While the 2020 Census Day is April 1, the City of Daytona Beach isn’t wasting any time in engaging our community to ensure all residents are counted.
Conducted every 10 years, census data is used to determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds for health care, housing, infrastructure and other programs are distributed throughout the country. The census also determines how congressional seats are allotted to states across the U.S.
Starting mid-March 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, residents should respond in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.
Ways of responding added in 2020
In previous censuses, the primary method of responding to the census was to receive a questionnaire in the mail…complete it and mail it back. However, for the 2020 Census, the Internet will be the primary method for households to self-respond. The secondary method of responding to the 2020 Census is via a toll-free number. A traditional questionnaire will be automatically sent to households that have not responded by April 8.
In 2010, Daytona Beach’s response was 66% —which was among the lowest response rates in Volusia County. Our goal for 2020 is to reach at least a 75% response rate.
Complete Count Committee
The city is recruiting volunteers to serve on our Complete Count Committee. The committee and its subcommittees (businesses, colleges & universities, community/social organization, education, faith-based organizations, housing and millennial outreach) are responsible for analyzing previous census data, mobilizing resources and recommending outreach strategies for residents living in hard-to-count communities.
There will be a kick-off meeting for people interested in serving on the Complete Count Committee on Thursday, October 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Police Headquarters, 129 Valor Blvd.
For more information on how to participate, please contact Assistant City Manager Betty Goodman by email or at (386) 671-8203.
For additional information, please visit this website for Daytona Beach Counts.