Michigan stands to lose $1,800 in federal funding per person not counted in Census 2020, every year for 10 years.

Unfortunately, several communities are at risk of being under counted in the census, including people of color, low-income families, renters, people living in rural areas and children under the age of 5.

Nationally, about one million young children, or 5 percent of those under the age of 5, were not counted in the 2010 census, making them the largest undercounted age group in the last census.

The census data directly guides federal funding for school districts and programs such as Head Start, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and free or reduced school breakfast and lunch programs. Therefore, when children aren’t fully counted such necessary programs don’t receive the necessary funding to serve young children.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, common situations where young children aren’t counted includes children who are:

• Splitting time between two homes.

• Living in a lower income household.

• Living in a household where they’re not supposed to be for one reason or another.

• Living in a household with young parents or a young, single mom.

• Living in a non-English or limited English speaking household.

• Living in a household of recent immigrants or foreign-born adults.

The Census Bureau has shared messaging for families and individuals about the importance of participating and getting kids counted.

• If a child is splitting time between homes, families or caregivers should count where the child stayed on Census Day, April 1.

• The bureau has a legal commitment to keep census responses confidential and says it will never share information with immigration enforcement agencies or law enforcement agencies or allow the information to determine eligibility for government benefits.

• The census counts all people living or staying at an address, not just the person or family who rents or owns the property.

• Non-English-speaking individuals are encouraged to self-respond to the census. The online form and phone line will be available in 13 languages. Language guides will be available in 59 languages.

As CMF has reported, through the Michigan Nonprofits Count Campaign, led by the Michigan Nonprofit Association and supported by and leveraging the expertise of many CMF members, customized messaging for hard-to-count communities in Michigan will be deployed through grassroots organizations doing on-the-ground outreach in the coming months.

Want more?

Check out the new resource from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Connect with the Michigan Nonprofits Count Campaign.