines how more than $675 billion in federal funds will be distributed to states each year in the decade following the Census. These funds help states build roads, hospitals, public works projects, schools and determine Oklahoma’s representation in the U.S. Congress.

After the 2010 Census, Oklahoma lost out on roughly $1.8 billion in federal funding and had the second lowest response rate of all 50 states. As a result of the low response to the 2000 Census, Oklahoma lost a congressional seat.

This year, Oklahoma stands to lose $16,750 per resident until 2030. That means a family of four that goes uncounted is a loss of $67,000 in federal funding over the next 10 years.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the government is only now deploying Census workers to visit homes of residents who have not completed the survey.  

“If you haven’t completed the 2020 Census, we urge you to please do that before September 30. Our community and state are counting on us,” said Craft.

For information on how to respond to the 2020 Census, visit 2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020.

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9/21/2020