HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3City of Lakeville
Administration Department
Memorandum
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Tierney Helmers, Communications Manager
Copy: Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator
Justin Miller, City Administrator
Date: February 24, 2020
Agenda Item: 2020 Census Communications
Earlier this year the city council identified census outreach as a council goal for 2020. In March
most households will receive an invitation in the mail to complete the census form. Every
household will have the option of responding online, by mail or by phone. Most areas of the
country are likely to respond online.
The invitation to complete the census form will be staggered by the U.S. Postal Service over several
days, so they can spread out the responses online and they can better serve those needing help over
the phone. Areas for those less likely to respond online will receive a paper questionnaire along
with their invitation. If the initial letter is missed, every household that doesn’t respond will receive
a reminder and eventually a paper questionnaire. In any case, if households do not respond, there
will be follow-up in person.
The U.S. Census has made several supporting toolkits available for us to use as reminders,
including social media graphics, infographics, images and PSA videos. We have started (as of
February 3) to run these on social media, as well as our public and our government television
stations. We will publish the schedule on our website as a news item. We plan to print off posters
for our City buildings and plan to print a feature in our bi-weekly newspaper advertisement using
their provided infographics.
The U.S. Census has three important messages they are focusing on: responding is important,
responding is safe and responding is accessible for everyone.
Schedule of events by the U.S. Census Bureau
On or between Activity
March 12-20 An invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census. (Some households
will receive a paper questionnaire.)
March 16-24 A reminder letter.
April 1 Census Day (National reminder)
For those who haven’t responded:
March 26-April 3 A reminder postcard.
April 8-16 A reminder letter and paper questionnaire.
April 20-27 A final reminder postcard before follow-up in person.
April Census takers also visit college campuses and senior centers.
May-July Census takers will visit homes that haven’t responded.
Staff is will be available at the work session to review the above information. More information can
also be found at 2020census.gov.