San Marcos lags behind in census self-response rate

San Marcos currently has the lowest self-response rate in Hays County for the 2020 Census.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that only 40.3% of San Marcos residents have responded to this year’s census. The statewide self-response rate is at 53.9% as of Thursday, while Hays County’s response rate is 52.8%.

Participation in this year’s census is mandated in the U.S. Constitution. For the first time, the census form can be filled out online at https://my2020census.gov. The census can also be filled out by phone by calling 844-330-2020 for English or 844-468-2020 for Spanish. Those wishing to fill out the census in another language visit https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html. The census can also be filled out by mail.

Hays County Commissioner Precinct 1 Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, who serves as a co-chair of the Hays County Census Complete Count Committee, said county residents were undercounted in 2010 and she would like to see everyone living within the county respond to this year’s census.

“Our goal is to reach out to everyone in all parts of Hays, including those areas with traditionally hard to count populations,” Ingalsbe said. “We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to be counted.”

The county relies on accurate census data to help fund programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, Highway Planning & Construction, Federal Pell Grant, Head Start, National School Lunch, Section 8 Housing Vouchers, WIC, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, CDBG Disaster Recover Grants, Historic Preservation Fund, Small Business Development Grants, Violence Against Women Grants, Emergency Food Assistance Program, Assistance to Firefighters Grant and Public Housing Capital Fund.

“Getting an accurate count has never been more important,” said County Judge Ruben Becerra, who is also a co-chair of the county’s complete count committee. “Our county will need our fair share of the billions of dollars of federal funding, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. But, if only 50% of our residents are being counted, we will only get half of what we are entitled to if we don’t keep pushing for a higher count.”

Mountain City, which has a population of approximately 670, leads the response rate in Hays County at 84%.

“Mountain City has taken efforts to increase participation in the completion of the census,” Mayor Ralph McClendon said in a statement. “We have sent out various electronic communications and videos to our citizens. We also update them on our current percentage of completion and encourage them to complete their census.”

The Village of Bear Creek is close behind at 72.5%. The rates for other cities with the county are as follows: Hays 68.8%; Buda 67.6%; Kyle 60.7%; Dripping Springs 57.7%; Woodcreek 57%; Wimberley 52.1%; Uhland 50.4%; and Niederwald 48.2%.

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